Portland is located in
Cumberland County, of which it is the county seat, south of
Augusta between
Lewiston and Portsmouth, along Interstate 95 near
Sebago Lake and the Atlantic seacoast.
The population estimate for July 1, 1998 was 62,786, a decrease of 1,371 since 1990.
Portland is the largest city in Maine. It has one of the finest harbors on the Atlantic coast and is closer to Europe than any other transatlantic port in the United States. During World War II, Portland was the base for the North Atlantic Fleet of the United States Navy.
The city is built on a narrow peninsula overlooking island-studded Casco Bay to the east. The city was founded in 1632. It was first known as Machigonne, and later as Falmouth. A great fire destroyed most of the city, but it was soon rebuilt.
Portland is part of the Portland, Maine metro area.
