Portland, "The City of Roses", is the largest city in Oregon and the second largest city in the Pacific Northwest. It lies about 70 mi 124 km from the Pacific Coast on the northern border of the state of Oregon, straddling the Willamette pronounced will-LAM-et River 12 mi 19 km south of its confluence with the Columbia River. Vancouver, Washington not to be confused with Vancouver, Canada is on the other side of the Columbia River. About 50 mi 80 km to the east lies majestic Mount Hood, which forms the perfect backdrop for Portland's skyline. The city is noted for its scenic beauty, a lively music scene, a large number of microbreweries, and its eco-friendly urban planning policies.
