Oregon’s history dates to the exploration of the Northwest . First, Spanish and British explorers came up the Pacific coast in the 17th and 18th centuries. Then, following the Louisiana Purchase of 1803, Oregon was mapped by Meriwether Lewis and William Clark .

In the 1830s, pioneers arrived via the Oregon Trail, with both American and British settlers arriving. Starting in 1836, about 12,000 emigrants made the 2,000-mile trek from Missouri to the Oregon Territory, the trail most heavily used in the westward expansion of the U.S. In 1846, the border between U.S. territory and the British realm that became part of Canada was set at the 49th parallel. And in 1859, Oregon was admitted to the union.

Historically, the Pacific Ocean coastal state's economy has been based on fishing, timber and inland agriculture. In modern times, it has been transitioning to service industries and manufacturing. Most significantly, the counties centered around Portland have attracted a growing high-technology industry.

Oregon is among the most trade-dependent states. The value of exports from Oregon to foreign countries has exceeded $18 billion a year. The state's leading commodities of greenhouse and nursery products, cattle and calves, milk, hay, grass seed and wheat generate more than $4 billion a year in revenue. The state also grows almost all the hazelnuts consumed in the U.S.

Oregon also has developed one of the finest wine-making regions in the U.S., the Willamette Valley – home of wineries known for Pinot Noir and Cabernet Sauvignon.