100 Dumb US Laws (With Proof They Exist)
Oregon (OR) sits on the West Coast of the United States along the Pacific Ocean and is known for its diverse landscapes. The state’s economy leans 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, home to the deepest lake in the United States, while the quirkiest is Mill Ends Park. With an area of 0.00011 mi², it is the smallest city 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 6:13 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 98,380.69 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 to 1842, when Protestant missionaries began settling the area. In 1855 Salem first became the capital of the Oregon Territory, and after statehood on February 14, 1859, the capital of the state.
🏙️ Largest City in Oregon
The largest city in Oregon is Portland, which in 2023 had an estimated population of 630,498. The second most populous city is Eugene with 177,899 residents, followed closely by the capital, Salem, with 177,432 residents.
🕒 Time in Oregon
The current time in Oregon is 6:13. Most of the state observes Pacific Standard Time (PST, UTC-8), only the eastern part of Malheur County observes Mountain Standard Time (MST, UTC-7). The entire state switches to daylight saving time from March through November.
🧑🤝🧑 Population of Oregon
According to 2023 data, Oregon had 4,237,279 residents, making it the 27th most populous state in the U.S.
📍 Area of Oregon
Oregon’s total area is 98,380.69 mi², of which 96,080.69 mi² is land and 2,384.94 mi² is water. Oregon is the 9th largest state in the U.S.
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Fun Facts About Oregon
🧩 Which States Border Oregon
Oregon borders four U.S. states. To the north is Washington, to the east Idaho, to the southeast Nevada, and to the south California. The state’s western boundary is a 296.00 mi long Pacific Ocean coastline.
📅 Date of Oregon Statehood
Oregon was admitted to the Union on February 14, 1859, as the 33rd state, carved from part of the Oregon Territory.
📛 Oregon State Nickname
Oregon is nicknamed “The Beaver State” after the beaver, the state’s official animal. Beavers played an important role in Oregon’s history, and in the 19th century the fur trade grew so much that the local economy depended on it to a degree.
⛰️ Highest Mountain in Oregon
Oregon’s highest peak is Mount Hood at 11,249.00 ft, which makes it a frequent destination for hikers and climbers. It lies in the Cascade Range in northern Oregon.
🏞️ Rivers in Oregon
The longest river in Oregon is the Columbia River with a total length of 1,213.54 mi. Next are the Snake River (1,078.08 mi), Owyhee River (346.10 mi), John Day River (280.86 mi), and Klamath River (262.84 mi).
🎓 Universities in Oregon
The largest university is Oregon State University, founded in 1868 in Corvallis as an agricultural school. It was officially recognized as a university in 1961 and today enrolls about 36,000 students. In second place is Portland State University, with around 26,000 students. Third is the University of Oregon in Eugene, with just under 23,000 students.
✉️ ZIP Codes in Oregon
Oregon is assigned ZIP codes from 970xx to 979xx, and you can look them up by address on the United States Postal Service website. See the article ZIP Codes in the USA for more details and a map.
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Weather in Oregon
The best time to visit Oregon is summer, when the weather is dry and warm, ideal for outdoor activities and exploring its natural beauty.
Spring in Oregon is usually cool and wet, generally lasting from March to May. In Portland, the largest city, spring temperatures sit between 39 °F and 61 °F, warming to a more pleasant 68 °F by May. Rain is very common, with the heaviest precipitation on the west side of the Cascade Range. East of the mountains there is less rainfall and temperatures run a few degrees higher.
Summer in Oregon is dry and warm, and inland temperatures hold between 77 °F and 86 °F. The coast tends to be roughly 41 °F cooler. Rainy days are scarce in summer, which creates great conditions for hiking and other outdoor activities. Especially in the dry areas of eastern Oregon, there is a risk of wildfires.
Autumn in Oregon brings a sharp increase in rainfall, especially in November, when it rains often and heavily. Temperatures gradually drop from 54 °F to 75 °F in September down to the usual 39 °F to 54 °F in November.
Winters in Oregon are generally mild in terms of average temperatures, but they come with heavy rain. On the coast and in the lowlands, temperatures hover around 41 °F to 50 °F, while mountain temperatures are lower and snowfall is common.
🌡️ Average Temperatures and Precipitation in Oregon
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What to See in Oregon
1️⃣ Crater Lake National Park
Crater Lake National Park is home to the namesake lake, which at a depth of up to 1,949.00 ft is the deepest lake in the United States. Its great depth and exceptionally clear water give the lake its striking dark blue color. The park has dozens of miles of marked trails with gorgeous views of the lake.
A popular activity is the boat trip to Wizard Island, a cinder cone that sits in the middle of the lake. The 33.0 mi Rim Drive loops around the lake, offering multiple pullouts with stunning vistas.
2️⃣ Powell’s City of Books
Powell’s City of Books in Portland is considered one of the largest independent bookstores in the world, filling an entire city block and stocking more than a million titles. Rooms are color coded by genre to make it easier to navigate the vast selection, which includes both new and used books. The store and its café frequently host book signings and other literary events.
3️⃣ Multnomah Falls
With a total drop of 620.0 ft, Multnomah Falls ranks among the highest waterfalls in the United States. It lies in the Columbia River Gorge east of Portland. The falls are split into two tiers, and a marked trail climbs to the Benson Bridge, a classic viewpoint. Several more hiking trails and picnic areas surround the falls.
4️⃣ Mount Bachelor Ski Resort
Mount Bachelor is a popular winter resort in central Oregon, known for excellent skiing and snowboarding conditions. The area features 12 lifts and about 100 runs with terrain for beginners, intermediates, and advanced skiers alike. In summer, Mount Bachelor is a favorite for mountain biking and hiking.
🗺️ Bend, Oregon
5️⃣ Cannon Beach
Cannon Beach is a small town on the Pacific coast known for Haystack Rock, a sea stack that rises 235.0 ft from the water. The beach around the rock is perfect for long walks, and the town offers several art galleries and restaurants. Cannon Beach has hosted a sandcastle contest every June since 1964.
6️⃣ Painted Hills
The Painted Hills in central Oregon are famed for their vivid bands of color, formed over millions of years as wet and dry climates alternated. The Painted Hills are part of John Day Fossil Beds National Monument and are counted among the 7 Wonders of Oregon.
The colors shift with the light throughout the day. Several relatively short trails offer fine viewpoints of the colorful formations.
7️⃣ Mount Hood
At an elevation of 11,250.00 ft, Mount Hood is the highest mountain in Oregon, located in the Cascade Range about 69.7 mi by car from Portland. Year round, the mountain is a magnet for outdoor adventures. Several ski areas, campgrounds, and climbing routes ring the peak. A 39.8 mi loop trail circles the mountain with sweeping views across the range.
8️⃣ Tillamook Creamery
One of Oregon’s most original and most visited commercial attractions is Tillamook Creamery in the town of the same name on the Pacific coast. At this dairy, which has operated since 1909, visitors can watch cheese being made and sample fresh dairy products on the spot.
An interactive exhibit explains the cheese making process step by step. Tillamook Creamery makes for an unusual family outing and a tasty stop.
9️⃣ Silver Falls State Park
Silver Falls State Park is home to ten beautiful waterfalls, and you can actually walk behind some of them. The park features numerous hiking trails, the most popular being the 7.4 mi Trail of Ten Falls, which passes all ten cascades. Silver Falls also offers good options for camping, fishing, and picnicking.
🔟 Smith Rock State Park
Smith Rock State Park is a magnet for rock climbers thanks to its steep faces and varied routes, with more than a thousand lines documented. Hiking is excellent as well, and the standout route is the 6.21 mi Misery Ridge Trail, which climbs to a summit with sweeping views of the surrounding landscape and the Crooked River.
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Largest Cities in Oregon
The table lists the ten largest cities in Oregon in 2023. The source is the federal agency, the United States Census Bureau, whose primary task is the census.
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
🏒 Hockey (NHL)
There is no NHL team from Oregon.
🏈 American Football (NFL)
Oregon has no team in the NFL.
🏀 Basketball (NBA)
Oregon has one representative in the NBA, the Portland Trail Blazers, members of the Northwest Division in the Western Conference since the 1970 season. The team plays all home games at Moda Center in Portland. Team colors are red, black, and white.
⚾ Baseball (MLB)
Oregon has no MLB franchise.
⚽ Soccer (MLS)
Since the 2011 season, Oregon has been represented in Major League Soccer by the Portland Timbers, who play in the Western Conference. The team colors are green and gold, and they play home matches at Providence Park in Portland.
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Oregon State Symbols
The Oregon Legislature has designated a number of official symbols, which are listed in statute. This article includes only some of those symbols.
Flag of Oregon
Oregon’s flag is unique among U.S. state flags because it is double sided. The front shows the state seal in gold on a navy blue field, along with the state name and the year 1859, the year Oregon entered the Union. The back features a gold silhouette of a beaver, the state animal, also on a dark blue field. Oregon’s flag has been in use since April 15, 1925.
Seal of Oregon
The Great Seal of the state was adopted in 1857, two years before Oregon joined the Union. Its design was chosen to reflect the state’s natural beauty and history. The seal depicts a mountain, forest, plow, and ships. The eagle at the top 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 designated the official state animal. It held economic importance for the state as early as the 19th century, when its fur was widely traded. Figuratively, the beaver represents the diligence, persistence, and engineering skill of Oregonians. For these reasons, Oregon is often called the “Beaver State.”
State Tree
Since 1936, the Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) has been an official symbol of Oregon and is among the most widespread trees in the state. The Douglas fir plays a major role in Oregon’s timber industry. Some trees exceed 328.08 ft in height and can live more than 500 years.
State Flower
Oregon’s state flower since 1899 has been the Oregon grape (Mahonia aquifolium), a native plant of the West Coast. This evergreen shrub commonly grows in forests and parks. Its purple berries are edible and were once used to make jams and medicines.
State Fish
In 1961, the Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) became Oregon’s fish symbol. Reaching lengths of up to 57.87 in, it is the largest salmon species in the Pacific Ocean. The fish symbolizes the purity of Oregon’s waters and underscores the need for sustainable management of natural resources.
State Song
In 1920, Oregon held a competition among composers to create a state song. The winner was Oregon, My Oregon, with music by Henry Bernard Murtagh and lyrics by John Andrew Buchanan.
State Nut
In 1989, Oregon added the hazelnut to its official symbols. The Willamette Valley south of Portland produces 99 percent of all hazelnuts grown in the United States.
State Gemstone
In 1987, Oregon expanded its list of symbols with the Oregon sunstone. This globally unique gemstone contains copper inclusions that create sparkling effects. Oregon sunstones are typically red or amber yellow, with the most intense color concentrated toward the center of the stone.
State Fruit
Oregon ranks among the nation’s leading pear producers, which lawmakers recognized in 2005 by designating the pear as the state fruit. The best conditions for growing pears are around Hood River on the Oregon–Washington border.
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