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Oregon, in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States, is bordered by Washington, across the Columbia River to the north, Idaho to the east, and California and Nevada to the south. The Pacific Ocean forms the entire western border of the state to form one of the most beautiful coastlines in the world.
Area: 96,981 sq mi (251,181 sq km), the 10th largest state in the U.S.
Pop.: (2000) 3,421,399, a 20.4% increase since the 1990 census
Capital: Salem
Largest City: Portland
Motto: “The Union”
State Bird: Western Meadowlark
State Flower: Oregon Grape
State Tree: Douglas Fir 
Oregon's major sources of farm income are greenhouse products, wheat, cattle (huge herds graze on the plateaus east of the Cascades), and dairy items. Hay, wheat, pears, and onions are important, and the state is one of the nation's leading producers of snap beans, peppermint, sweet cherries (orchards are particularly numerous in the North Willamette Valley), broccoli, and strawberries. Oregon has developed an important and growing wine industry since 1980.
Abundant, cheap electric power is supplied by numerous dams, most notably those on the Columbia River: Bonneville Dam, The Dalles Dam, and McNary Dam. The John Day Dam is one of the largest hydroelectric generators in the world. The dams also aid in flood control and navigation. The Bonneville Dam, in the steep gorge where the Columbia River pierces the Cascades, enables large vessels to travel far inland, and although river traffic is less vital than formerly, the Columbia River cities still serve as transport centers for a vast hinterland to the east.
Oregon's river resources are one of its greatest assets. Its salmon-fishing industry, centered around Astoria, is one of the world's largest; other catches are tuna and crabs. Although mining is still underdeveloped, Oregon leads the nation in the production of nickel.
*Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition, Copyright (c) 2003
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