|
Oregon is a state located in the western United States bordering the Pacific Ocean, California, Washington, Idaho, and Nevada. Its northern border lies along the Columbia River and the east along the Snake River. Two north-south mountain ranges - the Coastal Range and the Cascade Mountain Range - form the two boundaries of the Willamette Valley, one of the most fertile and agriculturally productive regions in the world. Oregon is known for its rain, but only the western half of the state is notably rainy; east of the Cascades the climate is much more arid.
Population: (2000) 3,421,399, a 20.4% increase over 1990
State Bird: Western meadowlark
State Flower: Oregon grape
State Tree: Douglas fir
State Insect: Oregon Swallowtail Butterfly (Papilio oregonius)
Abbreviation: Oreg. Ore. OR
Oregonians are proud of their state's wealth of beautiful forests and streams, and place great importance on proper use of their environment, yet struggle to balance this need with the desire to achieve progress. The state has pioneered many of the nation's environmental firsts, such as one of the first bottle bills, but has also suffered under the rapid pace of logging its forests.
The Willamette Valley is very fertile, and coupled with Oregon's famous
rains, gives the state a wealth of agricultural products. Apples and other
fruits, cattle, dairy products, potatoes, and peppermint are all valuable
products. Oregon is also one of four major world hazelnut growing regions.
Oregon had one of the largest salmon-fishing industries in the world,
although ocean fisheries have reduced the river fisheries in recent years.
Tourism is also strong in the state; Oregon's evergreen mountain forests,
waterfalls, pristine lakes (including Crater Lake National Park), and scenic
beaches draw visitors year round.
|
