The State of Oregon - An Introduction to the Beaver State from NETSTATE.COM
The State of Oregon
Rugged Southern Oregon Coastline
The spectacular beauty of Oregon leaves no visitor untouched. The state is home to deep vast forests, volcanic peaks, fertile valleys, plateaus, and an incredibly rugged coastline. To stand on one of the cliffs overlooking the Pacific is awe-inspiring, and the irony of the name Pacific is obvious when the ocean thrashes the beaches and rocks below.
Oregon also is home to the deepest lake in America. With a depth of 1,932 feet, Crater Lake is a sight not to be missed. Deep, deep blue on a brilliant day, surrounded by the evergreen forest, Crater Lake is a uniquely wondrous and beautiful piece of Oregon's gorgeous terrain.
The largest reserves of standing timber in the country contribute to Oregon's status as the leading producer of timber and plywood. The state has consistently attempted to balance the needs of the timber industry with environmental concerns.
Oregon State Capitol, Salem
The origin of the name Oregon is not certain. One theory has it that the name comes from the French Canadian word "ouragan" meaning "storm" or "hurricane." It's thought that the Columbia River was at one time called "the river of storms" by Canadian fur traders plying their trade in the area.
Another suggestion is that the name of the state came from the Spanish word "orejon" meaning "big-ear." This was a term that was applied to many Indian tribes in the area.
A third idea suggests that the name of this state comes from the Spanish word "orégano" for the wild sage which grows so vigorously in eastern Oregon.
THE STATE NICKNAMES:
The Beaver State
Oregon is called "The Beaver State" because of the association of beavers with the early history of the state and because of the admirable qualities of intelligence, industry, and ingenuity that are associated with this animal. The beaver is the official state animal and is displayed on the Oregon state flag .
The Web-foot State
Anyone who's been to Oregon will surely understand that this nickname comes from the amount or rain that falls in the state, most of it in the western 1/3 of the state. Precipitation
can average from 40 to more than 180 inches a year in some areas.
The Hard-case State
or "The Land of Hard Cases" was a nickname that was given to Oregon because of the hardships encountered by early settlers in the area.
The Sunset State
Oregon was called "The Sunset State" because of its far west location. At the time Oregon joined the Union, in 1859, it was the most westerly of all the states. This position was lost when Washington joined the Union in 1889 and again when Alaska joined in 1959.