After crossing Idaho, the Snake River turns north. It forms much of the Oregon-Idaho border, part of which lies in rugged Hells Canyon. The Snake River then turns west and empties into the Columbia River. The mighty Columbia forms most of the border between Oregon and Washington as it flows westward into the Pacific. The name Oregon was first applied to the Columbia.
What do you think of when you hear the name Oregon? Many people picture the snowcapped Cascades Mountains, crowned by Mount Hood in the north and Crater Lake in the south. Many others have been bewitched by the rugged Oregon coast. And, of course, there’s the majestic rainforest that ripples southward into California and northward into Washington.
Many people are surprised to learn that about two thirds of Oregon lies east of the Cascades. Compared to Western Oregon, this region is very dry.
The lavas of the Columbia Plateau stretch south from Washington to cover much of Eastern Oregon. The northern part of the plateau is mainly gently rolling hills in the west and dry uplands with narrow valleys in the east. The Blue and Wallowa mountains rise above these uplands in the northeast.
The southern part of the plateau is generally flat. Streams entering this region flow into basins to form shallow lakes such as Harney and Malheur.
South of the Columbia Plateau, southeastern Oregon belongs to the Great Basin. Long, narrow mountain ranges separated by basins occupy this desert region that stretches south into Nevada. This corner of Oregon is perhaps the loneliest place in the state.
The name Oregon for a time described the vast Oregon Territory that stretched from the Rocky Mountains to the Pacific Ocean. Many of the pioneers who followed the Oregon Trail across the continent in the 1840’s had their sights set on the fertile valley of the Willamette River in what later became the state of Oregon.
Oregon is known as a nice place to live because it is quiet and peaceful and has a mild climate. The Pacific Ocean helps keep western Oregon from getting too hot or cold. The rugged coast also keeps Oregon peaceful. Because there are few places for huge ships to dock, Oregon lacks the huge coastal cities of California and Washington.
Lower than the Cascades are the mountains of the Coast Range. They rise near the Oregon coast, which is famed for its rugged beauty. Along with rugged cliffs and rock “stacks” separated from the mainland are small, sandy beaches.
Rivers flowing down from the Coast Range and Cascades carry sediments that have been eroded from the mountains. Over millions of years, these sediments built up the fertile Willamette Valley. This is where most Oregonians live. The largest city in the state, Portland is located in the Willamette Valley, next to the Columbia River. From Portland, residents can see Mt. Hood rising into the sky, a reminder of how peaceful Oregon is. For now.
The Shock Doctrine: The Rise of Disaster Capitalism - Paperback
