Portland is the largest city in the state of Oregon. Portland is home of a vibrant downtown across the Willamette River with charming neighborhoods and a friendly, small town atmosphere. Named the "City of Roses", Portland is characterized by a climate that is ideal for growing them. Its climate is marked by warm, dry summers and chilly, rainy winters. Portland's cityscape derives much of its character from the numerous bridges that span the Willamette River downtown, several of which are historical landmarks, and Portland has been nicknamed "Bridgetown" for many decades as a result.