Vancouver (population 161,791) is a U.S. city located within the state of Washington. It is situated on the bank of the Columbia River, and serves as the seat of Clark County. It is part of the Portland-Vancouver metropolitan area, the 23rd-largest metropolitan area in the country. It is the 4th biggest city in Washington State.
Named after the British Royal Navy officer, Captain George Vancouver, Vancouver has the same name as the city in Canada, that is situated around 491 km north within the province of British Columbia. Vancouver, Washington, was incorporated during the year 1857, and Vancouver, B.C. was incorporated 29 later. The city in America is the former location of the historic Fort Vancouver trading post. Because of frequent confusion between the two cities, officials of Vancouver have suggested changing the name back to Fort Vancouver. Other recommendations consist of calling it Old Vancouver, because of the fact that the US city was incorporated first, or Vancouver USA. Many Pacific Northwest residents refer to their city as "Vancouver USA" or "Vancouver, Washington". Local nicknames include "Vantucky" and "The 'Couve".
The Vancouver region was first settled by the Chinook people, who had a salmon- and trade-based economy. The Hudson's Bay Company supported trade in fur and timber industry. Inhabitants established agriculture in the area, and eventually a healthy market in prunes, apples and strawberries developed. The town depended on ferry transportation because it was bypassed by the railroad during the latter part of the 1800s. The city of Vancouver developed around Washington Street where ferries arrived. Early developments consisted of a large spruce mill. By the year 1908 a railroad swing bridge was built across the Columbia. This allowed the development of the Standifer Shipyard, which prospered during WWI. During the 1940s, the construction of the Bonneville Dam and the Interstate Bridge helped spark an industrial boom, including a shipyard and paper mill.
Heavy industry declined within the area as soon as logging had depleted the old growth forests and high tech businesses and service companies started to became important sources of employment in the city of Vancouver. The city is the home of The Holland and Nautilius, Inc. Many people choose to reside in the city and commute to the city of Portland for work. Proximity to the city of Portland makes Vancouver a desirable community for retirees, who also like the fact that there is no state income tax within the state of Washington. Downtown Vancouver has numerous independent, small companies.