Oregon is the only state with a double-sided flag. What to see in Oregon

Forest park is a city park in Portland, one of the largest in the country. On an area of ​​more than 2060 hectares, surrounded by a huge biological diversity, there are recreational routes with a total length of more than 100 kilometers.

Formed in the 1860s and formally opened in 1948, the park is the 19th largest park in the United States. Its territory is home to more than 112 bird species, 62 mammal species, and many different plant species. Among the representatives of the fauna there are deer, lynxes, ground squirrels, squirrels, mice and salamanders.

No less impressive is the variety of birds - various types of woodpeckers, owls and swans, bats, blackbirds and others. Due to the large amount of rainfall, the territory of the park is especially rich in vegetation. Here grows maple, poplar, fern, alder, thistle, ivy, blackberry and a huge variety of conifers.

Thor's well

Thor's Well is an amazing natural attraction located on the Pacific coast at Cape Perpetua in Oregon. The coastal strip of the cape is of volcanic origin and is a heap of boulders, among which the well is hidden - a huge depression, a natural funnel formed among sharp stone rocks. Thor's well is also called the Gates of Hell.

Only at low tide, for a short period of time, you can come almost to the very edge of the well, but after a moment the water begins to rise, and Thor's Well is transformed.

At high tide, ocean waves, rolling on a funnel, crash against its walls with a roar and, falling down, form a waterfall of fantastic beauty. The well never overflows, apparently its depths are connected to the ocean. Another striking property of the well is connected with this fact. During the arrival of a particularly large wave, a powerful water column breaks out of the abyss of the well, forming a sheaf of salt spray and instilling primitive horror. Thor's Well is most spectacular at sunset.

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Washington Park

Washington Park is a Portland city park founded in 1871. It occupies an area of ​​more than 65 hectares and is a huge complex that includes various public and entertainment facilities.

On the territory of the park there are: the Oregon Zoo, which is home to two thousand animals, a rose garden with 9.5 thousand rose bushes, a traditional Japanese garden, a forest center, a children's museum and the Hoyt Arboretum, which features more than 8 thousand plants. Among other features of the park, it is worth mentioning the many statues, monuments, fountains, as well as various sports fields, playgrounds and picnic areas.

The city of Portland in Oregon is called the greenest city in the United States. The local climate is very favorable for plants, and every year in June a rose festival is held here. Portland ranks first in the country for the number of parks and squares. The local city program even provides for a per capita green space ratio, constantly breaking up new green areas and green spaces. And these are not just boring classic parks, these are real works of art!

Portland has a classic Chinese garden created by craftsmen from Suzhou who installed a tea arbor inside, which is now a listed building. And in 1963, a huge Japanese garden was planted in Portland. It is recognized worldwide as the best non-Japanese traditional garden. Professor Takuma Tohno designed the basic concept of the park and over the years, using his own funds and voluntary donations, he brought more and more new elements to it. On 2.5 hectares there are five zones of different styles, each of which differs not only in architectural elements, but also in plants.

Mazama volcano lake

Oregon's Crater Lake National Park is home to one of the highest mountain volcanoes, Mazama. This place is famous for its crater lake with the purest and transparent blue water.

Several millennia ago, after a powerful eruption, Mazama was partially destroyed, and a caldera (depression) formed on the site of the crater. Over time, the depression filled with water, and beautiful Crater Lake formed. The approximate dimensions of the crater reservoir are 10 km long and 8 km wide.

Crater is the deepest volcanic lake in the United States, averaging 350 meters deep, with the deepest point almost 600 meters below the surface of the water. The lake is fed only by precipitation.

Tourists are attracted to the beautiful lake not only by the amazing poisonous blue color of the water with the most beautiful views of the surroundings, but also by the old legend about the "lake old man" who brings happiness to everyone who sees him. As a result, the "old man" turned out to be an ordinary log that floats in a very unusual way - vertically.

Waterfall "Punch bowl"

The Punch Bowl Falls is a hallmark of the Pacific Northwest and Oregon. It can be seen on postcards, postage stamps, calendars and other souvenirs. Traveling through the Columbia River Gorge, you can meet a dozen different and different waterfalls, but the Punch Bowl has become a favorite place for tourists and locals.

For several thousand years, the flow of water formed a stone bowl, which gradually turned into a comfortable pool. On summer weekends, many locals come here to relax, not to mention tourists traveling along the river and making a stop here.

The waterfall is located in a charming place with steep cliffs on one side and an old forest on the other. Through it, along a rather difficult path, you can climb to the top of the waterfall.

Cannon Beach

Cannon Beach is the most famous and popular beach in Oregon. The beach, 900 meters long, consists of fine white and soft sand and exotic plants. The rich underwater world attracts lovers of diving and snorkeling (diving with a mask and snorkel) to these places.

Although this beach is often crowded, it is always clean and comfortable here, and in the evenings you can see sunsets of extraordinary beauty.

Oregon is a mountainous state in the northwestern United States, one of the so-called Pacific states. Population 3.850 million people (27th among states; 2009 data). The capital is Salem, the largest city is Portland. Other major cities are Eugene, Gresham, Beaverton, Medford, Corvallis, Springfield, Astoria. The abbreviation for the state of Oregon is OR.

The official motto of the state is "Flies on its own wings" (Alis Volat Propriis). The official nickname is "Beaver State" or "Beaver State".

Oregon state name

There is no consensus among researchers about the origin of the name of the state of Oregon.

One of the most popular versions is the hypothesis about the origin of the word "Oregon" (Oregon) from the French ouragan (hurricane, strong wind). This assumption is supported by the fact that initially the lands of the modern state of Oregon were called "Ouragon" by European explorers, only later changing the name to the current one.

Geography

Oregon covers an area of ​​254.772 thousand km² (ninth largest among the states). It borders the state of Washington to the north, Idaho to the east, and Nevada and California to the south. In the west, its territory is washed by the waters of the Pacific Ocean.

The Oregon Territory can be roughly divided into six zones. In the western part, the Coast Range stretches parallel to the Pacific coast, the highest point is Mount Meris Peak (1249 m). To the southwest are the Klamath Mountains, sometimes called the Siskiyou Mountains, with Mount Ashland as their highest point of 2296m. To the east and north of them is the Willamette River Valley, with a total elevation of less than 130 m above sea level, which is home to about 2/3 of Oregon's population.

The Cascade Mountains stretch across the entire state from north to south, dividing it into western and eastern parts. The highest point is the dormant Mount Hood volcano (3424-3427 m according to various sources), the last eruption of which occurred around 1790. The Cascade Mountains are home to a large number of geothermal springs.

The endorheic plain of Deschutes-Umatila, which occupies the geographical center of the state, is the "grain belt" of Oregon. In the northeast - the Blue Mountains (3011 m). And in the southeast of the state is the Oregon Desert, a semi-desert highland with salt lakes of variable shape.

The main rivers are Columbia, 58% of the state's territory falls on its basin, Willamette, Snake, Deschutes.

There are many lakes in Oregon, including the deepest (589 m) Crater Lake in the country. The climate in the western part of the state is mild and rainy, from 2-10°C in January to 13-24°C in July. Precipitation on the western slopes of the mountains reaches 2500 mm per year, in the interior - no more than 250 mm in the southwest.

Story

In ancient times, the Indian tribes of Bannock, Chinook, Klamath, Modoc, non-Perse (from the French Nez Perce - pierced nose) lived on the territory of Oregon.

In 1788, James Cook surveyed the coast of the province, looking for a northwestern passage here.

In 1792, Boston captain Robert Gray passed along the lower reaches of the Columbia River. It was he who named the river after his ship. In 1805-1806, the Lewis and Clark expedition explored the mouth of the Columbia River and founded Fort Klatsop here.

In 1811, the Pacific Fur Company founded the city of Astoria. Soon the Hudson's Bay Company began to operate here. A massive influx of settlers into Oregon began in the 1830s. The first Europeans who appeared in the region in the 18th century were met by local Indians friendly, but then they began to actively resist attempts to resettle them on reservations, and active hostilities were going on in the province.

In 1846, the Oregon conflict between Great Britain and the United States was settled, as a result, the border of the future Oregon Territory (it was established in 1848) passed along the 49th parallel. In 1857, the Oregon constitution was adopted, which - with a number of amendments - is still in effect. On February 14, 1859, Oregon was admitted to the Union, becoming the 33rd state.

Oregon state symbols

■ Oregon state tree - Menzies pseudo-hemlock (Pseudotsuga menziesii)
■ Oregon state flower - Holly mahonia (Mahonia aquifolium, "Oregon grape")
■ Oregon state animal - American (Canadian) beaver (Castor canadensis)
■ Oregon state bird - western meadow troupial (Sturnella neglecta)
■ Oregon fish - Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha, king salmon)
■ Oregon butterfly - Oregon sailfish (Papilio oregonius)
■ Oregon State Gem - Labradorite (Oregon Sunstone)
■ Oregon State Drink - Milk
■ Oregon Walnut - hazel (hazelnut)
■ Oregon fruit - pear
■ Oregon State Dance - Square Dance
■ Oregon state colors - navy blue and gold

Oregon Attractions

The main attraction of the state is the classical nature with cascading picturesque mountains, the Pacific coast, hundreds of lakes and rivers with their gorges, ancient volcanoes, mountain deserts and forests (almost half of the state is covered with dense forest).

"City of Roses" Portland is the largest city in the state and one of the fastest growing cities in the United States. Among the sights of the city, one can note the Portland Building complex (the first example of postmodern architecture in America), the symbol of Portland is a 12-meter forged copper statue of the goddess of commerce Portland (the second largest in the United States, the goddess herself is considered the patroness of the city), Tom McCall Park, Memorial square (dedicated to the memory of Japanese Americans interned by the government during World War II),
the smallest park in the world - Mill Ends Park, the famous Rose Test Garden (the oldest rose garden on the West Coast), the New Oregon Museum of Science and Industry, Mount Tambourine Park (the only city park in the country that covers the territory of an extinct volcano) .

40 km east of the city begins the picturesque gorge of the Columbia River with its canyon about 900 meters deep, 70 waterfalls (including the second largest in the country - Multoma, height - 189 m), numerous viaducts and the Museum of the Columbia River in Astoria. 90 km east of Portland rises the majestic Mount Hood, (3429 m - the highest point in Oregon), widely known for the longest ski season in the country (345 days a year there is snow on these slopes).

Oregon is home to dozens of excellent ski resorts, many protected areas, and along the coast, the vast Oregon Dunes National Park. Here is the deepest lake in the country and the seventh in the world - Crater (depth 592 m), around which the national park of the same name is located. And on the very border with Idaho, southeast of Baker City, there is the deepest gorge in North America - Hell Canyon (depth up to 1650 m), punched into the rock mass by the Snake River.

Oregon State University

Oregon State University is located in Corvallis, Oregon. The university offers more than 200 educational programs and the widest opportunities for scientific research. The university's study programs in nuclear engineering, ecology, forestry and agriculture, biochemistry, zoology, oceanography and pharmacology are considered the highest quality in the United States. It is the only public university in the United States that has federal subsidies for research into the earth's interior, water, space, and the sun.

The university was founded in 1856 under the name Corvallis Academy. In 1858, the academy acquired the status of a college. In 1868, the Oregon Legislature awarded the college the title of Oregon Agricultural Academy, and later, in 1890, the Oregon Agricultural College. The college changed its name several more times until it received university status in 1961.

Oregon State University is included in the top 150 universities in the world, the top 50 universities in the country, is the best university in Oregon. Oregon State University is a leader in the education of agricultural and forestry professionals.

Interesting Facts

■ Oregon is the only US state to have a double-sided flag. One side features the state seal and the reverse side features a beaver, the state's symbol.
■ Oregon has the smallest park in the world: Mill Ends Park in Portland.
■ There is no purchase tax in Oregon.
■ Oregon is one of only two US states, along with New Jersey, to ban self-service gas stations.
■ The US version of The Ring 2 was filmed in Oregon.
■ Timberline Lodge is located in Oregon. This hotel on the slopes of Oregon's Mount Hood is well known to fans of horror films from Stanley Kubrick's The Shining. Here Jack Nicholson's winter vacation turned into a nightmare.
■ Oregon is the setting for Ken Kesey's novels Sometimes It's a Bliss and One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest.
■ Oregon is the setting for David Brin's novel The Postman.
■ The largest city in Oregon - Portland, is considered the birthplace of the so-called northwestern American punk rock, in particular, represented by the legendary band Wipers.
■ In 1981, Osho arrived in Oregon with his followers, but after a while the US government expelled him along with his students.

Funny Oregon Laws

■ In Oregon, people cannot fill their own gas tank with gas; they must be assisted by a gas station attendant. Reason: The law was adopted a long time ago, when many people (especially the elderly) did not know basic things, for example, that gasoline is explosive and it is better not to smoke while refueling. Gas station owners were afraid that their customers might blow up the gas station.
■ You are prohibited by peer's order from knowing any details of oral or written discussions about your health. Even by court order. All you can access is your medical record, which has been voluntarily entered by your doctor or nurse.
■ It is forbidden to eat ice cream on Sundays.
■ It is forbidden to swim without an appropriate bathing suit, ie. one that covers your body from neck to knees.
■ It is illegal to buy or sell marijuana, but it is not illegal to smoke marijuana in your private property.
■ It is forbidden to whisper "dirty" words in your partner's ear during sex.
■ Canned corn should not be used as fish bait.
■ Plates must be quick drying.

Oregon is located on the Pacific coast of the northwestern United States and is the 10th largest of the 50 states. Oregon is bordered on the north by Washington, with most of the border running along the waters of the Columbia River, from the east by Idaho, the borders are determined by the waters of the Snake River, from the south by Nevada and California, and from the west by the waters of the Pacific Ocean.

Oregon is dotted with numerous rivers, but the Columbia is the largest and most important river. Originating from its source in Canada, the river flows over 1900 kilometers to the Pacific Ocean. The climate in the state is generally temperate, but there are notable regional differences. The mountain range divides Oregon into two large climate zones: the western one, with more rainfall and moderate temperatures, and the eastern one, with little rainfall but more extreme temperatures.

More than 130 species of mammals live in the state, of which 28 live throughout the territory. At least 60 species of fish are found in the region's waters, including five different types of salmon and coho salmon. Salmon form the backbone of the commercial fishery. Hundreds of bird species visit these lands. The migration route of many birds passes through the state.

Story

In the state, in the pre-colonial period, the Perce, Chinook, Klamath, Paiute, Molele and Kai tribes lived. These tribes lived in houses built of cedar, hunted for fish in canoes. Fish were their main source of food. The first European to see these lands was Sir Francis Drake, but he did not land on the coast of Oregon. Later, the Spaniards and the British began to present property claims to the territory. In 1792, an American explorer, Captain Robert Gray, sailed down the Columbia River to these lands and named the river after his ship. The famous explorers Lewis and Clark, at the urging of President Thomas Jefferson, explored the continent from the Atlantic to the Pacific. At the mouth of the Columbia River they wintered, building a small fort called Fort Clatsop. In the future, more and more explorers and fur traders came to these lands. These were both representatives of the Old World and Americans. Both of them claimed the land. In 1818 an agreement was reached on the joint use of the region. Starting in 1840, settlers from the east began to come to Oregon. Over a hundred thousand people migrated west in 20 years, many of them settled in Oregon. The settlement of the region by the Americans forced the British to abandon the lands. The territory was admitted to the Union on February 14, 1859 as the 33rd state.

Attractions

By visiting the Columbia River Maritime Museum, you will learn a lot of legends and the history of the development of this waterway of Oregon, learn everything about sea and river transportation. Experience a variety of watercraft, from Native American canoes to modern trawlers. The Columbia River Maritime Museum specializes in exhibiting everything related to the Columbia River and the Pacific Northwest.

Cape Blanco Lighthouse is the oldest continuously operating lighthouse. The cape itself protrudes for a mile and a half into the waters of the Pacific Ocean on the southern coast of Oregon and ends with a 200-meter cliff. These chalk white cliffs prompted the first Spanish explorers to name this landmark at the westernmost point Cabo Blanco or White Cape. Prior to the construction of the lighthouse on the cape, the land was covered with a dense spruce forest, but the trees were cut down. The first lighthouse worker was a woman. Today, the lighthouse is open to the public and allows you to look out over the vast expanses of the Pacific Ocean from the westernmost point of Oregon.

Transport

The largest airport in Oregon is Portland International Airport. It is located 14 km northeast of the city.

The Oregon flag is the only double-sided flag in the United States. It is a dark blue banner with the state coat of arms in the center. The coat of arms is framed in golden yellow. It says "State of Oregon" at the top, and the year it joined the Union at the bottom. On the reverse side of the cloth there is a golden-yellow image of a beaver. On the front side of the flag, in the coat of arms, you can see the American eagle, looking up, as a symbol of power, strength and freedom on the way to a brighter future for Oregon. The mountains symbolize the natural beauty of nature, the trees symbolize the natural resources of the state, the elk symbolize the rich wildlife, the wagon symbolize the adventurous nature of the pioneers, the waters of the Pacific Ocean indicate the great role of sea routes. An interesting and symbolic depiction of a sailing British warship and an arriving American steamer, which means the end of British oppression and the beginning of American freedom. Sheaf plow and pick, denote the development of agriculture, mining and animal husbandry. The coat of arms is surrounded by 33 stars, reflecting the state's entry into the Union. Beaver on the reverse side - emphasizes the trading opportunities of the first settlers.

A feature unique to the state of Oregon is the double-sided flag. On one side it depicts a seal and a date, on the other - a beaver.

It is these symbols that are very indicative of this territory, revealing its originality.

The state of Oregon received its modern status on February 14, 1859 (this date is reflected on one of the sides of the flag) and became the 33rd state in a row.

The current population is almost 4 million inhabitants. Area - 255 km 2. The capital of Oregon is Salem, and the largest city, whose population is three times the capital, is.

The history of the development of the future state began at the end of the 18th century with the research of James Cook. After him, numerous expeditions (for example, Lewis and Clark) visited here, as a result of which the first fort was founded.

For a long time, this territory was considered to belong to the UK. And after the resolution of the Oregon conflict, it passed into full ownership.

Features of geography and climate

Oregon is located in the northwest of the country, on the Pacific coast. The Cascade Mountains stretch across its entire territory (from west to east).

In addition, the relief is characterized by ridges, plains and the Oregon desert. There are several geothermal springs here, the dormant volcano Hood (the last eruption was in 1790).

Oregon state map:

Mountain ranges and the Pacific Ocean have a significant impact on the climate. There are two zones that differ significantly in weather conditions.

The western regions are characterized by warm summers and cool winters. There are no sharp temperature drops here: in winter the thermometer rarely drops below 2°C, in summer it rises above 27°C.

In the east, the climate is more arid, the average temperatures in June-August are 4-5°С higher than in the east, and in December-February - 5-7°С lower. In general, the climate is quite mild and familiar to the inhabitants of Russia.

population, religion

The most common denomination in Oregon is Christianity. However, it also has the lowest church attendance in the United States.

The percentage of atheists is very high - almost 25. It is interesting that one of the few communities of Russian Old Believers is located here, it consists of almost 10 thousand people.

Features of the economy

Oregon is a leader in nickel mining and hazelnut cultivation. Therefore, the mineral processing and agriculture industries are leading.

The woodworking industry and areas related to information technology are also highly developed.

Oregon boasts of its vineyards and fruit plantations. In insignificant quantities there are deposits of precious metals (gold, silver, etc.).

Interestingly, there is no tax on purchases, which attracts residents of neighboring states and develops the area of ​​trade.

Notable universities

The University of Oregon has a research focus. It is the second public university in the United States, founded in 1876. About 25 thousand students study here.

The University of Oregon is also very popular. There are over 200 different scientific fields here. The university has state subsidies for the study of water, sun, earth and space (the only one in the country).

Attractions

Oregon is an ideal place for lovers of the beauty of nature and outdoor activities. Picturesque river valleys, mountain peaks and the Pacific coast are amazing landscapes.

Thor's well

Here you can also climb one of the peaks, in winter, go skiing in the Willamette National Forest.

Waterfalls in the Willamette National Forest

You can see the beautiful Multnomah Falls.

Multnomah Falls

Stroll through a Japanese-style garden in Portland.

Visit Washington Park and other protected places where you can meet the symbol of the state - the beaver.

Enjoy the beauty of the Pacific Ocean and relax on one of the beaches.

And, of course, the state of Oregon will surprise tourists with its architecture, both modern and preserved from the first settlers.

Video

Top 20 places in Oregon:

Oregon

The western coast of Oregon is washed by the Pacific Ocean, in the north the state borders on the state of Washington, the border with which partially runs along the Columbia River, Idaho is located to the west, and Nevada and California are its southern neighbors. Oregon became the thirty-third state of the United States in 1859, but the fateful changes in the life of this land began much earlier, in 1543, when Spanish sailors landed on it. Later, members of sea expeditions from many countries visited its shores - they all sought to discover a waterway that would pass through the entire American continent, linking the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. However, shallows lay in wait for the daredevils on the very shores, and the coves and estuaries that seemed so promising were full of disappointments. Since then, one of the capes in the northern part of the coast has been called that - Cape Disappointment, and nearby the waters of the Bay of Obmana are splashing. In the end, in 1792, the American captain Robert Gray managed to navigate the ship "Columbia" upstream of the largest of the rivers flowing into the ocean on the Oregon coast, called the Columbia. The campaign of Captain Gray meant the strengthening of US influence in the northwest of the Pacific coast of the mainland, which was a response to claims from Spain, Great Britain and Russia to this territory. However, Oregon finally ceded to the United States only in 1846, after the conclusion of an agreement between the United States and Great Britain, which had previously shared their power over Oregon, and in 1848 the US Congress formed the territory of Oregon, which became a state eleven years later.

The name of the state appears to be of Native American origin, although the exact history of this toponym is unknown. The indigenous people of Oregon are the Chinook, Modoc, Klamath, and Umatilla Indian tribes. The wars and disease that followed the arrival of the white pioneers in Oregon reduced the indigenous population, and at present, a little over 27,000 Indians live in the state, mainly on the Warm Springs and Umatilla reservations.

The first white settlers came from eastern America and French Canada. The flow of immigrants from the east of the United States especially increased in the 40s of the XIX century in connection with the opening of the so-called Oregon Highway, which began in the town of Independence in Missouri and passed through Kansas, Nebraska, Wyoming and Idaho. The first convoy of settlers who covered a distance of 3,200 kilometers reached Oregon in 1843. The road, full of dangers, hardships and hardships, took from four to six months. In the town of Baker City, you can visit a special museum of the Oregon Highway, its exposition tells about the hardships faced by immigrants who decided to try their luck in the Wild West. Subsequently, in order to fill the shortage of workers, the Japanese and Chinese began to be invited to Oregon. The black population of the state is small, accounting for approximately 1 percent of the total population.

Oregon is called the "beaver state" because of the myriad of animals that once lived here. At one time, beaver skins were even used as money. However, at present, the fur trade has given way to more profitable trades. Oregon leads the United States in timber supplies. In addition, agriculture, coal and fishing industries are developed in the state.

The length of Oregon from north to south is 475 kilometers, and from east to west - 636 kilometers. The area of ​​the state is 251,418 square kilometers. From north to south, the Cascade Mountains stretch across the state, the highest point of which is the dormant volcano Mount Hood (3424 meters). The Cascade Mountains divide Oregon into two regions - the western part with fertile valleys, lush forests and a rather rainy climate, and the eastern part, where natural conditions are no less diverse: here are the Blue Mountains with the deepest canyon in America, through which the Snake River flows, and arid plateaus, and semi-desert extending deep into California. Oregon's climate is generally milder in the west, rainfall is plentiful (locals are jokingly referred to as "Oregon ducks"), winters in the region are quite warm, and infrequent but heavy snowfalls cause panic among the population and huge traffic jams on highways. In the east of the state, the climate is more severe, with hot summers and cold winters.

Oregon is not rich in minerals. Nickel, gold, and silver are mined here in small quantities. The main treasure of the state is forests, covering an area of ​​12 million hectares. Oregon supplies a fifth of US timber needs. Mostly pines and Douglas fir, named after the Scottish botanist David Douglas, who worked in the United States in the last century, are subject to felling. Currently, deforestation is approached prudently, seeking to ensure the necessary reproduction of forests. It is noteworthy that the rate of forest planting further somewhat exceeds the rate of destruction of trees.

The temperate climate that prevails in most of Oregon and fertile soils contribute to the fact that the state grows a variety of crops - wheat, oats, barley, and western Oregon is famous for its orchards, where apples, pears, plums, cherries and grapes grow. Thanks to the development of viticulture in recent years, Oregon has become famous for good locally produced dry wine.

Oregon's main river, the Columbia, is navigable, even ocean-going ships can navigate it. The Bonneville power station was built on Columbia, supplying electricity to the population and industrial enterprises of Oregon. The Columbia and other rivers in the state are home to valuable fish species, such as salmon and tuna, which is incredibly popular in the United States.

Until the end of the 19th century, Oregon remained a somewhat isolated corner of the United States, but the completion of the transcontinental railroad in 1883 contributed to the establishment of the state's economic ties with other regions of the country. Over time, Oregon has become one of the largest suppliers of food, electronic devices and timber. The industrial center of the state is located in the valley of the Willammett River. Oregon's main industrial products are timber, paper, and paper pulp. However, for most Americans, the mention of the name of the state evokes memories of the extraordinary beauty of the local nature, the beautiful Pacific coast, the gloomy and even somewhat frightening forests, the swift Columbia and Willammett rivers, the deepest Crater Lake in the USA with amazingly blue water. The depth of this reservoir reaches 589 meters, and its bowl is the crater of an extinct volcano.

Oregon's capital is Salem, a run-of-the-mill town of just over 100,000 people located in an agricultural area that produces dairy and other food products. Perhaps the only attraction in Salem is Willammett University.

Oregon's largest city is Portland, located on the Willammett River at its confluence with the Columbia, at a distance of about 100 kilometers from the Pacific coast. The population of Portland is more than 437 thousand people. Few cities are located in such picturesque places. The business center is spread in the river valleys, while the residential areas are picturesquely climbing the slopes of the Mountain Range, from where there is a magnificent view of Mount Hood, Rainier and St. Helens. The city is known for its parks and gardens, especially the Japanese garden and rose garden. However, the main industrial enterprises and higher educational institutions of the state, in particular the University of Portland Oregon and the University of Portland, are concentrated here.

Eugene, one of the most picturesque cities in Oregon, is located on the banks of the Willammett River, which separates it from the neighboring city of Springfield. Eugene is first and foremost a city of students, where life is subject to the rhythm of the life of the University of Oregon. The University of Eugene, founded in 1872, being far from the largest in the United States, can rightfully be proud of its scientific school, teachers and excellent library.

The towns of Lake Oswego, Hillsborough and Beaverton are satellites of Portland. Corvalis, located southwest of Salem, is a center for electrical engineering and robotics. Corvalis is also home to a university.

Oregon is notable for being the first state to ban the sale of aerosols and non-recyclable cans and bottles. There are no self-service gas stations in the state - all operations at gas stations are carried out only by personnel.

Probably, it would be useful to say that Nike, a well-known sportswear and footwear company in our country, was born in Oregon.

The best-known Oregonians include the poet Edwin Morkham (1852–1940) and the Portland-born journalist and writer John Reid (1887–1920), best known for his book Ten Days That Shook the World, which chronicles the Russian Revolution of 1917.