Thursday, March 12, 2009

The Steel Rose: Portland OR

By James Gilbert Pynn

Portland is one of the many scintillating gems in the emerald crown of the Pacific Northwest. Though overshadowed by Seattle to the north and Vancouver, even farther north, Portland has remained a vibrant, thriving city. It is the third most populous city in the Pacific Northwest, after Seattle and Vancouver, and the largest city in Oregon.

Split by the confluence of the Willamette and Columbia rivers and has been voted one of the fifteen greenest cities in the United States by the Environmental News and Commentary. It is home to approximately two million residents, making it the 23rd most populous metropolitan area in the United States.

Many of the most prodigious manufacturers in the country call Portland home. Among the stellar line up are Nike, Intel, Adidas, and Columbia Sportswear. Although these purveyors of modern American comfort and convenience abound, Portland has historically been known as a steel mill town.

The steel industry was the single most powerful industry by the 1950s. To this day, steel is Portland's bread and butter, with Schnitzer Steel Industries shipping approximately 1 billion tons of scrap to Asia in 2003. Subsequently, the aluminum industry has come to call Portland home as well. Though a friendly city, Portland residents have lodged complaints against the aluminum industry given their preference for green-friendly industries.

Known for its wealth of microbreweries and distilleries, as well as for being the home of the Portland Trail Blazers, Portland manages to register on the national map. Though sports are popular in Portland, the NBA is the only major sports franchise to call the city home. The city is an artistic and cultural pulse point, offering tourists a wealth of museums, galleries, and live venues to enjoy. Subsequently, the Portland hotel scene is vast and accommodating.

About the Author:

No comments: