On the east slopes of the mountains, dry winds take moisture from semi-arid lands on the high plateaus and deserts. This varied climate has created a broad mix of vegetation ranging from rain forests in the coastal region to sagebrush and juniper-covered plateaus and plains in the mid and eastern parts of the region. The nearly 174 million acres of land in the region are classified by use. Crop lands total 20,800,000 acres, while 85,800,000 acres are forests and 58,700,000 acres are range lands. Economic leaders in the region are agriculture, timber and tourism.
Largest employers are service industries, manufacturing and retailing.
More than 8 million people live in the Northwest, according to the 1980 census. Ore. This predicted growth is expected to bring heavy demand on municipal and industrial water supplies, electrical energy, irrigation flows, recreational, and other essential resources.