Vancouver is a historic and rapidly growing city along the Columbia River, directly across from Portland, Oregon. Its roots trace to 1825, when the Hudson’s Bay Company established Fort Vancouver as a fur trading post and regional supply center. Today, Vancouver blends its heritage with modern development, serving as a major urban hub within the Portland metropolitan area. The Vancouver Waterfront Park has revitalized the riverfront with dining, tasting rooms, riverside trails, and the striking Grant Street Pier. The Fort Vancouver National Historic Site and the Victorian homes of Officers’ Row preserve the city’s past. WSU Vancouver and Clark College anchor higher education. Downtown Vancouver centers on Esther Short Park, home to a popular farmers market and summer concerts, and Oregon’s sales-tax-free shopping is just across the river. Interstates 5 and 205 connect the city to Portland and Portland International Airport.