ortsmouth, Virginia. Founded in 1752, this historic seaport community with 85 miles of shoreline is located at the mid-point of the U.S. Atlantic Coast. Portsmouth is part of the Port of Hampton Roads, the world's largest natural harbor and one of the busiest ports in the United States. It is also home to Mile Marker Zero on the Intracoastal Waterway, which stretches from Maine to Florida.
   The view from Portsmouth's Olde Towne into the Hampton Roads harbor has changed significantly during the past 255 years. Passing Spanish galleons have given way to U.S. Navy battleships, aircraft carriers, cargo ships and luxurious cruise ships.
   Portsmouth's working waterfront is the birthplace of the Norfolk Naval Shipyard, one of the nation's oldest and largest shipyards. The Portsmouth Naval Hospital, established in the 1830's, is the Navy's oldest continuously operating medical hospital. Both, still in operation, are important landmarks of the city's past – and its future.
   Portsmouth is making a name for itself nationally and internationally. The newest import/export gem on the East Coast is now open for business on 557 acres of waterfront property. APM Terminals Virginia Inc., one of the world's largest operators of container ports, opened a $500-million-state-of-the-art terminal in July 2007, representing the single largest private investment in Hampton Roads history and the 8th largest on record in Virginia. This port facility has a 4,000-foot wharf, 10 new ship-to-shore cranes and on-dock rail tracks to efficiently unload vessels and is the most technologically advanced terminal in the world.
   APM Terminals Virginia, Inc., along with upcoming port expansions by the Virginia Port Authority, will double the existing cargo capacity of Hampton Roads, making Portsmouth a leading gateway to international shipping.
   This unique combination of a deep-water shipping channel, the Norfolk International Airport, and convenient access to national rail and interstate networks, makes Portsmouth a transportation crossroads.
   Throughout the city, Empowerment, Enterprise, Foreign Trade and HUB zones offer enticing advantages. Foreign Trade Zone No. 20, operated by the Virginia Port Authority, includes PortCentre Commerce Park, a 60-acre office and light industrial park located in downtown.
   Today, Portsmouth has identified the maritime industry as a major part of city-wide, long-term planning initiatives, and city leaders continue to seek out additional maritime related companies to be part of Portsmouth, the port city of the future.