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Montana Facts

Montana Facts
The State of Montana is located in the western United States. It shares state borders with Idaho, South Dakota, North Dakota and Wyoming. Montana also shares an international border with the Canadian provinces of Saskatchewan, Alberta and British Columbia. It is the 4th largest U.S. state with 147,040 square miles. Montana is the 44th most populated state with approximately 1,005,141 residents, and it is ranked as the 48th most densely populated state. Prior to European exploration and settlement by the French, Montana was inhabited by various Native tribes including the Crow, Cheyenne, Blackfeet and Assiniboine. Following many years of conflict for the region, Montana became the 41st U.S. state in 1889 when it joined the Union.
Interesting Montana Facts:
The name Montana is derived from the Spanish word meaning mountainous.
Montana's state nicknames are the Treasure State and Big Sky Country.
Montana's state motto is 'Oro y plata' which means gold and silver.
Montana's state song is 'Montana'.
Montana's capital city is Helena and its largest city is Billings.
The state flag for Montana was adopted officially in 1905 which features the state seal with Montana's landscape on a blue background.
Montana's residents are called Montanans.
Montana's state bird is the western meadowlark.
The state fish for Montana is the cutthroat trout and the state animal is the grizzly bear.
Montana's state flower is the bitterroot and the state grass is bluebunch wheatgrass.
Montana's state tree is the Ponderosa pine.
Montana's state fossil is the Maiasaura peeblesorum which was a duckbilled dinosaur. This was the first dinosaur species fossil launched into space.
There have been many dinosaur fossils found in Montana including Ceratops, Stegoceras, Tyrannosaurus and Albertosaurus.
Montana's major rivers include Clark Fork River, Missouri River and Yellowstone River.
Montana's major lakes include Fort Peck Lake and Flathead Lake.
Montana has 56 counties, 7 state forests and 50 state parks.
Montana's major agriculture includes sugar beets, wheat, barley, rye, oats, flaxseed and potatoes.
Montana's major industry includes cattle, sheep, mining, lumber, oil and tourism.
Tourism is important to Montana's economy and attractions include hunting, fishing, dude ranching, skiing, sightseeing, hiking and camping.
The largest migratory elk heard in the United States is located in Montana.
Montana's wildlife population is healthy with an average of 3.3 deer, 1.4 pronghorn antelope and 1.4 elk per square mile of land.
The only North American gem to be included in England's Crown Jewels is the Montana Yogo Sapphire.
Montana has more mammal species than any other state.
Ekalaka, Montana was named after Sitting Bull's (famous Sioux Indian chief) daughter.
The largest grizzly bear population in the lower 48 states is in Montana.
Wild buffalo can still be seen at the National Bison Range in Moiese, Montana.
Helena, Montana had more millionaires per capita in 1888 than any other city worldwide.
Lola Hot Springs on Lola Pass was home to the first North American luge run, built in 1965.
The highest point in Montana is 12,799 feet at Granit Peak.
Lt. Col. George Armstrong Custer and his troops made their last stand in the historic Little Bighorn Battle just south of Billings, Montana.


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