Oregon
The Beaver State
Quick Stats
Map
Seal & Motto
"Alis Volat Propriis"
Latin for "She flies with her own wings," this motto captures Oregon's defining spirit of self-reliance and independence. First penned for an Oregon newspaper in 1854, it served as the unofficial state motto for over a century before being formally adopted in 1987. The phrase embodies the pioneering ethos of Oregon Trail settlers and the state's enduring identity as a national trailblazer in progressive policy, civic participation, and environmental stewardship.
Flag & Its Meaning
Oregon holds the unique distinction of being the only U.S. state with an officially two-sided flag. The obverse (front) displays the state seal on a navy blue field with "STATE OF OREGON" and "1859," while the reverse bears a large golden beaver — a design found on no other state flag in the nation.
- Navy Blue Field — Deep navy represents the vast Pacific Ocean defining Oregon's western edge and the rivers — Columbia, Willamette, and Rogue — that shaped the state's settlement and identity.
- State Name & Year — "STATE OF OREGON" arcs above the seal and "1859" appears below, making this one of the few state flags to prominently display both the name and year of statehood on its face.
- The Great Seal — The central shield depicts a covered wagon on the Oregon Trail, Pacific Ocean, Cascade mountains, a departing British ship and arriving American vessel — a visual story of Oregon's frontier origins and rise to statehood.
- Golden Beaver (Reverse) — The reverse side features Oregon's state animal in gold — honoring the fur trade that first drew European explorers and the Hudson's Bay Company to the Pacific Northwest.
State Symbols
Overview
Oregon, the "Beaver State," is a land of breathtaking geographic diversity — Pacific beaches giving way to towering coastal ranges, the lush Willamette Valley stretching east to volcanic Cascade peaks, and high desert plateaus dropping into spectacular river canyons. Portland's globally celebrated food, craft beer, and sustainability culture embodies a state that has long prized independence and relentless innovation over conformity.
Geographically, it shares borders with WA, ID, NV, and CA, forming a closely connected regional network.
Historical Significance
Oregon entered the Union on February 14, 1859 — Valentine's Day — as the 33rd state. Its modern story traces through the Lewis and Clark Expedition's winter at Fort Clatsop in 1805, the epic Oregon Trail that carried 400,000 settlers overland between 1843 and 1869, and the Donation Land Claim Act that reshaped the frontier. Oregon later became the first state to adopt vote-by-mail, physician-assisted dying, and the nation's first bottle deposit law — always forging its own path.
Famous Natives
Top Cities & Hubs
Portland
Population: ~650,000Oregon's largest city and a globally celebrated hub for food, craft beer, and progressive culture, famed for its 145 city parks, extensive bike infrastructure, and Powell's Books — an independent bookstore covering a full city block with over one million volumes.
Salem
Population: ~175,000The state capital at the heart of the fertile Willamette Valley, serving as the center for state government and agriculture while surrounded by world-class Pinot Noir vineyards and the heritage buildings of Mission Mill.
Eugene
Population: ~175,000Home to the University of Oregon and the birthplace of Nike and modern American distance running, Eugene blends a vibrant outdoor culture with deep roots in environmental activism, the arts, and track and field excellence.
Gresham
Population: ~115,000A major residential and commercial city at the foot of Mount Hood, providing direct access to world-class skiing and hiking at Timberline Lodge while functioning as an eastern gateway to the greater Portland metropolitan area.
Hillsboro
Population: ~105,000The heart of Oregon's Silicon Forest, anchored by Intel's largest global campus and dozens of semiconductor firms, driving the state's transformation into one of the nation's premier high-tech manufacturing centers.
How Oregon Ranks
Key Landmarks & Economy
Did You Know?
- Oregon is the only U.S. state with a two-sided flag — navy blue with the state seal on the front and a golden beaver on the reverse. No other American state, and few nations, maintain an officially designed reverse side for their flag.
- Portland's Powell's Books — covering an entire city block with over one million new, used, and rare volumes — is the largest independent bookstore in the world, a cultural landmark drawing bibliophiles from across the globe year-round.
- Oregon was the first state to adopt vote-by-mail for all elections in 2000, and consistently leads national rankings in voter participation — a legacy of civic independence stretching back to the state's progressive origins on the western frontier.
Additional Information
97001 (Antelope) – 97920 (Westfall)
Demographics
Population Growth
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Test Your Oregon Knowledge
5 questions about the Beaver State
What is Oregon's official state nickname?
In what year was Oregon admitted to the Union?
What makes Oregon's state flag unique among all U.S. state flags?
What is the capital city of Oregon?
Which iconic athletic brand was founded in Eugene, Oregon?