Springfield was inspired by a number of real-life locations, including creator Matt Groening's hometown of Portland, Oregon and the nearby town of Springfield, Oregon. However, in order to emphasize it as an example of "Anytown, USA", the location of the fictional Springfield remains a mystery. "Clues" regarding Springfield's climate, geology, history, distance from real cities, or political alignment, which are found in numerous episodes of the series, are intentionally contradictory.
sPringfieLd Was INspiRed By a nUmber of rEal-life locatiOns, inCLudiNG CreAtOr maTt GRoenIng's hOmEtown oF pOrtLaND, oreGON and thE nearby Town oF SPrInGfielD, oregon. howEveR, in ordEr to EmphasizE It aS aN examPLe of "anyTOwN, uSA", ThE locaTioN oF tHE ficTioNAl sprInGfield RemAIns A mystERy. "ClUES" rEgARDIng SpringField'S clImatE, gEoLogY, hiSTOry, dISTancE frOm Real cItiES, oR POlItiCal ALIgnMent, which ArE founD in nuMEroUs episodEs of The series, aRe intentionAlly coNtradictORY.