GPS Coordinates: 44.5629509, -123.3537484

REGIONS > WESTERN OREGON > WILLAMETTE VALLEY​
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Portland is the largest city in the state of Oregon with a population of approximately 2.3 million residing in the city limits and surrounding metropolitan area. The city is located at the north end of the Willamette Valley at the confluence of the Willamette and Columbia Rivers.

The area was originally settled in the 1830s by Euro-American pioneers following the Oregon Trail. Due to the proximity of the rivers and moderate climate, the area was ideal for agriculture and the surrounding forest and woodlands provided plenty of lumber for new building projects. The city became renowned for its cultivation of roses and is often referred to as “The City of Roses.” The two adjacent rivers offered an efficient transportation route for raw materials and people and in its early days Portland became known as a rough, frontier port town.

During the mid-twentieth century, the city’s reputation softened as it became a leader in both environmental and social activism. Today, Portland is regularly voted one of the most popular and livable cities in the United States.

Exploring the Portland Area:

Representative Species of the Portland Area:

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