Oregon: The Beaver State

Original, hand-drawn story map and accompanying gifts of Oregon by renowned Illustrator and Xplorer Maps Co-Founder, Chris Robitaille.

Admitted to the Union on February 14, 1859, as the 33rd state, Oregon is the 27th most populous and the 9th largest in area encompassing approximately 100,000 square miles. Originally inhabited by Native People’s dating back almost 15,000 years, today Oregon is increasingly becoming a favorite travel destination for millions of visitors providing limitless recreational opportunities.

Fueling this sense of discovery and adventure are Oregon’s incredibly diverse landscapes and seemingly endless regional attractions. The greater Portland region is now an eclectic and bustling urban area renowned for its arts and food culture surrounded by dense forests, farms, rivers and small communities all forging their own uniqueness. 

Majestic Mount Hood (Oregon’s highest point at 11,249 feet) dominates the horizon to the east. Follow along the northern border and the Columbia River valley (where the Columbia Gorge is the largest designated National Scenic Area in the U.S.) toward the awe-inspiring Snake River Canyon and the Wallowa mountains rich in wildlife.

Central Oregon provides a high desert alpine environment where boundless recreational opportunities exist for 4 season adventures. The vineyards, forests, farms and diverse communities throughout the Willamette Valley attract visitors and artists from around the world. Southern Oregon is a hub or arts and culture in a land known for its wild rivers, deep caves and the awe-inspiring Crater Lake (deepest in the U.S.).

And perhaps most iconic of all is Oregon’s 363 miles of rugged, stunning, spectacular and PUBLIC coastline dotted with fishing villages, abundant lighthouses, and incredible marine life at virtually every bend.
Timber, technology, travel, and tourism all help shape Oregon’s identity and character. 

Oregon’s Official 7 regions:
Central Oregon; Eastern Oregon; Mount Hood and Columbia River Gorge; Oregon Coast; Portland Metro; Southern Oregon; Willamette Valley