Chapter 2

Physical geography 

      Oregon is mostly mountainous and forested state.One can experience contrasting climates within the state because elevation, orthographic precipitation, and rain shadow effects gives a complex climates ranging from ever green forest to desert.

Physio graphic regions of Oregon.

The above map illustrates the six physiographic region and how they influence the climate in the each region.

1. Coast Range- This is where Portland and states capital Salem is situated.This region has mild marine coast climate.The participation is copious and year around due to marine cold air mass from North West Pacific.

Coastal Range

2. Willamette Lowland- This fertile valley region situated between cascade mountain and coastal range mountains.Most the agriculture takes place in this region because of the stable mild climate.Also most the state population lives in this region.

Willamette Valley

3.Cascade mountains- This region has tall mountains such as Mt.Hood which is 11245 feets , highest point in the state.These tall mountain range reduce the moisture of marine air mass even further after coastal mountain range.Snow fall is common in higher altitude.

Scenic Cascade range

4. Columbia plateau- This region is mostly flat and drier.However rivers and flat surface make this land similar great plains region.wheat,grains and livestock are raised in this region

5.Basin and range region- The driest region in the state because rain shadow effect  and lack of natural water resources make these region hot and drier.High dessert is located in this region which has arid desert climate.

High Desert in South eastern Oregon

6. Klamath Mountain- This region is rugged and  lightly populated with mountain which boarders California in South.This region is relatively drier than Coastal range because cold air masses from North West is loses some of it moisture in Coastal range.

Klamath range

http://www.wrcc.dri.edu/narratives/OREGON.htm

Photo credits- Wikipedia, Yahoo Images