The county is situated in the northeastern corner of Washington and was originally part of Stevens County. Newport is the largest city in Pend Oreille County and is nestled along the Pend Oreille River at the Washington-Idaho border approximately 40 miles north-east of Spokane. Content Courtesy of City of Newport. Other communities in the area include Cusick, Usk, Ione, Metaline, Metaline Falls, and Tiger. As the largest city in the county, Newport became the county seat. The area is characterized by forests, farmland, and the Pend Orielle river which winds its way North to Canada through the county.