The state of
Oregon has one of the most diverse landscapes of any state in the Union, with its towering, thick forests, arid scrublands, wide prairies, deserts and scenic Pacific coastline. Oregon lies in the northwest section of the
USA, bordered by the ocean, and the states of
California,
Washington,
Idaho and
Nevada. Along its northern boundary lies the
Columbia River, and its area encompasses the fertile Willamette Valley and two mountain ranges (Pacific Coast and Cascade) where lift-serviced alpine skiing is offered throughout the year.
Most of Oregon's countryside, from beaches and
valleys to mountain peaks, is unspoiled, and the state has been dubbed 'God's country'. The state boasts natural attractions like Hell's Canyon, the deepest river-carved gorge in northern America, as well as more than 6,000 lakes (including famous Crater Lake, deepest lake in the USA) and more than a hundred thousand miles of rivers and streams. In addition more than half of the state is covered in natural forest. This makes it a delight for nature lovers, although its merits as a tourist destination are somewhat marred by an over-abundance of rainy days.
Although
Salem is the state capital, the largest city in Oregon is
Portland, straddling the
Willamette River. The modern, compact and vibrant city is the commercial and tourist hub of the state, famed for its locally brewed beer and multitude of roses.
It is far easier to head west on the 'Oregon Trail' today than it was for the historic pioneers in their covered wagons, but visitors are no less delighted by the charms of this destination than were the gutsy emigrants of the mid-1800s.
