The City of Portsmouth was founded in 1752 and incorporated by the Virginia General Assembly in 1858. Over 250 years old, the city is home to one of the world's greatest natural harbors, situated on the James and Elizabeth Rivers, which empties into the Chesapeake Bay. Portsmouth with a land area of approximately 33-square miles and a population of 96,066 is located in the heart of the Hampton Roads Region. It is bordered by the cities of Chesapeake and Suffolk respectively to the south and west, and by the City of Norfolk to the east. The City of Portsmouth boasts 75.8 miles of shoreline and is home to Mile Marker Zero, of the Atlantic Intercoastal Waterway, that stretches from Maine to Florida. Part of one of the world's largest natural harbors, Portsmouth is just 18-miles from the open sea. Portsmouth's location on navigable waterways has been a dominant force in the City's rich maritime history and economy. Its location on the over 40-feet deep Hampton Roads shipping channel, and the presence of both the CSX and Norfolk Southern Railroads allows Portsmouth to support national and international port commerce activities and the military presence in the region. Portsmouth derives its governing authority from a charter granted by the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Virginia. The governing body of the City is the City Council, which formulates policies for the administration of the City. The City's charter provides for a Council-Manager form of government.

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