Translation Services in Portland - Economic Profile

The city of Portland with a metropolitan area population of about 2 million people is located in the US state of Oregon, at the junction of the Willamette and Columbia Rivers.

Thanks to its strategic position, Portland has always been a major port for the Pacific Northwest as well as a supply hub for local farming and a regional shipping center. Traditionally, its economy has been based on the lumber industry and manufacturing.

Today, Portland has the third largest port on the West Coast in terms of export, and easy access to the interstate freeway system as well as international air service make the city a major distribution hub. The most important goods produced in Portland are electronics, machinery, food, and transportation equipment.

High technology is one of the city's principal economic sectors. It is home to about 1,200 technology companies including Intel Corporation. Other major companies based in Portland are AVI BioPharma, Air Oregon, Columbia Forests Products, Extensis, NetXposure, The Regence Group, Xplane, Proteogenix, Zidell Companies, and many more.

In addition, Portland is known as a major site for the beer brewing industry and headquarters several breweries such as Widmer Brothers Brewery and Hair of the Dog Brewing Company.

Portland is a renowned destination for cultural tourists and features an array of museums and performing arts institutions such as Oregon Ballet Theater, Oregon Symphony, Portland Opera, Portland Museum, Oregon Museum of Science and Industry. It plays also host to many festivals and events such as the Portland International Beerfest, Spring Beer and Wine Festival, and the Holiday Ale Festival.

Featuring several prestigious institutions of higher education, Portland is a major education center. It is home to Portland State University, Oregon Health and Science Center, Concordia University, Lewis & Clark Law College, Linfield College, Warner Pacific College, Reed College, and many more.

The city has a diverse ethnic makeup. 7% of its population is African American, 7% Hispanic, and 6% Asian. In addition, significant ancestries include German, Irish, English, and Russian.