Oregon Land for Sale

Oregon is located in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States, bordered by the Pacific Ocean to the west, California and Nevada to the south, Idaho and the Snake River to the east, and Washington and the Columbia River to the north. It is the ninth largest by area and the 23rd most populated state. The Willamette Valley area in Western Oregon is the most densely populated and contains eight of the ten most populated cities. Salem is the capital, and Portland is the largest city in the state. Other large cities include Eugene, Gresham, Hillsboro, Beaverton, Bend, Medford, Springfield and Corvallis. There are still nine federally recognized Native American tribes in the state. Oregon has a diverse landscape, with the windy Pacific coastline, the Cascade Range dotted with volcanoes, abundance bodies of water west of the Cascades, dense evergreen and deciduous forests at lower elevations, and high desert covering much of the eastern part all the way to the Great Basin. Mount Hood is the state's highest point, and Crater Lake is the deepest lake in the country.

Due to its diverse landscapes and waterways, Oregon's economy is largely powered by various forms of agriculture, fishing and hydroelectric power. It is the top timber producer in the lower 48 states. The Willamette Valley area produced over 100 million pounds of blueberries in 2016, and Oregon is one of four major world hazelnut-growing regions, producing 95 percent of domestic hazelnuts in the country. There are nearly 700 wineries and vineyards throughout the state, with many of the same varieties of grapes found in the French regions of Alsace and Burgundy. The Southern Oregon coast produces 7 percent of cranberries in the United States. Irrigated and dry wheat is grown in the area around Pendleton. Cattle, sheep, dairy products, eggs, and poultry are also important agricultural products. Oregon has one of the largest salmon-fishing industries in the world. Technology is also a major part of the economy, with the establishment of the Silicon Forest in the 1970s, and large companies manufacturing computer components and research equipment. There are also several large and small athletic clothing companies in the state in the areas around Portland. Oregon supports seven public universities and one affiliate in the state. University of Oregon in Eugene, Oregon State University in Corvallis, and Portland State University are classified as research universities with very high or high research activity. Regional universities include Western Oregon University in Monmouth, Southern Oregon University in Ashland and Eastern Oregon University in La Grande. The Oregon University of Technology's campus is in Klamath Falls and Oregon Health and Science University in Portland includes medical, dental, and nursing schools.

Much of the tourism in the state is centered on the state's natural features, with many mountains, forests, waterfalls, rivers, beaches, and lakes. Another draw is the state's lack of sales tax, which attracts shoppers from neighboring states. There are more than 150 state parks, forests, and other protected areas, and more than 40 national protected areas, including 16 national forests. Most notable are Crater Lake National Park, Oregon Caves National Monument and Preserve, the state and national forests, Hart Mountain National Antelope Refuge, Crane Mountain National Recreation Trail, Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area, and Cape Blanco State Park, just to name a few. Mount Hood and Mount Bachelor draw many visitors year-round for skiing and other winter activities. Some attractions in the Portland area include the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry, the Portland Art Museum and the Oregon Zoo, the oldest zoo west of the Mississippi River. Portland features the largest number of breweries of any city in the world and is also known for its street food. The Oregon Coast features the Oregon Coast Aquarium, one of the top ten aquariums in North America. Some notable private institutions include University of Portland, Marylhurst University, and Reed College.