State of the Month – Oregon

Here is the next instalment of my monthly feature going through the States of the United States in alphabetical order to check out how they got named, what their flag is like and other things of interest.  Finally got to O but still won't finish until next year!

Location – Oregon is second down on the left hand side of the map.

Origin of name – said to derive from Spanish – oregano anyone?

Nicknames – The Beaver State

Flag

Capital – Salem (btw not the site of the Salem witch trials) but Portland is the largest city (but still under a million).

Unusual town name – Zigzag

Flower – Oregon grape

State Tree – Douglas Fir

Signature foods – Beaver Brand Mustard, Tillamook ice cream

Famous places to visit in Oregon – Port Orford, Ecola State Park, Mount Hood, Astoria, Cannon Beach, Portland Aerial Tram, Willamette Valley (for wine)

Famous businesses/brands – Lots of films have been shot in Oregon including Free Willy, One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest and  Kindergarten Cop.  The world hq of Nike is in Oregon.

Famous people from Oregon – Matt Groening (creator of the Simpsons), Jean Auel (author), Dick Fosbury (of the Flop)

Go to this Pinboard to see the States of the Month so far.