By Sean Schoppe

EUGENE, Ore. -- To someone coming in from out of state, it may just be the Eugene-Springfield area. That's certainly how it looks on map anyway. But simple geography doesn't tell the whole story. Just because two cities sit side-by-side does not mean they share everything in common.

As we continue our special in-depth look at Eugene and Springfield, we'll also look at what makes the two cities alike. The two share several common struggles, as well as an ever-growing dependence on each other. And there's a political similarity that might shock you.

Watch: A Tale of Two Cities, Part 1: Stereotypes

Watch: A Tale of Two Cities, Part 2: History of Eugene/Springfield