Portland, Oregon, United States. History, Economy, Climate
Portland, the City of Roses, is the largest city in Oregon and the second largest city in the Pacific Northwest after Seattle. It is a major port in the Willamette Valleyregion of the Pacific Northwest, at the confluence of the Willamette and Columbia rivers. The city is noted for its scenic beauty, great outdoors environment, a large number of microbreweries, and its eco-friendly urban planning policies.
Portland is frequently recognized as one of the world's most environmentally consciouscities because of its high walkability, large community of bicyclists, farm-to-table dining, expansive network of public transportation options, and over 10,000 acres (4,000 hectares) of public parks.
LOCATION
The city covers 145 square miles. Portland is the largest city lying between San Francisco and Seattle.
Portland is 60 miles (97 km) east of the Pacific Ocean at the northern end of Oregon's most populated region, the Willamette Valley. Downtown Portland straddles the banks of the Willamette River, which flows north through the city center and separates the city's east and west neighborhoods. Less than 10 miles (16 km) from downtown, the Willamette River flows into the Columbia River, the fourth-largest river in the United States.
HISTORY
The first European contact in the area came from none other than Lewis and Clark, who sailed along the Columbia River just north of where Portland lies today in 1805; after a year of exploration they finally reached the Pacific Ocean just to the west.
POPULATION
Portland is the 26th most populous city in the United States, and the second-most populous in the Pacific Northwest.
CLIMATE
Portland experiences a temperate climate with both oceanic and Mediterranean features. This climate is characterized by warm, dry summers and cool, rainy winters. Of the three most populated cities within the Pacific Northwest (Seattle, Vancouver, British Columbia and Portland) Portland has the warmest average temperature, the highest number of sunshine hours, and the fewest inches of rainfall and snowfall.
Summers in Portland are warm to hot, dry, and sunny. The months are June, July, August and September. The warmest month is August, with an average high temperature of 27.3 °C. Winters are cool, cloudy, and rainy. The coldest month is December with an average daily high of 7.6 °C, although overnight lows usually remain above freezing.
Its climate is ideal for growing roses, and Portland has been called the City of Roses for over a century.
COMMUNICATION
Portland International Airport (PDX) is located 9 mi (15 km) northeast of downtown on the Columbia River.
GOVERNMENT
The city operates with a commission-based government guided by a mayor and four commissioners as well as Metro, the only directly elected metropolitan planning organization in the United States.
ARCHITECTURE
The city has a lovely blend of historic and modern architecture and many lush parks.
ECONOMY
Portland's location is beneficial for several industries. Relatively low energy cost, accessible resources, north–south and east–west Interstates, international air terminals, large marine shipping facilities, and both west coast intercontinental railroads are all economic advantages.
the steel industry became the city's number one industry for employment. Technology is a major component of the city's economy, with more than 1,200 technology companies existing within the metro. Computer components manufacturer Intel is the Portland area's largest employer, providing jobs for more than 15,000 people
The food, beer, wine and spirits scene is the best on the West Coast and the city has gained a reputation as the Beer and Food Cart Capital of the World. It is, however, still the least expensive large city on the West Coast.