Named after a local Native American name, meaning either "the sound of birds", "snake", or "little stream"; Issaquah is a city in King County. The population is estimated at 39,509. Located in a valley and bisected by Interstate 90, the city is bordered by the Sammamish Plateau to the north and the "Issaquah Alps" to the south.
Issaquah is home to the headquarters of the multinational retail company, Costco. The presence of both Boeing and Microsoft has significantly affected Issaquah's history, cultural development, and diverse population. Issaquah ranked 6th of 279 eligible incorporated communities in population growth between 2000 and 2005.
Issaquah is surrounded on three sides known as the Issaquah Alps: Cougar Mountain, Squak Mountain, and Tiger Mountain. Issaquah School District operates 28 schools around the Issaquah area, including Issaquah High School, Liberty Senior High School, Skyline High School, and Gibson Ek High School.
The Issaquah Valley Trolley is a project of the Issaquah Historical Society with the aim of starting a regular heritage trolley service on the remaining section of the railroad tracks in downtown Issaquah. It is an Equity theater. Issaquah Salmon Days is a two-day award-winning festival held in Issaquah on the first full weekend of October every year. It is initiated by a parade, celebrates the return of the salmon to their birth waters, and praises Issaquah's history, culture, and ethnic diversity.