Located in the state of Washington, Vancouver is part of the Portland-Vancouver metropolitan area. Because of its proximity to and the confusion with the Canadian Vancouver, the unofficial nickname for Vancouver, Washington is "America's Vancouver."
In recent years, Vancouver has revitalized its downtown area. This includes the building of a new hotel, shopping complex, condominiums, library, and downtown area. Vancouver is experiencing rapid rise in population, due to its urban grown and high-density development. Its proximity of Portland and its lack of a state income entice many people to make the move here, and keep local Vancouver movers busy.
History
Vancouver was originally inhabited by Native American tribes, including the Chinook and Klickitat nations. 1775 marked Vancouver's exposure to the Europeans; Lewis and Clark came into the area in 1806. Various diseases affected the population in the area—small pox, measles, malaria, and influenza, wiped out a significant portion of the Native American tribes.
In 1824, Fort Vancouver was established as a fur trading post of the Hudson's Bay Company. The Oregon Treaty, signed in 1846, gave the United States control of the area. In 1857, Vancouver was incorporated as a city.
Tourism
Vancouver is serviced by the Portland International Airport that is four miles from the city.
Vancouver is also known for the display of fireworks at the Fort Vancouver National Historic Site. The display is the largest, west of the Mississippi. The Vancouver Wine and Jazz Festival also occurs annually here, in late august.
Arts group that are located here include, The Old Slocum House Theatre Company, Magenta Theatre, Vancouver OnStage, The New Blue Parrot, and Clark College's theatre department.