Portland is the largest city in the U.S. state of Oregon, near the confluence of the Willamette and Columbia rivers. It has a population of 609,000 in 2013, making it the 29th most populous city in the United States and the third most populous city in the Pacific Northwest region (after Seattle, Washington; and Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada). Approximately 2,3 million people live in the Portland metropolitan area (MSA), the 19th most populous MSA in the United States. Located in the Marine west coast climate region, Portland has a climate marked by both warm, dry summers and wet, cool-to-chilly winter days. This climate is ideal for growing roses. For more than a century, Portland has been known as the “City of Roses”, with many rose gardens – most prominently the International Rose Test Garden. The city is also known for its abundant outdoor activities, liberal political values, and beer (Beervana) and coffee enthusiasm. Portland is home to a large number of independent microbreweries, microdistilleries and food carts that contribute to the unofficial slogan “Keep Portland Weird“. read more…