History of Eugene, Oregon
Eugene is the county seat of Lane County, Oregon|Lane County, Oregon, United States. It is located at the south end of the Willamette Valley, at the confluence of the McKenzie River|McKenzie and Willamette River|Willamette rivers, about 60 miles (100 km) east of the Oregon Coast. Eugene is the third largest city (estimated population 148,595 as of 2006) and has the third largest metropolitan area|metropolitan population in the state of Oregon.{{cite web | title = 2006 Oregon Population Report | publisher = Portland State University Population Research Center | url =http://www.pdx.edu/media/p/r/PRC_Certified_Cities_2006.pdf | format = PDF | accessdate = 2007-01-11}} Eugene had long been the state's second largest city after Portland, Oregon|Portland, but was overtaken by Salem, Oregon|Salem in terms of population around 2004.{{cite web | last = Loh | first = Stephanie | title = Eugene no longer #2 city in Oregon | publisher = Oregon Daily Emerald|date = July 13, 2006 | url= http://www.dailyemerald.com/media/storage/paper859/news/2006/07/13/News/Eugene.No.Longer.2.City.In.Oregon-2131556.shtml?norewrite200608021649&sourcedomain=www.dailyemerald.com | accessdate = 2006-11-13}}
Eugene is home to the University of Oregon. The city is also noted for its natural beauty, activist political leanings, alternative lifestyles, recreation opportunities (especially Cycling|bicycling, rafting, and kayaking), and arts focus. Eugene's motto is "The World's Greatest City of the Arts and Outdoors." It is also referred to as "The Emerald Empire," "The Emerald City," "The People's Republic of Eugene," and "Track Town, USA" or "The Track Capital of the World." The Nike, Inc.|Nike corporation had its beginnings in Eugene.
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