Here is a more detailed breakdown of their geographic distribution:
1. Washington State:
- Puget Sound region: This area includes Seattle and the surrounding islands.
- Olympic Peninsula: The Salish tribes occupied the eastern portion of the peninsula.
2. Oregon State:
- Columbia River Basin: The Salish tribes inhabited the lands along the Columbia River, particularly in the southwestern part of the state.
3. British Columbia, Canada:
- Fraser River Basin: The Salish tribes were present in the lower Fraser River Valley and the surrounding areas.
- Vancouver Island: The Salish people had settlements on the eastern coast of Vancouver Island, facing the mainland.
- Gulf Islands: The Salish tribes resided in the Gulf Islands, located between Vancouver Island and the mainland.
4. Additional Territories:
- Some Salish tribes also extended into northern Idaho and western Montana in the United States.
It's worth noting that the Salish people consisted of various tribes, each with its territory, and they had complex relationships and interactions with other indigenous groups in the region.