- Vanuatu (English: /ˌvɑːnuˈɑːtuː/ VAH-noo-AH-too or /vænˈwɑːtuː/ van-WAH-too; Bislama and French pronunciation [vanuatu]), officially the Republic of Vanuatu (French: République de Vanuatu; Bislama: Ripablik blong Vanuatu), is an island country in Melanesia located in the South Pacific Ocean. The archipelago, which is of volcanic origin, is 1,750 km (1,090 mi) east of northern Australia, 540 km (340 mi) northeast of New Caledonia, east of New Guinea, southeast of Solomon Islands, and west of Fiji.
- Snoqualmie Falls (wa100.dnr.wa.gov)
Snoqualmie Falls is a roaring 268-foot tall cascade that falls in more or less one unbroken drop into the Snoqualmie River below. Other waterfalls in the Pacific Northwest are taller, but the 100-foot width of Snoqualmie’s precipice sets it apart. The imposing falls have captivated residents of the valley for hundreds of years. The falls are surrounded by a 2-acre park with two viewing platforms. Located about 30 miles east of Seattle, Snoqualmie Falls is a refreshing spot to visit in the summer but can be equally spectacular in winter when covered in icicles. Just be careful to get there early—the site can be packed with visitors on weekends when the weather is beautiful.
