SALEM REGION OVERVIEW

Situated at the 45th parallel in the center of the Willamette Valley, Salem is home of the Oregon State Capitol, its urban downtown full of lively shops, restaurants, museums and attractions. Salem is also smack-dab in the heart of one of the most agriculturally productive regions in the world. Namely, you’ll find some of Oregon’s tastiest berries, hazelnuts, honeys and cheeses, and handcrafted artisan products from chocolates and jams to ciders and blended spirits. The vineyards that blanket the valley throughout the fertile Van Duzer Corridor and Eola-Amity Hills wine-growing areas produce award-winning wines, ready to sip and savor.

Step back for a moment and take in the breadth of the Mid-Valley area, which stretches about 44 miles north to south and 50 miles east to west. At the north is St. Paul, famous for its annual rodeo. To the west is Grand Ronde, where Native culture is on full display during its annual powwow. Travel south to Jefferson, known as the mint capital of the world and frog-jumping capital of Oregon (you can celebrate both at a summertime festival). To the east, Silverton is most famous for Silver Falls State Park and its Trail of Ten Falls, one of the state’s most beautiful and popular attractions.

Crisscrossing the Mid-Valley are the mighty Willamette and Santiam rivers and countless lakes, creeks, streams and reservoirs that visitors love to paddle, fish and boat year-round. And the lush, green old-growth forests here are playgrounds for hiking, biking and other nature-based pursuits. Whatever you’re looking for, you’re likely to find it in Salem.

DID YOU KNOW?

■ Located in both Marion and Polk counties, Salem is home to more than 168,954 residents.

■ Estimated population in Marion County is 347,818, and 86,085 in Polk County.

■ In 2016, Wine Enthusiast magazine named the Willamette Valley its “Wine Region of the Year.”

■ Oregon has no sales tax — reason enough for a shopping spree.

■ The Mid-Willamette Valley is home to seven awe-inspiring state parks.

■ The Willamette River is one of only a few rivers in the nation that runs south to north.