• 00:13 The west coast of the United States is heavily populated from San Diego to Seattle, but there is a large area in the middle that is almost entirely empty.
• 01:07 The region in question is the northern portion of California and the southern part of Oregon, known as the State of Jefferson.
• 02:03 The region is characterized by rugged beauty, vast forests, and mountain ranges, including Mount Shasta and Crater Lake.
• 03:14 The unique geography of the area has historically made it difficult to establish large population centers, leading to slow growth compared to its northern and southern neighbors.
• 05:06 The expansion to the West was driven by factors like the Louisiana Purchase, the Oregon Trail, and the California Gold Rush.
• 07:40 The natural geography of the region, with mountainous terrain and limited flatlands, makes it challenging to build infrastructure and establish large cities.
• 09:46 Some residents in the region have advocated for the creation of a new state called Jefferson, but forming a new state is a difficult process that requires approval from state legislatures and the U.S. Congress.
• 11:25 Despite its low population and unique challenges, the empty West has its own unique identity and continues to be attractive to those who live there.

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — A drug developed by a Vancouver company has shown a lot of promise in the battle to save people from the coronavirus.

The view from Silver Star Mountain is one of the best around. Sitting in the center of the Chinook Trail System near Battle Ground, Silver Star offers expansive vistas from the get-go, and is one of the absolute best spots in Southwest Washington for wildflowers in the springtime. The catch: you’d better have a high clearance vehicle, because you have to drive one of the worst roads in the state of Washington to access it.