Oregon (OR) is located in the western USA on the Pacific coast, and is known for its diverse nature. The state’s economy relies on forestry, fishing and the technology sector. Oregon’s capital is Salem, and its largest city is Portland. A popular attraction in Oregon is Crater Lake National Park with the deepest lake in the USA, the most interesting of which is Mill Ends Park. With an area of 0.00011 mi², it is the smallest urban park in the world.
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Table of Contents
Quick Facts
Name Oregon Abbreviation OR Capital Salem Largest city Portland (Population: 630 498) Current time 17:39 Time zone PST (UTC-8) is in effect in most of the state, MST (UTC-7) is in effect in most of Malheur district. The state observes daylight saving time PDT (UTC-7) and MDT (UTC-6) Population 4,237,279 (#27 most populous US state) Area 98,381 mi² (#9 largest US state) Admitted to the Union February 14, 1859 (#33 state to join) ⭐ Capital of Oregon
The capital of Oregon is Salem. The city’s history dates back to 1842, when Protestant missionaries began settling the area. In 1855, Salem first became the capital of the Oregon Territory and, after entering the Union on February 14, 1859, the capital of the state
🏙️ Largest City in Oregon
The largest city in Oregon is Portland, with an estimated population of 630,498 in 2023. The second most populous city is Eugene, with 177,899 people, and a close third is the capital city of Salem, with 177,432 people.
🕒 Time in Oregon
The current time in Oregon is 17:39. Pacific Standard Time (PST, UTC-8), which is in effect in most of the state, with only eastern Malheur County recognizing Mountain Standard Time (MST, UTC-7). The entire state switches to daylight saving time between March and November.
🧑🤝🧑 Population of Oregon
As of 2023, Oregon had a population of 4,237,279, making the state the 27th most populous in the USA.
📍 Area of Oregon
Oregon’s total area is 98,381 mi², of which 96,081 mi² is land and 2,385 mi² is water. Oregon is the 9th largest state in the USA.
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Fun Facts About Oregon
🧩 Oregon Neighboring States
Oregon is bordered by four US states. Washington to the north, Idaho to the east, Nevada to the southeast, and California to the south. The state’s western border is 296 mi the long Pacific coastline.
📅 Date of Oregon Statehood
Oregon was admitted to the Union on February 14, 1859, as the 33rd state to secede from part of the Oregon Territory.
📛 Nickname of the State of Oregon
Oregon is nicknamed “The Beaver State” after the beaver, which is the official animal of the state. Beavers played a significant role in Oregon’s history, and in the 19th century, their pelts were traded so extensively that the local economy depended on them.
⛰️ Highest Mountain in Oregon
Oregon’s tallest mountain is Mount Hood with 11,249 ft, making it a frequent destination for hikers and climbers. It is located in the Cascade Range in northern Oregon.
🏞️ Rivers in Oregon
The longest river in Oregon is the Columbia River with a total stream length of 1,214 mi. It is followed by the Snake River (1,078 mi), the Owyhee River (346 mi), the John Day River (281 mi), and the Klamath River (263 mi).
🎓 Universities in Oregon
The largest university is Oregon State University, which was founded in 1868 in Corvallis as an agricultural school. It was officially recognized as a university in 1961 and today around 36,000 people study there. In second place is Portland State University, with around 26 thousand students. In third place is the University of Oregon, located in Eugene, with just under 23 thousand students.
✉️ Oregon ZIP Codes
Oregon has dedicated zip codes in the 970xx-979xx range, you can search for them by address on the USPS website. See the ZIP Codes in the USA article for more detailed information and a map of the codes.
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Weather in Oregon
The best time of year to visit Oregon is summer, when the weather is dry and warm, which is ideal for outdoor activities and exploring the beauty of nature.
Spring in Oregon tends to be cool and wet, usually lasting from March to May. Temperatures in Portland’s largest city stay between 39°F and 61°F during spring, gradually warming up to a more comfortable 68°F in May. Rainfall is very frequent, with the heaviest rainfall on the western side of the Cascade Mountains. On the eastern side of the mountains, rainfall tends to be less and temperatures are a few degrees higher.
Summers in Oregon are dry and warm, with temperatures inland between 77°F and 86°F. On the coast it is approximately 41°F cooler. There are few rainy days in summer, which create favorable conditions for hiking and other outdoor activities. Particularly in the dry areas of eastern Oregon, the risk of forest fires must be considered.
Autumn in Oregon is symbolized by a significant increase in rainfall, with heavy and frequent rainfall, especially in November. Temperatures gradually drop from 54°F to 75°F in September to the usual 39°F to 54°F in November.
Winter in Oregon tends to be mild in terms of normal temperatures, but is accompanied by heavy rains. On the coast and in the lowlands, temperatures are around 41°F to 50°F, with even lower temperatures in the mountains and frequent snowfall.
🌡️ Average Temperatures and Precipitation in Oregon
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Things to Do in Oregon
1️⃣ Crater Lake National Park
Crater Lake National Park is home to the lake of the same name, which is the deepest lake in the United States with a depth of up to 1,949 ft. The lake’s high depth and clear water are the reason for its unusual, dark blue color. There are dozens of miles of marked hiking trails in the national park that offer beautiful views of the lake.
Boating to Wizard Island, located in the middle of the lake, is also a popular attraction. Around the lake is 33.0 mi Rim Drive, a long, scenic road that offers several stops with spectacular views.
2️⃣ Powell’s City of Books
Powell’s City of Books in Portland is considered one of the largest independent bookstores in the world, occupying an entire city block and carrying more than a million titles. Individual rooms are color-coded by genre to make it easier to navigate the wide selection, which includes both new and used books. The store and adjacent café is a frequent venue for book signings and other literary events.
3️⃣ Multnomah Falls
Multnomah Falls is one of the tallest waterfalls in the United States with a total height of 620.0 ft, located in the Columbia River Gorge east of Portland. The falls are divided into two parts, and a marked trail leads up to the Benson Bridge for a beautiful view. There are several other hiking trails and picnic areas around the falls.
4️⃣ Mount Bachelor Ski Resort
Mount Bachelor is a popular winter resort in central Oregon, known for its great skiing and snowboarding conditions. The resort has 12 lifts and lifts and around 100 different trails that are designed for beginners, advanced and very advanced in their difficulty level. In the summer months, Mount Bachelor is popular among mountain biking and hiking enthusiasts.
🗺️ Bend, Oregon
5️⃣ Cannon Beach
Cannon Beach is a small town on the Pacific coast, known for 235.0 ft the tall rock formation of Haystack Rock, which juts out of the sea. The beach around the rock is good for long walks, and tourists will find several art galleries and restaurants in the town. A sand sculpture competition has been held at Cannon Beach every June since 1964.
6️⃣ Painted Hills
The Painted Hills are hills in central Oregon known for their distinctive colorful stripes, which were created over millions of years by alternating wet and dry climates. The Painted Hills are part of the John Day Fossil Beds National Monument and are one of the 7 Wonders of Oregon.
The color of the hills changes continuously depending on the current daylight. There are several relatively short hiking trails around the hills that provide nice views of the colorful formations.
7️⃣ Mount Hood
Mount Hood, with an elevation of 11,250 ft, is the highest mountain in Oregon, located in the Cascade Range about 69.7 mi driving distance from Portland. Throughout the year, the mountain is a popular spot for a wide range of outdoor activities. There are several ski resorts, campgrounds, and climbing trails in the surrounding area. There is a 39.8 mi long hiking trail around the mountain that offers spectacular views of the entire mountain range.
8️⃣ Tillamook Creamery
One of the most original and most visited commercial attractions in Oregon is the Tillamook Creamery in its namesake town on the Pacific Coast. A dairy with a tradition since 1909, visitors can watch the cheese-making process and taste the fresh dairy products right away.
The factory includes an interactive exhibit where the entire cheese-making process is explained in detail. Tillamook Creamery is an extraordinary place for a family outing and gourmet experience.
9️⃣ Silver Falls State Park
Silver Falls State Park is home to ten beautiful waterfalls, some of which can be hiked to. A number of hiking trails run through the park, with the most popular being the 7.4 mi long Trail of Ten Falls, which goes past all ten falls. Silver Falls offers good conditions for camping, fishing or picnicking.
🔟 Smith Rock State Park
Smith Rock State Park is a popular place among rock climbing enthusiasts, thanks to its steep rock walls and diverse climbing routes, of which more than a thousand have been described. There are also good hiking conditions in the park, with the most interesting trail being the 6 mi long Misery Ridge Trail, which leads to the summit with beautiful views of the surrounding landscape and the Crooked River.
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Largest Cities in Oregon
The table below shows the ten largest cities in the state of Oregon in 2023, the source of the data is the United States Census Bureau, a federal agency whose main job is to count the population.
City County Population 1 Portland Multnomah, Washington, Clackamas 630,498 Map of Portland 2 Eugene Lane 177,899 Map of Eugene 3 Salem Marion, Polk 177,432 Map of Salem 4 Gresham Multnomah 110,685 Map of Gresham 5 Hillsboro Washington 107,730 Map of Hillsboro 6 Bend Deschutes 104,557 Map of Bend 7 Beaverton Washington 96,945 Map of Beaverton 8 Medford Jackson 85,098 Map of Medford 9 Corvallis Benton 61,087 Map of Corvallis 10 Springfield Lane 61,085 Map of Springfield -
Sports Teams in Oregon
🏒 Ice Hockey (NHL)
There are no teams from Oregon in the NHL.
🏈 American Football (NFL)
There is no team in Oregon that plays in the NFL.
🏀 Basketball (NBA)
Oregon has only one representative in the basketball league, the Portland Trail Blazers of the Northwest Division in the Western Conference since the 1970 season. The team plays all of its home games at the Moda Center in Portland. The club colors are red, black and white.
⚾ Baseball (MLB)
Oregon is not represented in the MLB baseball league.
⚽ Soccer (MLS)
Oregon has been represented in the MLS soccer league by the Portland Timbers since the 2011 season and has been placed in the Western Conference. The club colors are green and gold, and the team plays its home games at Providence Park Stadium in Portland.
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Oregon State Symbols
The Oregon State Legislature has designated a number of official symbols, which are listed in the statute book. Only a few of these symbols are listed in this article.
State Flag of Oregon
The Oregon flag is unique within the United States in that it is double-sided. On the front is the gold state seal on a navy blue background, which is complemented by the state name and the year 1859, when Oregon entered the Union. On the reverse is a gold silhouette of a beaver as the state animal also on a navy blue background. The flag of Oregon has been in use since 15 April 1925.
Great Seal of Oregon
The Great Seal of the State was adopted in 1857, two years before Oregon became part of the Union. The seal design was chosen to represent the natural beauty and history of the state. Thus, the seal features a mountain, a forest, a plow, or ships. The eagle at the top of the seal symbolizes the United States and the connection of Oregonians to the rest of the nation.
State Animal
In 1969, the North American beaver (Castor canadensis) was declared the official animal of Oregon, having been of economic importance to the state since the 19th century when its pelts were traded. In a figurative sense, the beaver symbolizes the hard work, perseverance, and engineering skills of Oregonians. For these reasons, Oregon is often referred to as the “Beaver State.”
State Tree
Since 1936, the official symbol of Oregon has been the Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii), which is one of the most common trees in the state. The Douglas fir plays an important role in the state’s timber industry, with some trees reaching over 328 ft in height and living to be over 500 years old.
State Flower
The state flower of Oregon since 1899 has been the Oregon grape (Mahonia aquifolium), one of the native plants of the West Coast. An evergreen shrub commonly found in forests and parks, the mahonia’s purple berries are edible and have been used in the past to make jams and medicines.
State Fish
The fish symbol of Oregon became the Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) in 1961, with a length of up to 147 cm it is the largest salmon species in the Pacific Ocean. The fish symbolizes the cleanliness of Oregon’s waters and also draws attention to the need for sustainable management of natural resources.
State Song
In 1920, Oregon held a competition among music composers to compose a national anthem. The winner was Oregon, My Oregon, with composer Henry Bernard Murtagh as music writer and John Andrew Buchanan as lyricist.
State Nut
In 1989, Oregon included the hazelnut among its official state symbols. The Willamette Valley region south of Portland is home to 99% of all hazelnuts produced in the USA.
State Gem
The Oregon sunstone joined the list of state symbols in 1987. The globally unique gemstone contains pieces of copper that create shimmering effects. The Oregon sunstone usually has a red or amber coloration, with the center of the stone being the richest color.
State Fruit
Oregon is one of the top pear growers in the entire United States, which lawmakers recognized in 2005 by naming it the state fruit. The best conditions for growing pears are around Hood River on the Oregon-Washington border.
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