State of Oregon general data
- Time zone: 9 hours less than Italy
- Capital: Salem
- Main towns: Beaverton, Eugene, Gresham, Hillsboro, Portland.
- Area: 254.806 km²
- Population: 4,100,000 inhabitants approximately.
- Population density: 16,09 residents / km²
- State abbreviation: OR
- Entry into the United States: It joins the United States on February 14, 1859, it is the 33rd state to join the union.
The spectacularity that characterizes the Oregon territory is the result of different geological processes. These processes include volcanism that shaped part of a land that was covered by oceans in ancient geological eras, and the effect of glaciation in the Pleistocene. In general, Oregon is a wild state with an average elevation of 1,006m, with the highest point located on the top of Mount Hood being 3,427m. There are five major areas into which the state of Oregon can be divided physically, the coastal range, the chain of waterfalls, the Willamette Valley, the Columbia-Deschutes plateau and a small section of the Great Basin region.
According to thembaprograms.com, the coastal chain extends for 476 km of territory that overlook the Pacific Ocean. It is a very wild region, with few beaches and few bays suitable for allowing access by large ships. The average height of this area with many forest resources, and furrowed by narrow valleys, is approximately 600 m. To the west of the coastal range is the Willamette Valley, a swath of land fertile with alluvial deposits. The valley is bounded to the west by the Cascade range, a mountain range from which most of the state’s wood is obtained. In this range there are various and impressive volcanic peaks, among them Mount Hood, the highest peak in Oregon. The largest region in the state is the Columbia-Deschutes plateau, east of the Cascade range.
Of the plateau is formed by hills and low mountains (the Blue and Wallowa mountains), interspersed with narrow valleys, while the southern sector is a flatter terrain. South of the plateau is a small section of the Great Basin region, which extends into other states in the west and has low-lying alkaline soils with shallow lakes.
The most important river in Oregon is the Columbia, whose tributaries reclaim two-thirds of the state’s lands. The tributaries of this river that marks most of the border with Washington state are the Willamette, (fed by the Clackamas, Santiam and Mckenzie rivers), the Deschutes, the John Day and the Snake. Other important rivers are Coquille, Umpqua, Siuslaw, Alsea, Yaquina, Siletz, Nestucca and Nehalem. Some of these rivers have formed canyons of great beauty such as the Snake Canyon, or the River Gorge which has deeply eroded the ground just before flowing into the Pacific. As for the Oregon lakes, the largest of the natural ones is Upper Klamath Lake,
Flora and Fauna – In addition to coniferous woodlands, Oregon is rich in oak, maple and alder trees. The most wooded regions are the mountainous ones, especially in the Coastal range, in the Klamath mountains and in the Cascades range. The fauna includes large animals, such as deer, antelope, moose, and bear, as well as many varieties of land and water birds. Along the coasts appear seasonally seals, sea lions, otters and whales.
Climate– Oregon has two main climatic regions: the area under the direct influence of the Pacific and the region of the Cascade range. Thus, on the coast there are average temperatures of 16 ° C in July and 7 ° C in January, with great rainfall, with averages between 2,000 mm and 3,300 mm depending on the region. In the Willamette valley similar temperatures are recorded but, on the contrary, the rains are less abundant, annual averages of 1,020 mm. the region of the Cascade range presents a greater variety basically due to the altitude: the climate on the slopes to the west is mild and humid, to the east of the chain it is dry, (300 mm of annual rainfall), and hot, on some peaks it they can find perennial snows.
Oregon tourist spots
Tourist and Cultural Places – Oregon’s most important cultural institutions are the Portland Art Museum, the Oregon Historical Society Museum, the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry, the University of Oregon Natural History and Art Museums. ‘Oregon, and the Favell Museum of Arts and Crafts.
Among the main attractions we find the wild Oregon coast, miles of pristine beaches make the Oregon coast one of the most popular destinations in the region. The northern part has more built-up areas, with some of the busiest tourist spots in Oregon, while the southern region is rugged and wild. Oregon’s main beach town is Cannon Beach, south of Asteria, with its discreet charm. Haystack Rock, one of the tallest coastal monoliths in the world, dominates a long beach with its 72 m. Ecola State Park, at the northern end of the beach, includes Tillamook Head, a promontory with green woods. From the viewpoints you can admire the waves lapping the Tillamook Rock Lighthouse. Nature is the protagonist of the 56 km of the Three Capes Scenic Route, towards the south. Cape Lookout State Park is a spot for whale migration. The Oregon State Parks Association provides details on the best spots on this scenic drive. The Cape Perpetua Scenic Area has the highest vantage point on the coast. The sand dunes of the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area stretch for 65km south of Florence. Numerous walkways facilitate access to the Oregon Dunes Overlook, about 30km south of Florence.
Columbia River Gorge, east of Portland, this spruce and maple-covered canyon crosses the Cascade Mountains, marking the border between Washington and Oregon. The best way to see the area is the Historic Columbia River Highway. Along the way you will encounter the spectacular Multnomah Falls, two picturesque 185m high waterfalls, and the Thirties Timberline Lodge.
According to countryaah.com, Oregon has an important national park, Crater Lake National Park. The crater rim is on average 300 m above the lake level. The road that surrounds it has 144 km of trails, several viewpoints and a refuge that offers great views.
In addition to the park there are three other areas of great naturalistic interest: the John Day Fossil Beds National Monument, the Oregon Caves National Monument and the Fort Clatsop National Monument managed by the National Park Service. Hells Canyon National Recreation Area, east of Enterprise, is of tourist interest.
Madras and Warm Springs – Madras is a desert city surrounded by rocks and large tracts of untouched nature. Crooked River National Grassland offers sweeping views. Cove Palisades State Park surrounds the deep waters of Lake Billy Chinook, popular with sailors.
According to topschoolsoflaw.com, the 1855 treaty between the US government and the Wasco, Walla Walla, and Paiute tribes gave these Indian groups 256,000 acres of land in the Warm Springs Reservation in central Oregon. Today these Confederate tribes retain their cultural traditions in the Museum at Warm Springs, with an amazing collection of beaded baskets and jewelry, haunting vintage photographs and videos of tribal ceremonies. The tribes also run a casino and spa.
Portland – Downtown features steel-framed buildings, while the Old Town includes the ancient harbor. Portland’s parks and gardens and its well-preserved historic landmarks are the result of urban planning.
Pioneer Courthouse Square This brick-paved pedestrian square occupies one block on the east side of downtown and can be considered the heart of Portland, where residents gather to attend concerts, admire flower displays and other events, or just sit and chat. The underground spaces near the square house offices and shops. The Pioneer Courthouse, the first federal building built in the Northwest.
South Park Blocks – A green belt of oak-dotted lawns forms the so-called South Park Blocks, a series of city-center blocks. The Oregon Historical Society in the southern part of the park has large mural painted facades reminiscent of moments from the Lewis and Clark expedition.
Old Town – Elegant brick facades and quiet streets hide the Old Town’s past as a turbulent 19th-century frontier town. Old Town is now a quaint and trendy neighborhood, especially on weekends when Portland Saturday Market, America’s largest craft market, is held.
Pearl District – Often referred to as the “newest” of Portland’s neighborhoods, it now occupies what used to be an industrial area on the north side of Burnside Street. There are old warehouses and factories refurbished to house chic galleries, trendy shops, clubs, cafes, restaurants and breweries.
