PORTLAND, a seaport-town of the United States of North
America, in the state of Maine, stands on the W. shore of
Casco Bay, 60 miles S.S.W. of Augusta, and 105 N.E. of
Boston, N. Lat. 43. 4., W. Long. 70. 46. It is built on
what was originally an island, but is now connected with
the continent by a neck of land only a few yards wide. It
is about 3 miles in length from E. to W., and terminates
at the E. in Munjoy, and at the W. in Bramhall's Hill, the
former 156 and the latter 171 feet above the sea. Be-
tween these two eminences there is an elevated ridge, along
which runs the principal street of the town. A broad street
lined with wharves extends along the edge of the water for
about 2 miles, and is intended to be continued round the
whole peninsula. The houses of Portland, which are for
the most part of brick, are regularly built, and many of the
streets are very elegant. The beauty of the town is also
much enhanced by the many shady trees which grow in
different parts of it. Of these there are, it is calculated, no
fewer than 3000 in all. One of the most conspicuous edi-
fices is the custom-house, which is three storeys high, sur-
mounted by a dome 75 feet above the ground, and adorned
in front with a portico of eight fine columns. The city-hall
and court-house are both handsome buildings. There are
in all 26 churches in Portland belonging to various sects,
and most of them built of wood. The number of schools
in the town and neighbourhood is 25, with 57 teachers and
an average attendance of 3600 pupils; and the sum devoted
to the purposes of education in 1852-3 was L.4272. Port-
land has several scientific and literary associations, the chief
of which are the Society of Natural History, numbering
about 275 members, and possessing an excellent museum;
and the Athenæum, which has a library of 8000 volumes.
The town contains 6 banks and 11 newspaper offices. The
manufactories of Portland comprehend a large sugar estab-
lishment, covering 1½ acres of ground, and employing about
200 hands; the Portland Company, for the manufacture of
locomotive steam-engines, railway carriages, and all kinds
of machinery. The latter was established in 1847, em-
ployed in 1854 about 325 hands, and had built up to that
date 90 railway locomotives, besides steam-boat engines
and other pieces of machinery. Ship-building is another
branch of industry extensively carried on at Portland. The
number of vessels built in the district during the year 1854
was 40, tonnage 30,195. The total shipping of the port,
June 30, 1852, was 77,575 tons registered, and 28,403 tons
enrolled and licensed. In that year there entered the port
from foreign countries 384 vessels, tonnage 57,610; and
there cleared for foreign countries 443 vessels, tonnage
69,893. The commerce of Portland is extensive and rapidly
increasing. The total value of the exports in 1854 was
L.627,985; and of the imports, L.650,970. The harbour
of Portland is very good. It is easy of access, not being
obstructed by any bar, and it is safe and well sheltered.
Vessels of the largest size can enter or leave the harbour
at all states of the tide; and there are numerous wharves
and piers accessible for vessels drawing from 18 to 28 feet.
Portland is connected by railway with Boston, and the other
great cities of the United States on the one hand, and with
Quebec, Montreal, and Toronto on the other. It has there-
fore a very advantageous position for commercial purposes;
and to this position it owes not a little of its advancement
and prosperity. The total amount of real and personal
estate at Portland in 1857 was valued at L.4,661,180.
Pop. (1850) 20,819; (1855) 27,090.