Oregon State Almanac: Facts and Figures

Quick Facts, Figures, and Overview of the State of Oregon

Oregon Almanac: Fast Facts and Figures on the State of Oregon

Oregon is one of the Pacific states of the US.  Oregon is usually split into eight areas. These are Oregon coast, Rogue Valley, Willamette Valley, Cascade mountains, Columbia River Plateau, Klamath Mountains, Blue Mountains, and Oregon Outback. The western part of Oregon is mountainous and home to Mount Hood and other prominent mountain peaks in the US Oregon is bordered on its west by the Pacific Ocean, north by Washington, south California, east Idaho, and southeast Nevada. The Columbia River delineates much of Oregon's northern boundary, the Snake River largely its eastern. Historians say Oregon was most likely named after one of two rivers. The Columbia River, which forms a coastline along the northern border, was at one time called the Oregon or Ouragan, which is French for hurricane. Others believe the name was derived from a mapmaker's error in the 1700s. The Wisconsin River was named the Ouisconsink and was picked up by travelers referring to the country west of the Great Lakes as Ourigan.

In the agricultural sector, greenhouse and nursery products such as daffodils, gladioli, irises, lilies, peonies and tulips for bulbs are Oregon's most valuable. Hay is Oregon's second ranked crop generating 7% of the state's total agricultural receipts. Oregon is a leader in the production of peppermint oil and Christmas trees. With the low-cost electric power provided by dams, Oregon has developed steadily as a manufacturing state. Leading manufactured items are lumber and plywood, metalwork, machinery, aluminum, chemicals, paper, food packing, and electronic equipment. Oregon leads the states in lumber production.

Oregon Almanac: Facts & Figures on the State of Oregon

Official Name Oregon
Capital Salem
Nicknames Beaver State ...and more
Motto Alis Volat Propriis Latin: (She flies with her own wings)
Location
Region
44.92450 N, 123.02205 W
Pacific States
Northwestern
Northwest, Pacific
Constitution Ratified 1859
Statehood February 14, 1859
33rd State
Population 3,831,074 (2010)
35.64 sq. mi.
28th
Largest City
(by population)
10 largest cities (2010 est.):Portland, 583,776; Eugene, 156,185; Salem 154,637; Gresham, 105,594; Hillsboro, 91,611; Beaverton, 89,803; Bend, 76,639; Medford, 74,907; Springfield, 59,403; Corvallis, 54,462
Bordering States North: Washington (Columbia River forms much of the Northern boundary)
East: Idaho
South: Nevada and California
West: Pacific Ocean
Coastline: 296 mi.
Major Industry timber, paper products, farming (wheat, cattle), mining (coal), computer equipment, electronics
Major Rivers Columbia River, Deschutes, Willamette River, John Day River, Snake River
Major Lakes Upper Klamath Lake, Crater Lake
Oregon Counties  36 Counties in Oregon
Largest Counties
(by population)
Multnomah County
735,334 (2010)
435 sq. mi.
Largest Counties
(by area)
Harney County
10,135 sq mi.
State forests 780,000 ac.  
State parks 231 (95,462 ac.)
Electoral Votes 7
US Congress 2 Senators; 5 Representatives
Time Zone Pacific Standard Time
Mountain Standard Time
Zip Codes NANPA
State Quick Facts Census Bureau Quick Facts


Oregon Climate and Weather

Weather varies significantly across Oregon, but overall, winters are often cool and wet, with summers dry and warm.

Mean temperatures average 38 degrees in January and 67 degrees in July. Cooler condition exist in the east and southeast, while it's warmer in the southwest.

About 50% of all precipitations falls in winter. Amounts vary from 8 inches annually in the drier plateau regions east of the Cascades, to as much as 200 inches in the higher elevation of the Coast Range mountains.

Snow amounts approach 350 to 550 inches annually in the Cascades.
Highest Temperature 119 degrees
August 10, 1938 - Pendleton
Lowest Temperature -54 degrees
February 10, 1933 - Seneca
Avg. Temp:
High - Low
82.6 degrees
32.8 degrees

Oregon Points of Interest

Columbia River Gorge, Crater Lake, Mt. Hood and the Cascades, Hells Canyon National Recreation Area, Portland (the City of Roses), Bonneville Dam on the Columbia, Oregon Caves National Monument, Cape Perpetua in Siuslaw National Forest, and the historic communities and lighthouses along the Pacific Ocean coastline.

Oregon Highest, Lowest, and Mean Elevations (Feet)

Mean Elevation: 3,300 feet

Highest Point: Mt. Hood: 11,239 feet

Mt. Hood: 11,239 feetMount Hood (45.4N, 121.7W) is the tallest mountain in Oregon. It is 45 miles (75 km) east-southeast of Portland, Oregon. Mount Hood is a stratovolcano made of lava flows, domes, and volcaniclastic deposits. Most of the volcano is andesite composition. The main cone of Mount Hood formed about 500,000 years ago. In the last 15,000 years the volcano has had four eruptive periods. During the most recent eruptive period, 250-180 years ago, lava domes collapsed and produced numerous pyroclastic flows and lahars which buried the southwest flank of the mountain.

Lowest Point: Pacific Ocean
Sea level

Oregon Land Area (Square Miles)

Geographic Center In Crook County, 25 mi. SSE of Prineville
Longitude: 120°58.7'W
Latitude: 43°52.1'N
Total Area 98,380.64 sq. mi.
9th
Land Area 95,996.79 sq. mi.
97.58%
Water Area 2,383.85 sq. mi.
2.42%
Forested Land Area 48.4%
Dimensions
(Length - Width)
360 miles - 261 miles
County Information and County History
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