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Table of Contents
Oregon is a state in the Pacific Northwest of the United States. It is bordered on its west by the Pacific Ocean, on its north by Washington, on its south by California, on its east by Idaho, and on its southeast by Nevada. The capital city of Oregon is Salem, which is its second-largest city. Known as the βBeaver State,β Oregon is known for its national parks, breathtaking scenery, tranquil rivers, picturesque mountains, and lush greenery. It truly is an outdoors loverβs dream destination.
See the fact file below for more information about the State of Oregon, or you can download our 26-page Oregon worksheet pack to utilize within the classroom or home environment.
Key Facts & Information
ETYMOLOGY
- The name Oregon is said to have been derived from the French word ouragan, meaning βwindstormβ or βhurricane,β in reference to the powerful chinook winds of the Columbia River.
- Oregon is also dubbed the βBeaver Stateβ because beaver pelts were the most popular in fur trading during the 19th-century settlements of the state.
- The beaver is also Oregonβs state animal.
GEOGRAPHY
- Oregon is part of the Pacific Northwest, a region characterized by its proximity to the Pacific Ocean, lush green forests, and rainy days.
- Oregon has a total area of 98,381 square miles.
- Salem is the stateβs capital city.
- Other major cities include Portland, Medford, Eugene, Gresham, Hillsboro, Bend, and Beaverton.
- The eight main regions that makeup Oregon are Central Oregon, Southern Oregon, Eastern Oregon, Willamette Valley, Portland, the Oregon Coast, Mount Hood, and the Columbia River Gorge.
- Mount Hood is the highest point in Oregon, with a staggering height of 11,000 feet,
- The Columbia Plateau mountain range that stretches across Washington, Oregon, and Idaho is formed by lava.
- Running as deep as 8,000 feet, Hells Canyon in Oregon is the deepest river gorge in North America.
CLIMATE
- The climate in Oregon is generally mild, but there are times when the temperature goes to extremes because of the Pacific Oceanβs influence.
- Yearly precipitation averages 37 inches.
HISTORY
- Home to many indigenous nations for thousands of years, Oregon is part of the Western United States, located in the Pacific Northwest of the country.
- About 20 languages were reportedly spoken in Oregon, meaning that the state is indeed culturally diverse, and hundreds of villages exist across the state.
- After periods of assimilation and colonization, only nine distinct tribes are recognized.
NATIVE AMERICANS
- Numerous Native American tribes inhabited the land of Oregon thousands of years ago when Europeans first arrived.
- Among these tribes were the Nez Perce, the Chinook, the Klamath, the Paiute, the Molalla, and the Cayuse, whose primary food source was fishing.
ARRIVAL OF THE EUROPEANS
- During the 1500s and 1600s, the coastline of Oregon was spotted by many European voyagers and explorations, such as the fleet led by Sir Francis Drake of England.
- In 1792, an American explorer named Captain Robert Gray came upon a river that ran through Oregon.
- This river is now known as the Columbia River, named after his ship.
THE LEWIS AND CLARK EXPEDITION
- In the 1800s, France sold a large region to the United States called the Louisiana Purchase.
- During this period, the Lewis and Clark Expedition traversed Oregon by the order of President Thomas Jefferson to map out the new territory.
- The expedition was led by Captain Meriwether Lewis and his close friend Second Lieutenant William Clark.
- Lewis and Clark traveled past the borders of the newly purchased land, which led them as far as the Pacific Ocean.
- During the winter of this period, Lewis and Clark set up Fort Clatsop, a small fort they stayed in at the entrance of the Columbia River in Oregon.
- The next several years saw more fur trappers and explorers set foot on the land from the United States and Great Britain.
- Both of which laid claim to the land.
- Both the United States and Great Britain agreed to the joint occupancy of the region in 1818.
OREGON TRAIL
- From 1842 to 1843, numerous new American Settlers were brought to Oregon using the Oregon Trail.
- In the following years, more and more people started to flock to the area. Tens of thousands of people migrated using the Oregon Trail.
- In 1846, due to the American population taking over more land than their Great Britain counterparts, the territory eventually became a part of the United States through the Oregon Treaty.
- In the early 1900s, the Oregon Trail became the pathway for new American settlers to enter the state, but African-American people were banned because the Black Exclusion Law prohibited slavery.
OREGON AS A STATE
- In 1848, the Oregon Territory was established.
- The large land was home to the then-future states of Oregon, Idaho, Washington, and a portion of Montana.
- In 1859, at the peak of Oregonβs growth, it broke off from the other territory regions and was admitted to the Union on February 14, making it the 33rd state of the United States.
- Oregon was the first US state to suffer casualties from a foreign attack when a Japanese bomb exploded at Gearhart Mountain in May 1945, leading to the deaths of six people.
FATHER OF OREGON
- John McLoughlin was officially named the βFather of Oregonβ in 1957 for his work to help the stateβs first settlement.
- He also took an active role as a merchant in the development of Oregon.
DEMOGRAPHICS
- Oregon has a total population of 4,237,256 in the 2020 consensus.
- Nearly 75% of the population are White people, including White Hispanics.
- As of 2022, Protestantism and Catholicism are the primary religions next to being βunaffiliated,β making it one of the least religious states in the United States.
ECONOMY
- Oregon is rich in natural resources and, thus, is the top driver of their economy.
- Agriculture, fishing, and forestry also count as the leading industries in the state.
- Its main products include potatoes, peppermint, hops, apples, dairy products, eggs, poultry, coal, timber, hazelnuts, wine, cattle, and sheep.
STATE SYMBOLS
- Oregonβs state symbols are as follows:
- Bird – Western Meadowlark
- Animal – Beaver
- Tree – Douglas Fir
- Flower – Oregon Grape
- Insect – Swallowtail Butterfly
- Nut – Hazelnut
SITES AND LANDMARKS
- With hundreds of thriving vineyards, the Willamette Valley is the βheart of Oregon’s Wine Country.β
- Mill Ends Park in Portland, Oregon, is the smallest park in the world.
- Crater Lake National Park has the deepest lake in the country.
- Oregon’s Sea Lion Caves measure 1,315 feet in length, making it the largest cave in the country.
- Tillamook, Oregon, is home to the Tillamook Cheese Factory, also known as the worldβs largest cheese factory.
FUN FACTS
- Oregon is the only state with a two-sided flag.
- Oregon is the first US state to ban non-returnable bottles and cans.
- Oregon is home to the worldβs largest organism: a 2,384-acre Armillaria ostoyae fungus discovered in the Blue Mountains in 1998.
The State Of Oregon Worksheets
This fantastic bundle includes everything you need to know about the State of Oregon across 26 in-depth pages. These ready-to-use worksheets are perfect for teaching kids about the State of Oregon. It is bordered on its west by the Pacific Ocean, on its north by Washington, on its south by California, on its east by Idaho, and on its southeast by Nevada. The capital city of Oregon is Salem, which is its second-largest city.
Complete List of Included Worksheets
Below is a list of all the worksheets included in this document.
- State of Oregon Facts
- Intro to Oregon
- Err-oregon
- Past to Present
- People From Oregon
- Neighboring States
- Oregon Trail Map
- City Crossword
- Oregon-na Visit?
- Tour-egon
- Oregon Review
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the capital of Oregon?
The capital of Oregon is Salem.
What is the official nickname of Oregon, and why is it called that?
Oregon is known as “The Beaver State.” It earned this nickname due to the historical significance of beavers in the state’s fur-trading history. Beaver pelts were highly valued and played a crucial role in the early economy of the region.
What is the largest city in Oregon?
The largest city in Oregon is Portland. It is not only the largest city but also a major economic and cultural hub in the state.
What natural landmark forms part of the border between Oregon and Washington state?
The Columbia River forms a significant part of the border between Oregon and Washington. It is one of the largest rivers in North America and plays a vital role in the region’s transportation and industry.
What is the state flower of Oregon?
The state flower of Oregon is the Oregon grape (Mahonia aquifolium). It is known for its yellow flowers and is a native plant in the state.
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