Oregon Facts -- National Geographic

Fast Facts

Population:: 3,559,596
Capital:: Salem; 140,977
Area:: 98,981 square miles (254,805 square kilometers)
Per Capita Income:: U.S. $28,533
Date Statehood Achieved:: February 14, 1859

The end of the road for wagon trains bound westward over the Oregon Trail, the Pacific Northwest became more accessible after completion of a transcontinental railroad line to Portland in 1883. Today its location on the Pacific Rim is one of Oregon's greatest assets: Most of its international trade is with Asia, and Portland serves as a large distribution center for Japanese autos.

Hydroelectricity generated on the Columbia River has powered industry since World War II. Forests cover half the state, and the lumber and wood-products industries bring in some $3.3 billion annually. Fruits and vegetables grow in the Willamette Valley, and wheat grows east of the Cascades. Natural resources are managed carefully, and Oregon's land-use and recycling laws set standards for the nation.

ECONOMY

Industry: Real estate, retail and wholesale trade, electronic equipment, health services, construction, forest products, business services
Agriculture: Nursery stock, hay, cattle, grass seed, wheat, dairy products, potatoes

Related Features

Hike the Triple Crown

Get inspired with our Ultimate Adventure Bucket List, a collection of 40 trips that range from totally extreme to actually doable.
Cascade Lakes Road Trip

Step back in time as the volcanic landscape of central Oregon's desert plains conjure up prehistoric visions.
Family Trip: Columbia Gorge, Oregon

Go multisporting in Columbia Gorge, Oregon.