The Appalachians are among the 37 places listed
from around the world. Here's a URL to the list:
http://www.press.uchicago.edu/Misc/Chicago/9686397698.html
Rather funny list, really. The criteria for wilderness that they cite for Appalachia is probably only me in Maine and parts of Canada. The list really reflects pretty, scenic areas that are accessible to the normal tourist. I don't think anyone who has walked the lower part of the Appalachian trail would claim they were walking through wilderness. With the daily crossings of roads, cell phone towers, shelters (some where you can get a pizza delivered), fences, cow pastures, etc. etc, the AT is not wilderness. And, this is about as wild as it gets in lower Appalachia.
Besides, hanging a label of wilderness on the entire Pacific Northwest seems rather silly. It is a nice place to visit, though.