Oregon is one of fifty American States. It is located in the region of the Pacific States, bordering Washington to the north, California and Nevada to the south, Idaho to the east, and the Pacific Ocean to the west. Orgeon is known for its natural beauty; its abundant forests cover about half of its territory.
The first to land in the territory of the State were the Spaniards, however the first to explore the region in detail was the British James Cook, in 1778. Americans arrived in the region only in 1788. The territory was disputed between the two countries, until in 1846, the United States and the United Kingdom reached an agreement, in which the region passed to the definitive control of the Americans. It was elevated to the status of State on February 14, 1859.
Oregon has a lot of rivers and lakes, such as Crater, the deepest lake in the United States. The state's rugged terrain leads to the formation of many waterfalls. Due to the proximity of the Pacific Ocean, Oregon has relatively high temperatures, considering the temperatures that a northern state like this one normally has. In summer, the average temperature is 23ºC; in winter, 0ºC.
The manufacture of industrialized products, such as electronic equipment, accounts for a significant part of its GDP. However, it is the tertiary sector that generates most of the state's wealth. Oregon has the second highest unemployment rate in the United States, second only to Alaska. Its largest city is Portland, which has an estimated population of 562,690 inhabitants.
