Fun Facts and Information
for Visiting Oregon

How to Pronounce those Names

Many of the names of rivers, towns and even the state are often mispronounced. Here is a little guide on how to sound like a native Oregonian.

  • Oregon... Pronounced Or-E-Gun, not Oreegone or Argone.
  • Willamette Valley and River... Pronounced Will-Lamb-It, not Willametee or Whileamet

Interesting Oregon Facts

Oregon's highest elevation is Mt. Hood. Mt. Hood is in the volcanic mountain range of the Cascades. The Cascades range from southern British Columbia to Northern California. The range includes the nearby and explosive Mt. St. Helens.

Mt. Hood boasts of 100 of miles of ski trails, two large ski resorts (Timberline and Hood Meadows) and a smaller ski area (Ski bowl).

Oregon's lowest elevation is the Oregon Coast at the Pacific Ocean. Oregon is almost surrounded on three sides with water. The Pacific Ocean to the west, The Columbia River to the North and the Snake River to the East.

Many people think of Oregon as a rainy state, but actually over 2/3 of Oregon is a semi-arid high desert.

Oregon has no self-serve gas stations. So when you go to fill up, remember to stay in your car... the attendant should be there promptly, and you can pay from your car at most stations.

Oregon can boast about many things:

  • The home of the End of the Oregon Trail is in Oregon City
  • The end of the Lewis and Clark expedition is in Seaside.
  • Crater Lake is the deepest lake in the United States.
  • Oregon has 9 recognized Native American tribes.
  • The Oregon State Beavers and the University of Oregon Ducks football teams meet annually in the Civil War, one of the oldest college football rivalries in the United States, dating back to 1894.
  • The Marionberry was cultivated in Oregon. It is generally larger and sweeter then a blackberry. Be sure to have a slice of Marionberry pie.
  • The grass seed capital of the World is in the Willamette Valley.
  • There are 42 cover bridges in Oregon. Many close to Albany and Scio (pronounced Sigh-o).
  • Oregon is home to the world's shortest river... The D River. It is 121 feet long and flows into the Pacific at Lincoln City.
  • The International Rose Test Garden in Portland is the oldest continuously operating public rose test garden in the United States. It boasts of over 7000 roses with 550 varieties.
  • Hell's Canyon is the deepest river gorge in North America. In is located on the eastern border of Oregon.
  • The Willamette River is one of the few rivers in that runs South to North.
  • There are 9 lighthouses in Oregon.
  • Oregon has over 40 ghost towns.
  • Oregon is considered a recreation paradise when some of the premier places to windsurf (Columbia Gorge), ski (Mt. Hood and Mt. Bachelor), and climb (Smith Rock State Park).

How to Dress and Act Like a Native Oregonian

Yes were are a little different here in the Pacific Northwest. In the Willamette Valley where we have the most rainfall, Oregonians general distain the use of umbrellas. Umbrellas are only for the really heavy down pours. That being said, most of us own rubberized shoes of some sort.

While dressing for the cooler months, Oregonians can usually be spotted wearing a Parka, t-shirt, cargo shorts, socks and sandals.

Oregonians almost never litter. The 1971 Oregon Bottle Bill enacted a container deposit program in Oregon. The first of it's kind in the United States. Since bottles/cams are worth money, they almost never go in the trash can. The bottle bill along with SOLV (Stop Oregon Litter and Vandalism), and the Keep Oregon beautiful campaign have reduced Oregon's litter.