A number of U.S. state flags, based on the military colors of local militias, originally had different designs on the obverse and reverse, but the expense and complexity of their manufacture gradually led to their replacement by simpler banners. Oregon is now the only state with such a flag, just as Paraguay is the only country to have a national flag with a different design on each side. The Oregon state flag became official on February 26, 1925. In addition to the name of the state and the date of its admission to the Union (1859), the flag features elements from the state seal on the obverse side. The Pacific Ocean with ships, mountains, and symbols of agriculture, as well as a pioneer covered wagon and the phrase "The Union," are represented. The 33 stars around the outside of the shield correspond to Oregon's order of admission to the Union. The beaver emblem on the reverse side recalls the importance of the animal to early trappers and hunters in the Pacific Northwest.

Oregon Official name: State of Oregon. State nickname: the Beaver State. Total area: 97,132 sq mi, 251,571 sq km. Population (2000): 3,421,399. Population by race, origin (1997): white non-Hispanic 88.3%; white Hispanic 5.4%; black (including Hispanic) 1.8%; American Indian/Eskimo/Aleut 1.4%; Asian/Pacific Islander 3.1%. Natural increase rate per 1,000 population (1995): 4.6 (U.S. avg. 6.0). Gross domestic (state) product (1996): U.S.$87,000,000,000 (U.S.$27,220 per capita). Land use (1992): federal land 52.6%; non-federal land 47.4%, of which forest 19.3%, cropland 6.1%, pasture 3.1%, rangeland 15.3%, urban and built-up areas 1.8%, other 1.8%. Exports by state (1997): U.S.$9,151,000,000; percent of national total 1.49%.

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