During the 1840s, the area that is now the state of Oregon was part of a region called the Oregon Territory. That changed in1859 when Oregon became the county's 33rd state. Today, Oregon is a spectacular land of many changes. From the rugged Oregon seacoast, to the high mountain passes of the Oregon Cascades, Oregon's natural beauty is an exciting moving destination for people of all ages. From the Oregon coast to the high deserts east of Bend, Oregon, the state is bursting with surprises.

Origin of State's Name: The origin of the state name is uncertain, but "Oregon" may have been derived from a 1715 French map that refers to the Wisconsin River as "Ouaricon-sint."

Capital City: Salem, the state capital city, is Oregon's second largest city with a population of approximately 155,000. Salem is also the county seat of Marion County, and is located in the center of the Willamette Valley, which is one of the most fertile and agriculturally productive regions in the nation. Thriving businesses abound in Salem benefit from economic diversity and a downtown that has been recognized as one of the region's most vital retail hubs in the country.

Population: Oregon has a population of approximately 3.5 million residents.

Driving: Driver's license information, applications, testing requirements, driver's manuals and testing locations can be found on the Oregon Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) website.

Agriculture and Industry: Leading agriculture includes cattle, vegetables, nursery stock, fruits and nuts, dairy products and wheat. Lumber and wood products, tourism, food processing, paper products, machinery and scientific instruments are the state's leading industries.

State Bird: The western meadowlark was chosen as the state bird of Oregon in 1927 by the state's schoolchildren in a poll sponsored by the Oregon Audubon Society.

State Tree: Oregon designated the Douglas fir as the official state tree in 1939. The Douglas fir can grow to a height of 325 feet and have a 15-foot diameter trunk.

State Flower: The Oregon grape, was designated the Oregon state flower in 1899. The Oregon grape is a shrub native to much of the Pacific coast and is also found sparsely east of the Cascades.

State Song: Written by J.A. Buchanan, "Oregon, My Oregon" is the official state song.