Anacortes is a city in Skagit County, Washington, located on Fidalgo Island about 60 miles north of Seattle and separated from the mainland by the Swinomish Channel. It is the only incorporated city on the island and serves as the region's maritime hub, with a working waterfront, a commercial fishing fleet, and a major Washington State Ferries terminal that provides the principal mainland link to the San Juan Islands and Sidney, British Columbia. The city's name is an adaptation of "Anne Curtis," honoring Anne Curtis Bowman, the wife of an early Fidalgo Island settler. Incorporated in 1891, Anacortes grew around fishing, timber, and later petroleum refining. Today its economy is anchored by the Marathon-Anacortes Refinery, the Port of Anacortes, boat building and marine services, and tourism, with the ferry terminal drawing visitors and residents alike. Anacortes' setting is defined by water and mountains. The city overlooks Fidalgo Bay, the Guemes Channel, and the San Juan Islands, with views of Mount Baker and the North Cascades. Deception Pass State Park, at the island's southern tip, and the North Cascades National Park to the east frame the city's recreational landscape, while Cap Sante Marina and the surrounding forested parks give the downtown an intimate, walkable waterfront character. For residents, Anacortes offers a small-city pace with deep maritime roots, strong public land access, and convenient regional connections. State Route 20 links the island to Interstate 5, and the city's neighborhoods range from historic Victorian-era homes near the waterfront to hillside properties with expansive water views. Its blend of working waterfront, outdoor recreation, and island living attracts a mix of families, marine-industry workers, and retirees.