Oregon

Oregon is a state in the Pacific Northwest region of the Western United States. The Columbia River forms much of Oregon’s northern border with Washington, while its eastern boundary with Idaho is marked by the Snake River. The southern boundary with California or Nevada is delineated by the 42deg north parallel.

Oregon has been home to many indigenous nations for thousands of years. In the early-mid 16th Century, European traders, explorers and settlers began exploring Oregon’s Pacific coast. The Spanish started sending ships from the Philippines to the north, riding the Kuroshio Current on a circular route that traversed the northern part the Pacific. This was done as early as 1564. In 1592, Juan de Fuca undertook detailed mapping and studies of ocean currents in the Pacific Northwest, including the Oregon coast as well as the strait now bearing his name. Spanish ships, 250 in number, would not normally land before reaching Cape Mendocino in California. (June 2022)”>clarification needed] but some landed or wrecked in what is now Oregon. Nehalem stories recount strangers and the discovery items such as chunks of beeswax or a lidded vase of silver, which are likely to be connected to the 1707 San Francisco Xavier wreck. (June 2022)”>failed verification]

In 1843, an autonomous government was formed in the Oregon Country, and the Oregon Territory was created in 1848. On February 14, 1859, Oregon became the 33rd U.S. state. Oregon is home to 4 million people and covers 98,000 sq mi (250,000 km). It is also the largest state in the U.S. Salem, Oregon’s capital, is home to 169,798 people. Portland, with 647,805, ranks as the 26th among U.S. cities. With a population of 2,453,168, the Portland metropolitan area also includes Vancouver, Washington.