For additional information on the city and surrounding areas, please see Portland State University's Physics Department's website »

Why Portland?

What distinguishes Portland, Oregon, from the rest of America's cityscapes? Or from the rest of the world's urban destinations, for that matter? In a Northwest nutshell: everything. For some, it's the wealth of cultural offerings and never-ending culinary choices; for others, it's Portland's proximity to the ocean and mountains, or simply the beauty of having all these attributes in one place. Strolling through downtown or within one of Portland's numerous neighborhoods, there's an unmistakable vibrancy to this city—one that is encouraged by clean air, infinite trees, and a diverse blend of historic and modern architecture.

The City

Portland is a city located in the Northwestern United States. As of July 2009, it has an estimated population of 582,130 making it the 29^thmost populous in the United States. It has been referred to as the most environmentally friendly or “green” city in the United States, and the 2^ndmost in the World.

Weather

Summers in Portland are warm, sunny and rather dry, with July averaging a high of 81°F (27°C) and a low of 58°F (14°C). See the daily forecast on Weather.com »

Education

Portland is served by six public school districts and many private schools. There are also many colleges and universities- the largest being Portland Community College, Portland State University, and Oregon Health and Science University.

Some images courtesy of Travel Portland