Yakima is a city within Washington State, United States. Nearby is Snoqualmie National Forest and Mount Ranier National Park. Yakima serves as the county seat of Yakima County. The city has a population of 91,196, making it the 8th most densely inhabited city in the state. The metropolitan area of the city has a population of approximately 243,200.
Greater Yakima includes the unincorporated suburban areas of West Valley and Terrace Heights, all situated within the Yakima Valley. The Valley is a fertile area producing some of the best apples in the globe. The valley is a key wine- and hops-producing region. About 75 percent of all hops grown in the nation are grown around Yakima.
Southeast and south of Yakima lies the Yakama Indian Reservation. The Yakama people first settled the valley. Explorers Clark and Lewis arrived in the region during the year 1805. Their reports of abundant wildlife and fertile soil encouraged homesteaders to settle here. During the year 1847, a Catholic Mission was built in southwest of present-day Yakima. Conflicts between the people of Yakima and the settlers escalated into the Yakama Indian War of the year 1855. In response, the U.S. Army established a fort during the year 1856 near the existing location of White Swan. The Yakamas were defeated by the army and the Yakama Indian Reservation was created.
Agriculture has traditionally been the economic foundation of Yakima City. Abundant fruit crops, like for instance pears, peaches, apples, cherries and melons, are grown in the valley. Vegetables, such as peppers, corn and beans, grow well here. Plenty of workers who came to pick, process and market the valley's agricultural produce stayed to become residents. Agricultural support services and agriculture provide a considerable number of jobs.
Downtown Yakima has changed considerably ever since the late 1990s. The retail core of the region has shifted from downtown Yakima to Union Gap, a city that lies to the south of Yakima within Yakima County. The department stores and a shopping mall of the city have been replaced with numerous hotels and call centers. Union Gap is where people go to shop now, in large big-box stores. Yakima plans to revive its downtown area with venues for entertainment, and a more personal type of shopping experience.