Pasco is the county seat of Franklin County, Washington, and the largest of the three Tri-Cities that also include Kennewick and Richland. The city sits at the confluence of the Columbia, Snake, and Yakima rivers in the irrigated Columbia Basin of southeastern Washington, a setting that has defined its economy and character. With a 2020 population of 77,108, Pasco anchors the region's agricultural, transportation, and logistics economy. The rivers are at the heart of Pasco's identity. Sacajawea State Park, a 267-acre day-use area at the mouth of the Snake River, marks the spot where the Lewis and Clark Expedition camped in October 1805, and the park's interpretive center tells the story of that meeting of cultures. The Columbia and Snake rivers also power the region's role as a transportation crossroads: the Port of Pasco operates as a multi-modal inland port moving agricultural commodities by rail, road, water, and air, and both BNSF and Union Pacific railroads maintain a major presence. Pasco's economy is rooted in the rich farmland of the Columbia Basin. Food processing, agriculture, and logistics are central employers, with the Big Pasco industrial area serving as a freight and processing hub. Tri-Cities Airport, located in Pasco, links the region to major West Coast destinations. Interstate 182 and U.S. Highway 395 run through the city, while Interstate 82 connects the Tri-Cities to Seattle and Portland, each about three and a half hours away. The city is home to the Pasco School District, one of Washington's larger and more diverse districts, known for its dual-language programs. Pasco's neighborhoods range from older residential streets near downtown to newer subdivisions spreading across the former farm fields. Riverfront trails, parks, and the region's agricultural abundance round out daily life, giving Pasco a working-city character that is distinct from its two Tri-Cities neighbors.