Downtown Portsmouth, Virginia
| Portsmouth, Virginia | |
|---|---|
| Independent city | |
_up_the_Elizabeth_River,_past_Portsmouth_landmarks.jpg)
Downtown Portsmouth
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|
 Location in the Commonwealth of Virginia |
|
 Portsmouth, Virginia
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| Coordinates: 36°49′59″N 76°17′50″W / 36.832994°N 76.297230°WCoordinates: 36°49′59″N 76°17′50″W / 36.832994°N 76.297230°W | |
| Country |  United States |
| State |
 Virginia
|
| County | None (Independent city) |
| Founded | 1752 |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | John Rowe |
| Area | |
| • Total | 120 km2 (47 sq mi) |
| • Land | 90 km2 (34 sq mi) |
| • Water | 30 km2 (13 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 6 m (20 ft) |
| Population (2010) | |
| • Total | 95,535 |
| • Density | 780/km2 (2,000/sq mi) |
| Time zone | EST (UTC-5) |
| • Summer (DST) | EDT (UTC-4) |
| Area code(s) | 757 |
| FIPS code | 51-64000 |
| GNIS feature ID | 1497102 |
| Website | http://www.portsmouthva.gov/ |
Portsmouth is an independent city located in the U.S. commonwealth of Virginia. As of the 2010 census, the population was 95,535. It is part of the Hampton Roads metropolitan area.
The Norfolk Naval Shipyard, often called the Norfolk Navy Yard, is a historic and active U.S. Navy facility that is actually located in Portsmouth rather than Norfolk; the original name "Gosport" was changed to "Norfolk" to reflect its location in Norfolk County, VA. The shipyard upgrades, remodels, and repairs ships of the US Navy and is one of the few facilities in the world with the capability to dry dock an aircraft carrier.
Directly opposite Norfolk, the city of Portsmouth also has miles of waterfront land on the Elizabeth River as part of the harbor of Hampton Roads. There is a ferry boat that takes riders back and forth across the water between Downtown Norfolk and Olde Towne Portsmouth.
Portsmouth is located on the western side of the Elizabeth River directly across from the City of Norfolk. In 1620, the future site of Portsmouth was recognized as suitable shipbuilding location by John Wood, a shipbuilder, who petitioned King James I of England for a land grant. The surrounding area was soon settled as a plantation community.
Portsmouth was founded by Colonel William Crawford, a member of the Virginia House of Burgesses. It was established as a town in 1752 by an act of the Virginia General Assembly and was named for Portsmouth, England.
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