Economy

Oregon's economy is based largely on service industries. A large share of the state's employment is in manufacturing. Also important are wood processing and tourism.

Finance, insurance, and real estate leads Oregon's service industries. Portland is the state's main financial center.

Wholesale and retail trade is another important part of Oregon's economy. The Port of Portland, one of the largest ports on the West Coast, handles much wholesale trade, including the import of foreign cars and the export of wheat. Nike, one of the world's major wholesale distributors of athletic shoes and other sportswear, is based in Beaverton.

Oregon has two farming regions. In western Oregon, agriculture centers in river valleys, where farms produce a diversity of crops as well as livestock. Farms and ranches in the east are devoted mainly to livestock and wheat.

Crops account for most of the state's farm income. They are grown largely in the river valleys. Much of the cropland is irrigated.

The broad Willamette Valley is by far the leading producer of crops, poultry, and dairy products. From the western valleys comes the bulk of Oregon's fruits, vegetables, berries, and nuts. Oregon is one of the nation's leading producers of some of these commodities, including sweet cherries, pears, plums, filberts, strawberries, and green snap beans. The Rogue River Valley is notable for pears, and the Hood Valley is famous for apples. The western valleys also produce a variety of specialty crops, including seeds, bulbs, nursery stock, and hops.

Beyond the Cascades, the most extensive croplands border the Columbia, Deschutes, John Day, and Snake rivers. Wheat and hay are by far the leading crops. Oat and barley production is also widespread. There are several non-grain crops, such as potatoes and sugar beets in the Snake Valley.

Rangelands, which cover considerably more area than cropland, sustain large numbers of livestock. On the vast ranges of the east, beef cattle predominate. The chief animals raised in the west are dairy cattle, sheep, pigs, and poultry.

Oregon is nationally prominent in the production of lumber. Almost half of the state's land is forested; most of the timber is of commercial quality. The federal government issues permits for logging in many areas. Douglas fir and ponderosa pine are the chief species cut. The state emphasizes reforestation and scientific forest management.

Oregon's industries owe much to the development of cheap hydroelectric power, particularly on the Columbia River. Since World War II the state has undergone tremendous industrial growth. Almost a fifth of its workers are engaged in manufacturing.

Electronic equipment is Oregon's leading product. These products include computers, computer printers, and television sets.

The manufacturing of lumber and other wood products is another important industry in the state. Products include plywood, pulp, paper, composition board (hardboard and particle board), and veneer.

Food processing is also a high-ranking manufacturing industry. It includes the canning and freezing of vegetables, fruits, and berries; packing of fresh produce; and preparation of dairy products. Although the industry is widely distributed, its main center is the Willamette Valley.

In addition to the long-established farm- and forest-based industries, new ones have developed with the expansion of power and population in the state. Particularly important are the production of primary metals, especially aluminum, and the fabrication of metal products. Other sizable industries in the state include the manufacturing of farm and factory machinery, transportation equipment, and scientific instruments. These industries are located almost entirely in the Willamette Valley, especially in the Portland metropolitan area.

Fishing is one of the oldest economic activities in the state. Oregon has a significant annual catch. Among the most valuable fish are salmon, tuna, crabs, and shrimp.

Oregon has a wide variety of minerals, but few are of commercial importance. Nonmetals—principally stone and sand and gravel—account for most of the mineral production by value. Copper, gold, lime, and pumice are also produced.

Except for the sparsely inhabited southeastern portion of the state, which has few highways, Oregon is well served by roads and highways. Two Interstate highways cross the state. One, I-5, runs north-south, between the Coast and Cascade ranges; the other, I-84, runs east-west, mainly along the Columbia River. U.S. highway 101, along the coast, is among the most scenic routes in the state. Oregon is served by several major freight railways and by Amtrak.

The Columbia River is the major inland waterway of the northwestern United States. Portland has a major seaport and handles ocean traffic by way of the Columbia and Willamette rivers. Other seaports include Coos Bay and Astoria. Oregon's busiest airport is Portland International.