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[[Image:Oregon_State_Flag_(Back).gif|thumb|right|The back of the state flag of Oregon.]]

[[Image:Oregon_State_Flag_(Back).gif|thumb|right|The back of the state flag of Oregon.]]

'''Oregon''' is a liberal leaning, rainy state in the western United States. Its capital is Salem and largest city is Portland. Oregon became the 33rd state on Feb. 14, 1859.

'''Oregon''' is a liberal leaning, rainy state on the west coast of the United States. Its capital is Salem and largest city is [[Portland]]. Oregon became the 33rd state on Feb. 14, 1859.

 

==History==

==History==

Oregon was originally settled by many Native Americans before the [[Lewis and Clark]] expedition brought greater attention to the area from the United States and Britain.  The British had control of the majority of the territory until the Oregon Trail started in the 1840s and American settlers began moving in.  Eventually, the land was ceded to the United States in the resolution of a boundary dispute.

Oregon was originally settled by many Native Americans before the [[Lewis and Clark]] expedition brought greater attention to the area from the United States and Britain.  The British had control of the majority of the territory until the Oregon Trail started in the 1840s and American settlers began moving in.  Eventually, the land was ceded to the United States in the resolution of a boundary dispute.

==Population==

==Population==

The population is concentrated in the fertile Willamette Valley from [[Portland]] to Eugene.  The Cascade mountains divide the state into wet and dry halves, much like neighboring Washington State, but Eastern Oregon lacks the irrigation works of the Columbia basin and much more resembles Nevada.  Oregon supports a significant [[logging]] industry, largely concentrated in the western half of the state. Environmental restrictions have seveley hurt the industry, producing conservative opinions inland, but the liberal cities of Portland and Eugene generally support environmentalism.

The population is concentrated in the fertile Willamette Valley from Portland to Eugene.  The Cascade mountains divide the state into wet and dry halves, much like neighboring Washington State, but Eastern Oregon lacks the irrigation works of the Columbia basin and much more resembles Nevada.  Oregon supports a significant [[logging]] industry, largely concentrated in the western half of the state. Environmental restrictions have severely hurt the industry, producing conservative opinions inland, but the liberal cities of Portland and Eugene generally support environmentalism.

Since 2007, Oregon has offered [[domestic partnership]]s, which are similiar to [[same sex marriage]]<ref>[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Domestic_partnership_in_the_united_states en.wikipedia.org]</ref>

Since 2007, Oregon has offered [[domestic partnership]]s, which are similiar to [[same sex marriage]]<ref>[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Domestic_partnership_in_the_united_states en.wikipedia.org]</ref>

Oregon is the birthplace of author Lance Goldman, and quarterback Harry Sheilds.

Oregon is the birthplace of author Lance Goldman, and football quarterback Harry Shields.

==Politics==

==Politics==

Oregon has been a [[blue state]] in presidential elections since 1988. It had been a [[red state]] since from 1964 to 1984.

Oregon has been a [[blue state]] in presidential elections since 1988. It had been a [[red state]] from 1964 to 1984.

==Elected Officials==

==Elected Officials==

*Attorney General [[John Kroger]] (D)

*Attorney General [[John Kroger]] (D)

*Secretary of State [[Kate Brown]] (D)

*Secretary of State [[Kate Brown]] (D)

*Stae Treasurer [[Ted Wheeler]] (D)

*State Treasurer [[Ted Wheeler]] (D)

==Further reading==

==Further reading==