Profile: The Willamette Valley
The 2010 IB World Student Conference is just a few weeks away. Here’s another profile of where the conference is being held. This time we profile the region of Oregon known as the Willamette (pronounced wi-LAM-it) Valley.
What is the Willamette Valley?
From Travel Oregon.com:
The Willamette Valley is the heart of Oregon’s agriculture country. During spring and summer growing seasons, roadside stands dot the country lanes, and farmers’ markets appear in the valley’s historic towns. Covered bridges beckon drivers to explore the many back roads, and the valley’s flat terrain and temperate climate make it a favorite for hikers and cyclists, who also enjoy the paved paths in the college towns of Eugene and Corvallis. Nestled among its rolling hills are over 200 wineries producing a medley of vintages—Pinot noir, Pinot gris and Riesling to mention a few. The valley, dubbed Oregon’s Wine Country, is one of Oregon’s major wine-growing regions.
The Willamette Valley
Salem, Oregon is the state capitol and in the Willamette Valley
The name Willamette is supposedly of Indian origin. There is no definite source of this name or its meaning. The name Willamette is thought to mean a long, beautiful river or rainwater along the river. From Urban Scout:
“…the word Willamette comes from the Clackamas (a subsection of the lower Columbia Chinook) indians. They called the dwelling/fishing site across from where the Clackamas River enters the Willamette River, near Willamette Falls, Wallamt.”
Willamette Falls on the Willamette River
Originally, the Willamette River flows north from its source in Eugene, Oregon into the Columbia River near Portland. It has two distinctions, it is one of the few rivers in the US that flows in a northerly direction and is the largest river lying wholly within one state.
When you visit, you’ll be greeted by warm, dry weather which is typical for August in the valley. From Wikipedia:
Characterized by cool wet winters and warm dry summers, the Willamette Valley’s climate is relatively mild throughout the year. It has been described as Mediterranean, although somewhat cooler and wetter. Most valley precipitation arrives as rain, about half of which falls between December and February.
Our next profile: Oregon State University
