Pierce County

County of western-central Washington, USA; area 4,338 sq km/1,675 sq mi; population (1990) 586,200. Drained by the White and Puyallup rivers, it is bounded to the south and southwest by the Nisqually River, to the northwest by Puget Sound, to the northeast by Dalco Passage on Puget Sound, and to the north and east by the White, Greenwater, and Little Naches rivers. Parts of Mount Rainier National Park and Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest lie within its borders. Its seat is Tacoma which, with its suburbs, dominates the northern portion of the county. The remainder is a rich agricultural region producing fruit, nuts, flower bulbs, market garden crops, and dairy goods. Pierce also has lumber and coal resources. The large Fort Lewis military reservation lies in its northern section.