Tacoma, city in western Washington and seat of Pierce County. Tacoma is a deepwater port on Commencement Bay, an arm of Puget Sound, at the mouth of the Puyallup River. The city is situated near the foot of Mount Rainier, its most prominent landmark. Tacoma is a manufacturing and shipping center and a hub of an important lumbering region. Possessing an excellent natural harbor, it has grown to become one of the largest ports in the nation. Manufactures include wood, paper products, processed foods, chemicals, and computer components. Nearby McChord Air Force Base and Fort Lewis, a major United States Army post, are also important to the city's economy. The city is linked to the Olympic Peninsula by the Tacoma Narrows Bridge (1950). Air transportation is through Seattle-Tacoma International Airport.
Tacoma is the seat of the University of Puget Sound (1888), Pacific Lutheran University (1890), a campus (established in 1989) of the University of Washington, and two community colleges. The city's museums include the Washington State History Museum, the Tacoma Art Museum, and the Children's Museum of Tacoma. In addition, each of the military bases has a museum on the premises.
