State Symbols of Oregon

By | Updated on January 22, 2023

Reviewed by Rittika

Oregon is a constituent state located in the Pacific Northwest region of the Western United States of America. Oregon is also known as the Beaver State. Beavers have always played a significant role in Oregon. The nickname originated in the early 19th century when fur caps were popular and Oregon streams were a valuable source of furs. Beaver was named the official state animal of Oregon in 1969. The backside of Oregon’s state flag also features a beaver.

Oregon is bounded to the north by Washington state, to the east by Idaho, to the south by Nevada and California, and to the west by the Pacific Ocean.

The state capital is Salem, and the largest city is Portland.

It was discovered by Spanish explorers and visited by Francis Drake in 1579 and James Cook in 1778. As part of the Louisiana Purchase in 1803, the United States purchased a huge piece of land. The Lewis and Clark expedition mapped Oregon in 1805. Many groups of immigrants arrived in the state in the 1830s over the renowned Oregon Trail – a more than 2,000-mile-long path for wagon trains. Oregon became the 33rd state to join the Union on February 14, 1859.

With a total area of 98,379 sq mi (254,800 sq km), Oregon is the ninth largest U.S. state in the area. The total population of the state, according to the census 2020, is 4,237,256 making it the twenty-seventh most populous. 

99% of the hazelnuts produced in the U.S. come from Oregon. In 1989, the hazelnut was recognized as Oregon’s official state nut.

The fun fact is the state’s popular Bigfoot trap which is located in Oregon’s Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest. The trap was set up in 1974. It was created to catch Bigfoot, an ape-like creature believed to reside in the forests of the Pacific Northwest. It was abandoned in the early 1980s because the trap remained empty and did not catch the Bigfoot. Many people believe that such a creature does not exist. The trap is still exhibited at the same spot and attracts hundreds of visitors each year.

In 1899, Oregon made the Oregon grape blossom its official state flower. The Western meadowlark was named Oregon’s official bird in 1927.

In 1987, Oregon made “She Flies with Her Own Wings” its official state motto. In 1927, “Oregon, My Oregon” was named the official state song of Oregon.

The state of Oregon does not have a legally recognized official language. Pacific Northwest English is the most widely spoken language in the state. Washington is the other U.S. state practicing Pacific Northwest English.

State Information

Official Language	De jure: none; De facto: Pacific Northwest English
State Rank	9
Demonym(s)	Oregonian
Nickname	The Beaver State
ISO	US-OR
Formation Date	February 14, 1859
Coordinates	Lat: 42° N to 46°18′ N, Long: 116°28′ W to 124°38′ W
Area

State seal

Motto of Oregon

Alis volat propriis-"She flies with her own wings"

State symbols of Oregon 👇

• 
  State capital
  Salem
• 
  State bird
  Western meadowlark
• 
  State flower
  Oregon grape
• 
  State fruit
  Pear
• 
  State tree
  Douglas-fir
• 
  State dance
  Square Dance
• 
  State insect
  Oregon swallowtail
• 
  State gemstone
  Sunstone
• 
  State animal
  Beaver
• 
  State fish
  Chinook Salmon

State location

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