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Oregon is located in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. It achieved statehood on February 14, 1859, becoming the 33rd state to join the union. Oregon is bordered by Washington to the north, California to the south, Nevada to the southeast, and Idaho to the east. With over 4 million residents, it is the 27th most populous state in the country.

History of Oregon

Evidence of indigenous peoples living in what is now Oregon dates back over 15,000 years. Various Native American tribes inhabited the region for thousands of years prior to European exploration. Notable tribes included the Bannock, Chinook, Klamath, Molalla, Cayuse, and Umatilla. The first European explorers to reach Oregon were Spanish sailors in the late 18th century. Further exploration and trapping expeditions occurred in the early 1800s. Permanent American settlement began in the 1840s with the Oregon Trail. Thousands of American pioneers migrated west along this 2,000 mile route. Learn more about the Oregon Trail here. Oregon's early economy was fueled by the fur trade and lumber industry. The California Gold Rush of 1849 brought many new settlers into the region as well. Oregon became an official U.S. territory in 1848. On February 14, 1859, it was admitted to the union as the 33rd state. The capital city was originally Oregon City, but was later moved to Salem in 1851.

Geography and Climate

Oregon covers 98,466 square miles, making it the 9th largest state. It features diverse landscapes including forests, mountains, valleys, high deserts, and over 300 miles of Pacific coastline. Prominent geographic features include the Willamette Valley, Cascade Mountains, Columbia River Gorge, and Crater Lake. Oregon has a generally mild, temperate climate. Winters are cool and wet while summers are warm and dry. Precipitation levels vary across the state with higher rainfall amounts concentrated along the coast and Cascades. The high desert regions of central and eastern Oregon receive much less annual precipitation.

Major Cities and Regions

Some of the most prominent cities and regions in Oregon include:

Portland - The largest city in Oregon with over 640,000 residents. Portland is located in the northwest region along the Willamette and Columbia Rivers. It's known for its parks, bridges, microbreweries, coffeehouses, and lively arts and music scenes.
Eugene - Home of the University of Oregon and the second largest city in the state with over 168,000 residents. Eugene has a vibrant youth culture and many outdoor recreation opportunities.
Salem - The capital and third largest city in Oregon with over 154,000 people. Salem lies in the Willamette Valley and is close to vineyards and outdoor activities.
Medford - This southwestern city has over 113,000 residents. It serves as a gateway to the Rogue Valley and attractions like Crater Lake.
Bend - Situated along the Deschutes River with nearly 100,000 residents, Bend is known for its outdoor recreation and breweries.
Willamette Valley - A fertile agricultural region southwest of Portland featuring vineyards, orchards, and abundant produce. It encompasses cities like Eugene, Corvallis, Salem, and McMinnville.
Central Oregon - The central part of the state containing Bend and outdoor destinations within Deschutes National Forest and the Cascades.
Southern Oregon - Includes cities like Medford and Ashland. Southern Oregon offers access to Crater Lake National Park and the Rogue River.
Eastern Oregon - The drier, more remote side of the state with small towns, plateaus, and ranch lands.
Oregon Coast - Over 300 miles of scenic Pacific Ocean coastline with beaches, lighthouses, capes, and small beach towns.

Economy and Industry

Some key elements of Oregon's economy include:

Technology - Major tech companies like Intel, Nike, and Hewlett-Packard have major operations located in Oregon.
Timber - Logging and wood products have historically been a top Oregon industry. Timber sales still contribute significantly to the economy.
Agriculture - Oregon produces a wide variety of crops including hazelnuts, pears, berries, grapes, and hops for craft brewing.
Outdoor Gear and Apparel - Nike, Columbia Sportswear, Keen, and Leatherman Tools have headquarters in Oregon.
Tourism - Key attractions like the coastline, Portland's food scene, Crater Lake, and Mt. Hood draw visitors from around the world.

Oregon has one of the fastest growing state economies in the nation. However, declining timber harvests and rural population loss remain challenges. Learn more about Oregon's economy here.

Attractions and Destinations

From mountain peaks to ocean shores, Oregon offers tremendous natural diversity. Here are some top attractions and destinations:

Crater Lake National Park - Oregon's only national park centered around the stunning blue Crater Lake formed in a collapsed volcano caldera. Website
Columbia River Gorge - A spectacular river canyon cutting through the Cascades with waterfalls, hikes, windsurfing, and mountain views.
Oregon Coast - Miles of scenic beaches, lighthouses, whale watching, fishing harbors, and charming coastal towns like Cannon Beach, Depoe Bay, and Yachats. More on visiting the Oregon Coast
Portland - The hipster capital of the West featuring microbreweries, food carts, Powell's Books, urban hiking, and vibrant neighborhoods like the Pearl District. Portland tourism website
Mt. Hood - An iconic snowcapped volcano offering year-round recreation like skiing, hiking, and mountain biking. Mt. Hood National Forest website
Willamette Valley - Home to over 500 wineries and vineyards along with covered bridges, farms, nurseries, and small towns. Willamette Valley Wineries Association
Bend - A hub for outdoor activities in Central Oregon with rock climbing, whitewater rafting, downhill skiing, fly fishing, mountain biking, and microbreweries. Visit Bend tourism website
Oregon Dunes - Stretching over 50 miles along the coast, the dunes provide recreation like off-roading, hiking, fishing, and sandboarding.
Rogue River - Southern Oregon river offering whitewater rafting, fishing, hiking, and scenic beauty. Flows through Crater Lake National Park.

In addition, Oregon has nine national forests offering endless opportunities for camping, hiking, boating, and outdoor exploration.

Major Landmarks and GPS Coordinates

Here are some major Oregon landmarks along with their GPS coordinates:

Crater Lake - 42.8676° N, 122.1689° W
Haystack Rock, Cannon Beach - 45.8917° N, 123.9601° W
Mount Hood - 45.3735° N, 121.6959° W

Embedded Google map showing Oregon state boundaries

Counties and Local Government

Oregon is divided into 36 counties. The most populous county is Multnomah County, home to Portland and over 800,000 residents. Oregon state government website Some examples of Oregon county government websites:

Multnomah County - 501 SE Hawthorne Blvd, Portland, OR 97214. Phone: (503) 988-3700
Clackamas County - Public Services Building, 2051 Kaen Rd, Oregon City, OR 97045. Phone: (503) 655-8681
Lane County - 125 E 8th Ave, Eugene, OR 97401. Phone: (541) 682-4203

School Districts

Oregon has over 200 public school districts providing education across the state. The largest is Portland Public Schools with about 49,000 students. Some examples of Oregon school district websites:

Transportation

Major interstate highways running through Oregon include:

Interstate 5
Interstate 84
Interstate 82
Interstate 105
Interstate 205
Interstate 405

The state is also served by public transportation systems within its cities as well:

TriMet - Public transit provider for the Portland metropolitan area including buses, light rail, and commuter rail.
Lane Transit District - Public buses, rapid transit bus service, and paratransit serving the Eugene-Springfield metropolitan area. Phone: (541) 687-5555
Salem Area Mass Transit District - Provides public bus transportation around Salem, Keizer and nearby towns. Phone: (503) 588-2877

The largest airport is Portland International Airport (PDX). Other commercial airports include Eugene Airport (EUG), Medford Airport (MFR), and Redmond Airport (RDM).

Major Employers

Here are some of Oregon's major private and public employers:

Intel - Semiconductor chip maker headquartered in Santa Clara with major manufacturing plants located in Hillsboro, OR. Address: 2501 NW 229th Ave, Hillsboro, OR 97124. Phone: (503) 264-8683
Providence Health & Services - Catholic non-profit healthcare system with multiple hospitals and clinics in Oregon. Address: 18080 NE Portal Way, Portland, OR 97230. Phone: (503) 215-1111
Fred Meyer - Retail chain owned by Kroger with over 100 stores throughout Oregon. Headquarters: 3800 SE 22nd Ave, Portland, OR 97202. Phone: (503) 797-4000
Nike Inc. - Global athleticwear brand headquartered in Beaverton, OR. Address: One Bowerman Dr, Beaverton, OR 97005. Phone: (503) 671-6453
Legacy Health - Nonprofit healthcare system operating multiple facilities in Portland metro area. Address: 1919 NW Lovejoy St, Portland, OR 97209. Phone: (503) 413-2200
Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) - Public university focused on healthcare education and research. Address: 3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Rd, Portland, OR 97239. Phone: (503) 494-8311
PeaceHealth - Nonprofit health system with medical centers located in Oregon. Address: 1115 SE 164th Ave, Vancouver, WA 98683. Phone: (360) 728-7000
Beaverton School District - Public K-12 school district in Beaverton, OR. Address: 16550 SW Merlo Rd, Beaverton, OR 97003. Phone: (503) 356-4500

Oregon Ducks Football

College football is hugely popular in Oregon. The Oregon Ducks team represents the University of Oregon in Eugene and plays in the Pac-12 conference. With flashy uniforms and an uptempo offense, the Ducks draw big crowds to Autzen Stadium and have enjoyed recent success under coach Chip Kelly. For tickets and schedules, visit the Oregon Ducks Football official website.

Points of Interest

In addition to the major attractions listed above, here are some other notable Oregon points of interest:

Oregon Zoo - Located in Portland, exhibits include an Africa section, penguins, and elephant habitat. Website
Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI) - Large science museum along the Willamette River containing exhibits, planetarium shows, and submarine tours. Website. Address: 1945 SE Water Ave, Portland, OR 97214. Phone: (503) 797-4000
Portland Japanese Garden - Traditional Japanese garden located within Washington Park containing gardens, tea house, and natural scenery. Website

Oregon Caves National Monument - Extensive marble caves and caverns within Siskiyou National Forest in southwest Oregon. Offers cave tours. Website
Oregon Shakespeare Festival - Popular theater event held annually in Ashland with outdoor Elizabethan theater. Website
Portland Art Museum - Art museum in downtown Portland with impressive collections of Native American, Asian, and European art. Website
Oregon Sand Dunes - The largest expanse of coastal sand dunes in North America, popular spot for off-roading and recreation. Part of Siuslaw National Forest.
Portland Children's Museum - Engaging hands-on exhibits and activities focused on STEAM learning for kids. Website. Address: 4015 SW Canyon Rd, Portland, OR 97221. Phone: (503) 223-6500
Wildhorse Resort & Casino - Largest resort in Oregon with hotel, spa, golf, and casino located near Pendleton. Website. Address: 46510 Wildhorse Blvd, Pendleton, OR 97801. Phone: (541) 278-2274
Oregon Vortex - Curious attraction near Medford featuring strange phenomena and optical illusions. Website
Mt. Bachelor Ski Resort - Popular ski area in the Cascades near Bend offering downhill and cross country skiing. Website

Additional Resources

Here are some additional resources for exploring Oregon:

Travel Oregon - Official tourism site with trip planning tools and guides.
Travel Portland - Visitor's guide to Portland from the Portland Business Alliance.
Oregon Tourism Commission - State agency dedicated to promoting tourism.
Oregon National Forests - Information on outdoor recreation across Oregon's national forests.
Oregon Hikers - Hiking resources and field guides covering trails across the state.
Oregon Farm Bureau - Agricultural association promoting Oregon's farming, ranching and natural resource industries.
Oregon State Library - Research, online resources, and guides from the State Library of Oregon.

With vibrant cities like Portland, incredible natural scenery from the Pacific Coast to the Cascades, a booming craft beer scene, and an abundance of outdoor recreation, Oregon has something for everyone. From historical museums and cultural attractions to skiing, fishing, wine tasting, and exploring National Forests, Oregon offers tremendous diversity and activities. Hopefully this guide provides a helpful overview of the Beaver State's main attractions and resources!

Top 10 Most Populous Cities in Oregon

Portland

With a population of 652,503, Portland is the largest city in Oregon. Portland is known for its parks, bridges, beer, donuts, and liberal political values. Some key facts about Portland:

Founded in 1845
Located in the Willamette Valley region along the Willamette and Columbia rivers
Home to the Trail Blazers NBA team and the Timbers MLS team
Known as "Stumptown" and "Rose City"
Food scene famous for Voodoo Doughnut, Salt & Straw ice cream, and many craft breweries

Tourism links for Portland:

City government link: City of Portland Facebook page: City of Portland Facebook