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Oregon is a state in the Pacific Northwest region of the
United States. Oregon borders the Pacific Ocean on the west, Washington on the
north, Idaho on the east, and California, and Nevada on the south. Much of its
northern border lies along the Columbia River and much of the eastern border
lies along the Snake River. Two north-south mountain ranges—the Pacific Coast
Range and the Cascade Mountain Range—form the two boundaries of the Willamette
Valley, one of the most fertile and agriculturally productive regions in the
world.
Oregon has one of the most diverse landscapes of any state
in the US. It is well known for its tall, dense forests and its accessible,
scenic Pacific coastline. Other areas include the semiarid scrublands, prairies,
and deserts that cover approximately half the state in eastern and north-central
Oregon. It is one of the few places in the Northern Hemisphere where
lift-serviced alpine skiing is available year round.
Oregon has been a pioneer in the use of vote-by-mail. In
2000 Oregon became the first state in the nation to conduct a presidential
election entirely by mail. About 80% of registered voters participated.
The Willamette Valley is very fertile and, coupled with
Oregon's famous rain, gives the state a wealth of agricultural products,
including cattle, dairy products, potatoes, peppermint, and apples and other
fruits. Oregon is also one of four major world hazelnut growing regions, and
produces 95% of the domestic hazelnuts in the United States. While the history
of the wine production in Oregon can be traced to before Prohibition, it became
a significant industry beginning in the 1970s and Oregon is home to ten wine
appellations. Due to regional similarities of climate and soil, the grapes
planted in Oregon are often the same varieties found in the French region of
Alsace.
High technology industries and services have been a major
employer since the 1970s. Tektronix was the largest private employer in Oregon
until the late 1980s. Intel's creation and expansion of several plants in
eastern Washington County continued the growth that Tektronix had started. The
spinoffs and startups that were produced by these two companies led to the
establishment of the Portland metropolitan area as the Silicon Forest
Oregon had one of the largest salmon-fishing industries in
the world, although ocean fisheries have reduced the river fisheries in recent
years. Tourism is also strong in the state; Oregon's evergreen mountain forests,
waterfalls, pristine lakes (including Crater Lake National Park), and scenic
beaches draw visitors year round. The Oregon Shakespeare Festival, held in
Ashland, is a tourist draw near its Californian border which complements the
area's scenic beauty and opportunity for outdoor activities.
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Fast Facts
Population: 3,641,056
State capital: Salem
largest cities Portland
Salem
Eugene
Per-capita income 30,561
Nickname: Beaver State
Time Zone: Pacific Standard Time
Daylight Time: Yes
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