Information and History of Portland
Crisscrossed by rivers, mountains and vineyards, Portland offers a wide variety of fun, scenic beauty and culture. Within a few minutes’ drive of downtown Portland are world class Pinot-producing wineries (most with year-round tasting rooms), kayak-friendly waterways, wildlife preserves and Mount Hood. Portland, the Rose City, isn’t your run-of-the-mill urban city. An lively arts community, dozens of urban parks, river walkway and green spaces, a clean and safe downtown complete with an open air plaza that serves as the community’s living room and a state of the art public transportation system all make the Portland experience something you will remember for many years.
- Population - 538,180; 1.95 million in the metropolitan area
- Area - 130 square miles
- Elevation - 173 feet above sea level
- Longitude - 40 miles east of the 122nd meridian west
- Latitude - 30 miles north of the 45th parallel north
- Miles to the Pacific Ocean - 78
- Miles to nearest glacier - 65 (Mount Hood)
- Average temperature - 33.5° (January); 79.5° (July)
- Average Precipitation - 37" (less than Atlanta, Baltimore, Houston or Seattle - and without that nasty humidity)
- Acres of Parks in Metro Area - 37,000, including the 5,000-acre Forest Park
Home of the Trail Blazers, NBA team.
Perhaps you have heard of the scenic beauty or the jazz or the outdoor activities found in Portland. But did you know that in April 2007, the Food Network named Portland The Delicious Destination of the Year, with as the best rising city with a fast-growing food scene. See the Oregon Live Announcenment