Oregon Geography

Basic Facts

• Geographical Region: West
• Size: 98386 sq.mi., 9th rank overall.
• Admitted to Statehood: February 14, 1859
• Population: 3,825,657;27th rank overall.
• Capital: Salem
• Other Major City: Portland
• Abbreviation: OR

Fun Facts

• Nickname: Beaver State
• State Flag: Click Here (opens window to 50states.com)
• State Bird: Western Meadowlark (opens window to 50states.com)
• State Flower: Oregon Grape (opens window to 50states.com)

Geographical Description

• Along the pacific coast line, the Coast Range runs north to south with low mountains covered in evergreen forests. Many cliffs around 1,000 feet above sea level run along the coast line. The highest peak in this range is Mary's Peak at 4,097 feet above sea level.
• Running along the Willamette River, east of the Coast Range and between the Cascade Mountains is a valley called the Willamette Lowlands. The climate is mild with rich soil.
• The Cascade Mountains rise to 11,239 feet above sea level at Mount Hood. This rugged landscape features the deepest lake in the United States. Crater Lake is 1,932 feet deep.
• Covered by dense forests in the southwest corner of Oregon are the Klamath Mountains.
• Most of eastern Oregon is covered by the Columbia Plateau. This region is quite rugged but features many wheat farms.
• The Basin and Range Region is found in the southeastern section of the state. Much of this area is semi-desert.

Map: Relief Map of OR

Industry

Lumber and wood products, tourism, food processing, fishing, paper products, machinery, fabricated metals, scientific instruments

Agriculture

Cattle, hay, pears, vegetables, nursery stock, fruits and nuts, dairy products, snap beans, peppermint, wheat.

Other Information

Fun Facts:

• Oregon is the only state with a two sided flag.
• Oregon has the most ghost towns in the U.S
• Sea Lion Caves near Florence was discovered in 1880 and is the largest sea cave in the world.
• A treaty signed in 1819 between the U.S. and Spain established the current southern border of Oregon.
• Hells Canyon is the deepest river gorge in North America at 8,000 feet deep.

More Fun Facts: http://www.50states.com/facts/oregon.htm