The end of the road for wagon trains bound westward over the Oregon Trail, the Pacific Northwest became more accessible after completion of a transcontinental railroad line to Portland in 1883. Today its location on the Pacific Rim is one of Oregon's greatest assets: Most of its international trade is with Asia, and Portland serves as a large distribution center for Japanese autos.

Hydroelectricity generated on the Columbia River has powered industry since World War II. Forests cover half the state, and the lumber and wood-products industries bring in some $3.3 billion annually. Fruits and vegetables grow in the Willamette Valley, and wheat grows east of the Cascades. Natural resources are managed carefully, and Oregon's land-use and recycling laws set standards for the nation.