Oregon is known for its tall, dense forests and scenic coastline. Less well known are the deserts and prairies that cover the eastern half of the state. Two north-south mountain ranges – the Cascades and the Pacific Coast Range form the boundaries of the fertile Willamette Valley, one of the most productive agricultural regions in the world. Oregon is the ninth largest state, covering 97,073 square miles. As of July 2016, Oregon’s population was estimated at 4,093,465.