Final answer:
The exact number of people living in the Puget Sound Lowlands in the late 1990s is not provided, but the area was part of a densely populated and culturally diverse Pacific Northwest, influenced by plentiful natural resources that allowed for a high carrying capacity.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the late 1990s, the population of the Puget Sound Lowlands, which is part of the Pacific Northwest, included a large number of people, reflecting the trends of increasing urbanization noted around the world.
However, specific population numbers for the Puget Sound Lowlands during that period are not provided in the reference material. The Puget Sound area is known for its rich natural resources, including salmon, which support the ecosystem and the local economies. These resources also played a significant role in the cultural and social structures of the indigenous peoples of the region.
The area has seen tensions between various groups, especially during the 1980s and 1990s when efforts to protect species, such as the salmon, led to conflicts between environmentalists and workers dependent on industries that might impact these species.