Oregon is a state located in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. It is bordered by Washington to the north, Idaho to the east, California and Nevada to the south, and the Pacific Ocean to the west. The Columbia River forms much of Oregon’s northern border with Washington, while the Snake River forms most of its eastern border with Idaho. The Willamette Valley is a fertile agricultural region situated between Oregon’s Cascade Mountains and Coast Range. The Cascade Mountains span much of western Oregon and contain several volcanoes, including Mount Hood—the highest point in the state—and Mount Jefferson. Along with Mount Hood, other notable mountain peaks in western Oregon include South Sister, Broken Top, and Three Fingered Jack. To the east lies a large stretch of high desert known as The High Desert or Central Oregon Plateau, which includes such landmarks as Malheur National Forest and Steens Mountain. Further south lies Klamath Lake Basin and Crater Lake National Park—the deepest lake in America—while along the coast are several sandy beaches surrounded by rugged cliffs.
Major Cities
According to COUNTRYAAH, Oregon has many major cities, each with its own unique atmosphere and culture. Portland is the largest city in the state and is known for its vibrant art and music scene, as well as its diverse neighborhoods. The city of Eugene is home to the University of Oregon and offers a variety of outdoor activities including biking, kayaking, and hiking. Salem is the state’s capital city and is known for its historic downtown area. Bend is a popular tourist destination with plenty of outdoor recreation opportunities such as skiing, snowboarding, camping and fishing. Lastly, Medford is a mid-sized city located in Southern Oregon that has plenty of arts and culture events to explore.
Primary Schools
Oregon is home to many excellent primary schools. One of the best is Portland’s Catlin Gabel School, which offers an innovative curriculum that emphasizes experiential learning. Students are exposed to a wide range of subjects, including Spanish, art, music, and science. The school also offers a variety of extracurricular activities such as basketball and robotics. Another top school in Oregon is Beaverton’s Arts and Communication Magnet Academy (ACMA), which focuses on the creative arts while also providing students with a rigorous academic program. ACMA offers classes in theater, dance, music, photography, and visual arts. It also provides students with the opportunity to participate in robotics competitions and other special events throughout the year.
Secondary Schools
Oregon is home to many excellent secondary schools, ranging from public to private. Public schools offer students a wide variety of educational opportunities and are funded by the state. They typically offer a comprehensive range of classes, including core subjects such as math, science, and language arts as well as electives like art, music, and physical education. Private schools are also available in Oregon; these are typically faith-based or specialized institutions that often have higher tuition costs than public schools but may offer more rigorous academic programs or specialized curricula. Some private secondary school options in Oregon include Jesuit High School in Portland, Catlin Gabel School in Portland, Oregon Episcopal School in Portland, and Salem Academy Charter School in Salem.
Higher Education
Oregon State University is one of the top three colleges in Oregon. Founded in 1868, it is the largest public research university in the state, and offers over 200 undergraduate and graduate degree programs. The university is located in Corvallis, Oregon and has a student body of around 30,000 students. Oregon State University is known for its excellence in academics, extracurricular activities, and research opportunities. It offers a wide range of courses from engineering to business to health sciences. The university also has a vibrant campus life with over 350 student organizations, an active Greek life community, and numerous cultural events throughout the year.
University of Oregon is another great college option for students looking to pursue higher education in Oregon. Located in Eugene, this public research university was founded in 1876 and currently has an enrollment of more than 24,000 students. UO is home to nine different schools and colleges offering a variety of undergraduate degrees as well as graduate degrees including law and medicine. UO stands out for its strong academic programs as well as its innovative approaches to teaching that emphasize experiential learning opportunities both inside and outside the classroom.
Finally, Portland State University rounds out our top three colleges in Oregon list. Established in 1946 as an extension branch of Oregon State University, PSU was granted independent status in 1969 making it the only urban-focused public university within the state’s higher education system. Located just minutes from downtown Portland, PSU offers over 200 undergraduate majors along with numerous graduate programs including business administration and engineering management degrees that are available online or through evening classes for working professionals or those with busy schedules.
