The city of Portland covers a land area of 322.2 sq km (124.4 sq mi). The city is at the core of a metropolitan region covering five counties in Oregon (Multnomah, Washington, Clackamas, Yamhill, and Columbia) and one county (Clark) in the state of Washington north of the Columbia River. The region encompasses 13,022 sq km (5028 sq mi) of land. After Portland, the largest cities in the metropolitan area are Gresham, Beaverton, Hillsboro, and Lake Oswego in Oregon, and Vancouver in Washington.
Portland began on the west bank of the Willamette River upstream from its confluence with the Columbia River. The area of first settlement remains the city's business and governmental center. Its best-known public building is the Portland Building (1982), built in the postmodern style. Over the entrance to the Portland Building is an 11-m (35-ft) hammered-copper statue of “Portlandia”. Numerous fountains enliven the city core. The Ira Keller Fountain occupies a city block and reproduces the feel of a mountain stream. Downtown Portland is notable for its tree-lined streets and short blocks, making them convenient and pleasant for pedestrians. In recent years the central business district has spread to the east side of the Willamette. Eight bridges cross the river in the heart of the city, and a modern light-rail system connects the downtown with outlying suburbs.
