Portland, Oregon

Portland is the largest city in Oregon, with a municipal population of more than 530,000 people, and a metropolitan-area population of more than 1.5 million, according to the United States Census Bureau. Portland grew as an urban center because of its agricultural base and the nearby timber industry, and preservation of agriculture in the region remains a key goal for planners and other civic leaders.

Portland has been called the most environmentally friendly city in the United States and one of the most environmentally friendly cities in the world; it has also been listed as one of America's most [Page 358]livable cities in several national publications. These accolades may be attributed to the following: