Portland Oregon, The City of Roses

Portland, also known as The City of Roses, straddles the Willamette River, dividing the city into an Eastside and Westside. The city is surrounded by forests, punctuated by an extinct volcano and contains 9,400 acres of parks. The largest urban wilderness park in America, Forest Park, consists of 5,000 acres of forest with hiking and biking trails as well as pastures and stunning views of the Portland landscape. The Portland metropolitan area includes Multnomah, Washington and Clackamas Counties.

Portland, with all its outdoor and environmental influences, is an urban city with a population of around two million in the tri-county area. The city is home to an NBA team, the Trailblazers. Portland is regularly voted one of the country's most livable, cleanest, greenest and best cycling cities. Portland is noted for its relaxed and laid-back pace and for its progressive politics. The hi-tech industry began in the area in 1946 and thrives today. Local employers include Intel, Tektronix and Nike. There is no sales tax and no matter what vehicle you drive, car registration is around $37 for two years.

Downtown Portland, alive and thriving, is laced with urban parks amid innovative and historical architecture. The downtown area is the cultural center of the region with a world-class symphony, ballet, opera, art galleries, museums, theater, clubs and brew-pubs. City and government buildings co-exist with office buildings, restaurants, shops, banks, hotels, theaters and department stores, as well as multi-story apartment buildings and lofts.

Typical transportation modes are in place, including Tri-Met City Buses and MAX (Metropolitan Area Express trains) which make traveling the city easy. Vintage trolleys run on prescribed routes, including a convenient fareless square through the downtown core area. Traffic grids are easy to follow and bridges enable convenient Eastside/Westside travel.

The climate in Portland is mild with a temperature range of 70-90 degrees in summer and 35-45 degrees in winter. Portland experiences many cloudy days, but the average rainfall is 37 inches per year which is less than many other cities in the country. Snowfall averages 2 inches per year.

Portland is divided into five sections: Southwest, Northwest, North, Northeast and Southeast. Each section is rich in its own history and culture and contributes to the diverse vibe that benefits the city.

Another benefit to the City of Portland is its proximity to outstanding recreation opportunities. Drive 75 miles west to the Pacific Ocean and enjoy beach activities, including surfing. Drive 70 miles east to Mt. Hood and enjoy world-class skiing. Drive one hour east along in the Columbia River Gorge to Hood River for spectacular wind surfing. A short drive Southwest of Portland you're in wine country and able to enjoy the beauty of many vineyards and wine tasting. Oregon truly holds something for everyone.

Topics: Portland, Oregon, downtown Portland, Portland weather, Portland neighborhoods