Wenatchee

Wenatchee is a city located in Central Washington state on the eastern slopes of the Cascades between Spokane and Seattle and is the county seat of Chelan county. The city is in the Columbia Basin at the confluence of the Wenatchee River and the Columbia River. Wenatchee's climate varies greatly from Seattle and Bellevue as it  is in the rain shadow of the Cascade Mountain range; it has an arid climate and blue skies. Named for the Wenatchi Indian Tribe, Wenatchi means "river which comes from canyons."

Wenatchee was listed in the Top 50 Adventure Towns by National Geographic magazine and is listed among the Best Places to Do Business by Inc. Magazine. Residents have an abundance of sporting and recreational activities for all seasons. On the rivers and lakes, there are places to inner-tube, whitewater raft, and skiing. With easy access to Squilchuck State Park and Mission Ridge, nordic skiing, skiing, snowboarding and snowmobiling are all close by. The city boasts a minor league baseball team and also a North American Hockey League.

There are many dams and hydroelectric plants on the Columbia river and the inexpensive energy have enabled companies like Yahoo! to locate in the Confluence Technology Center in Wenatchee.

Known as the "Apple Capital of the World" for its many apple and cherry orchards, the Wenatchee area also has a burgeoning wine industry. The region employees many workers from migrant farm workers, shippers, packers and marketeers.

Incorporated in 1893, the city covers 7.3 square miles and had 27,856 residents in the 2000 census.

Highways

U.S. Route 2 links Wenatchee to Seattle and Everett, traveling West and Spokane traveling East. U.S. Highway 97 connects Wenatchee to Ellensburg and Yakima heading south and to to Chelan and Okanogan to the North. State Route 28  links Wenatchee to Quincy, Ephrata and Moses Lake.

Schools

Wenatchee School District #246 serves Wenatchee and the surrounding communities of Malaga, Olds Station, South Wenatchee, Sunnyslope and Wenatchee Heights. The district provides the following high school programs: Wenatchee High School, Westside High School, an alternative high school and Valley Academy of Learning, an alternative education program

Wenatchee Valley College provides Associate of arts and sciences degree, Associate of general studies degree, Associate of technical sciences degree.

Central Washington University provides several degree programs located at Wenatchee Valley College campus in Wenatchee including a BAEd Elementary Education, BS Interdisciplinary Studies and MEd Master Teacher as well as a Professional Certificate in Teaching.

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