Portland is located 70 miles east of the Pacific Ocean
at the northern end of Oregon's most populated region, the Willamette Valley.
Downtown Portland straddles the banks of the Willamette River which flows north
through the city center, separating the east and west sections of the city
before veering northwest to join with the Columbia River less than 10 miles
from downtown. The Columbia River serves as the natural boundary between the
states of Washington and Oregon and consequently divides the city of Portland
from its most populated suburb Vancouver, Washington. Portland is situated near
the
