Oregon

Oregon is a state located on the United States' northwest, and bordering the Pacific Ocean, California, Washington, Idaho, and Nevada. Its northern border lies along the Columbia River and the east along the Snake River. Two north-south mountain ranges - the Coastal 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 is known for its abundant rainfall, but only the western 35% of the state and a bit of northeastern Oregon is notably rainy; east of the Cascades the climate is much more arid. Nonetheless, 40% of the state is or was forested.

Related Topics:
State - United States - Pacific Ocean - California - Washington - Idaho - Nevada - Columbia River - Snake River - Coastal Range - Cascade Mountain Range - Willamette Valley

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The state's name is properly pronounced {{IPA|/ˈɔr.ə.g(ə)n/}}. The pronunciation {{IPA|/ˈɔr.ə.ˌgɑn/}} is also common, but considered incorrect by locals, who have been known to sport T-shirts and bumper stickers spelling the name "Orygun" in order to educate visitors.

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A 1977 article in U.S. News and World Report described Oregon as a

Related Topics:
1977 - U.S. News and World Report

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:state of scenic grandeur and easygoing individualism is writing the preface to what may be the future for all Americans: simple living, conservation, and limited growth.

Related Topics:
Americans - Conservation - Limited growth

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That description still applies over a quarter-century later. Oregonians are proud of their state's beautiful forests and streams, and place great importance on proper use of their natural resources. They struggle to balance this with the desire to support the development needed to support its increasing population without losing what attracts people to Oregon in the first place. The state has pioneered some innovative solutions to the nation's environmental problems, such as the Oregon Bottle Bill, but has also suffered from the rapid pace of logging in its forests.

Related Topics:
Oregonian - Natural resource - Oregon Bottle Bill

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Its population in 2000 was 3,421,399, a 20.4% increase over 1990; as of July 2004, the population had grown to an estimated 3,594,586.

Related Topics:
Population in 2000 - As of July 2004

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