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Overview

Portland Overview

Portland Oregon's largest city is encircled by vast forests, dominated by ancient volcanoes and situated at the confluence of two great rivers – the Columbia and the Willamette. It's a cosmopolitan settlement with an easy-going, can-do spirit and a small-town ambience, despite a population of 1.5 million. Perennially near the top of the USA's `most livable cities' list, Portland is known nationally for its progressive politics, relaxed pace and its love of the outdoors and the environment. Downtown Portland is an urban success story - vital, bustling, tree-filled and gregarious. A cap on building height has kept even the most modern areas human-sized and comfortably proportioned and plenty of the architecture is extremely innovative. Northwest is the trendiest district, with plenty of boutiques, galleries, great coffeehouses; the funkiest neighborhoods are in the inner Southeast where `alternative' has become almost mainstream. Portland's highlights include the Old Town, an ungentrified area of 1890s architectural gems that has become popular in recent years as a movie set for period dramas; Portland's Chinatown which has been thriving since the 1880s; the carnival atmosphere at the huge weekend Saturday market near the lovely Skidmore Fountain; the Oregon Maritime Center and Museum which charts Portland's long history as a seaport and shipbuilding center; the Portland Art Museum's exhibit of Northwest Native Indian carvings; and the country's only showcase devoted to the art of promotion - the American Advertising Museum.

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