Oregon is located on the west coast of the USA and is considered a state of contrasts, huge deserts, snow-capped mountains, long beaches and large dune landscapes offer their charm.
Covering 100,000 square miles, Oregon is bounded by the Pacific Ocean to the west, Washington to the north, California to the south, Idaho to the east, and Nevada to the south-east. The Columbia River runs along Oregon’s northern border, and the Snake River runs along much of its eastern border.
Oregon became the 33rd state on February 14, 1859. Today, Oregon is the ninth largest and 27th most populous state in the United States. The capital is Salem, it is the second largest city in Oregon with a population of approximately 160,614 (2013 est.).
With a population of 609,456 (2013 est.), Portland is the largest city in Oregon. Portland is considered the center of the state of Oregon and is located at the point where the Columbia River and the Willamette meet.
The state’s nickname is Beaver State. Oregon’s landscape is very diverse, with a windswept Pacific coast, a volcano in the Cascade Range, many bodies of water, evergreen mixed deciduous forests and a desert in eastern Oregon.
Climate & Weather in Oregon
Oregon ‘s climate varies significantly from region to region, particularly between the Pacific Coast and hinterland areas. You will find many different climate zones here. The summers are hot and dry. During the day it often gets over 30 degrees. It rarely rains in summer. The winters on the Pacific are mostly mild, frost is rather rare on the coast. In the mountainous hinterland, however, the climate is characterized by more extremes. Cold winters with snowfall are common here.
Landmarks in Oregon
Famous in Oregon is Highway 101, which is used on many round trips through the USA. It leads past picturesque beaches, towns and national parks.
Sights in Oregon are the crater lake at Crater Lake National Park, which was formed in the caldera of the Mount Mazama volcano. There are also many national monuments in Oregon such as: Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument, John Day Fossil Beds National Monument, Newberry National Volcanic Monument and Oregon Caves National Monument.
UNESCO World Heritage Sites
There are no UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Oregon.
National Parks in Oregon
Crater Lake National Park is the only national park in Oregon.
Cities and larger towns in Oregon
Salem
Astoria
Bend
Eugene
Medford
Pendleton
Portland
Oregon Airports
Portland International Airport / PDX
Eugene Airport / EUG
Rogue Valley International-Medford Airport / MFR
Roberts Field / RDM
Mountains in Oregon
Mount Hood
Mount Jefferson
Mount McLoughlin
Lakes and Rivers in Oregon
Columbia River
Crooked River
Deschutes River
John Day River
Owyhee River
Snake River
Willamette River
Crater Lake
Goose Lake
Upper Klamath Lake
Wallowa Lake
University of Oregon
Oregon State University at Corvallis near Salem
Portland State University
University of Oregon at Eugene
University of Portland
Willamette University at Salem
Sights in Hells Canyon
Hells Canyon is home to many viewpoints and landmarks worth seeing, such as Hat Point and Buckhorn in Oregon and Heavens Gate in Idaho. We have put together some attractions for you here:
Dug Bar
This natural snake river bar is accessed via Lower Imnaha Road on the Oregon side.
Pittsburg Landing
Pittsburg Landing is a region in Idaho County, Idaho, United States. Its elevation is 1,150 feet (350 m) and it was named for the industrial heritage of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Located on the Snake River in Hells Canyon, this area is accessible via the Deer Creek Road, a gravel road from White Bird, Idaho. There is also a campsite and a boat dock on the river.
Hells Canyon Dam
Hells Canyon Dam is a gravity dam on the Snake River in Hells Canyon on the Idaho-Oregon border. The dam backs the Snake River into Hells Canyon Reservoir. Its ascent altitude is 512 m (1,680 ft) above sea level. The Hells Canyon Complex on the Snake River is the largest privately owned hydroelectric complex in the nation. This dam consists of three generators with a total capacity of 391 megawatts (MW).
Oxbow Dam
Oxbow Dam is a hydroelectric hydroelectric power generation facility on the Snake River on the Idaho-Oregon border, in Hells Canyon. It is part of the Hells Canyon Project, as are Hells Canyon Dam and Brownlee Dam, which are being built and operated by the Idaho Power Company. The power plant includes four generator units with a total capacity of 190 megawatts (250,000 hp).
Brownlee Dam
The Brownlee Dam is a hydroelectric earth dam in the western United States, on the Snake River at the Idaho-Oregon border, in Hells Canyon. It is part of the Hells Canyon Project, along with Hells Canyon Dam and Oxbow Dam, being built and operated by the Idaho Power Company. The power plant includes five generators with a total capacity of 585.4 megawatts.
Hat Point Lookout
overlooks the Oregon side of the Canyon Rim.
Buckhorn Lookout
overlooks the Oregon side of the Canyon Rim.
Kinney Point
overlook overlooking the Idaho side of the Canyon Rim.
