The Parish of Seattle (pronounced /siːˈætəl/ ; see-AT-əl) is the largest parish in the Democratic Republic of the Pacific, and its capital, Seattle is the largest city in the country and in the Pacific Northwest. Situated on an isthmus between Puget Sound (an arm of the Pacific Ocean) and Lake Washington, about 100 miles (160 km) south of the Canada – California Republic border, it is named after Chief Seattle, of the Duwamish and Suquamish tribes. The major economic, cultural and educational center in the region, Seattle Parish served as a de facto capital of the Pacifican Republic during the Pacifican War.