Portland, Oregon is located in the Pacific Northwest where the Willamette & Columbia rivers meet. Incorporated in 1851 Portland's location with access to the Pacific Ocean & the agricultural area of the Tualatin Valley gave it an advantage over nearby ports & it grew quickly.

Portland is proud of its parks & open spaces. Forest Park is among the largest wilderness parks within city limits in the USA. Portland is also home to Mill Ends Park, the world's smallest park (a two-foot-diameter circle). Washington Park is just west of downtown & is home to the Oregon Zoo, the Portland Japanese Garden & the International Rose Test Garden. 

Portland has a range of performing arts institutions including the Oregon Ballet Theatre, Oregon Symphony, the Portland Opera & a number of theatre stages. 

Portland is well-known for its microbreweries. In the 1980s state law was changed to allow consumption of beer on brewery premises. Microbreweries & brewpubs began to pop up around the city. There are 28 breweries within the city, more breweries than any other city in the country.

Portland is home to the Trail Blazers of the NBA & in 2011 will host a Major League Soccer franchise. Running is a popular sport in the metro area & Skiing & snowboarding are also popular, with a number of nearby resorts on Mount Hood.