The San Juan archipelago is comprised of three large islands - Lopez Island, Orcas Island and San Juan Island - and over a hundred smaller islands and islets. Verdant and hilly, with both rugged and sandy beaches and breathtaking scenery, each island has its own character. The Coast Salish were the first settlers on the islands. Artifacts from ancient villages can still be found on the islands. Beginning with the late 1700's, the Spanish and British began exploring the Puget Sound area. The first pioneers from the still relatively new U.S. began arriving in the 1800's. Most were farmers, ranchers, and fishermen. For today's visitors, they are an outdoor enthusiast's paradise, offering activities including hiking, camping, golfing, bicycling, sailing, kayaking, fishing, bird watching, whale watching, water skiing, and scuba diving. There are also many great galleries, gardens, vineyards, shops, food, and places to simply hang out. The islands are in the rain shadow of the Olympics, so they have more sunny days than nearby Seattle, which is about two hours away. San Juan Island (population approx. 6,850) is second largest of the group, and home of the county seat, Friday Harbor, which also sites the ferry terminal. It's easy to get around this island with its bus system, taxi service, or moped and bicycle rentals. The island is served by the Washington State Ferry System, several passenger-only ferries, and two local air services. It has numerous parks, campgrounds and historic forts and other sites. No wonder it's a popular destination for Seattleites as well as people from around the world.