LOCATED IN OREGON at the confluence of the Columbia River and Willamette River , Portland is the state ’ s largest city . Portland is also the second most populous city in the Pacific Northwest . The approximately 640,000 people that make Portland their home are a portion of the more than 2.4mn individuals residing in the city ’ s metropolitan area . This makes it the 25th largest such area in the entire country .

Due to its favorable location , Portland easily lends itself to numerous industries . Energy costs are fairly low , the city boasts large and modern marine terminals and it is also a hub for international air carriers . Portland also has the reputation of being a “ weird ” city . While pundits like to point out the absurdities that sometimes come from the city – the chummy local government and its fixation on artisanal coffee , for example – these same kinds of attributes can also lend themselves to unique businesses that might flounder in other environments . Here , they are

46 February 2018