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Oregon was the 33rd state to be admitted into the Union.  This took place on February 14, 1859.  The capital city is Salem, but probably the best known city is Portland.  With an area of about 3.6 million people in an area of about 96,000 square miles.  Oregon is known for its Pacific coastline and towering mountain peaks in the Cascades.  The highest peak is Mt. Hood at 11, 239 feet. The Cascades split the state into two main climate regions - the eastern half is dry, while the western part is wet and mild to the proximity of the ocean.

One of the most famous things Oregon is known for is the trail leading west that has its name.  The Oregon Trail was one of the main overland migration routes on the North American continent, leading from locations on the Missouri River to the Oregon Country.

Between 1841 and 1869 the Oregon Trail was used by settlers, ranchers, farmers, miners, and businessmen migrating to the Pacific Northwest. The eastern half of the trail was also used by travelers on the California Trail, Bozeman Trail, and Mormon Trail which used much of the same trail before turning off to their separate destinations. Once the first transcontinental railroad by the Union Pacific and the Central Pacific was completed in 1869, the use of this trail by long distance travelers rapidly diminished as the railroad was able to fulfill most travel needs. By 1883 the Northern Pacific Railroad had reached Portland, Oregon. Roads were built over or near most of the trail as local travelers traveled to cities originally established along the Oregon Trail.

Download the State of Oregon Reference Map

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