The Treasure State " MONTANA"

Geography - Culture - History

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Visitors love Montana. Spectacular snow-covered mountains, vast prairie lands, and beautiful forests make Montana a special place. Wild rivers and streams are filled with rainbow trout and other fishes. Elk, bear and other wildlife are bountiful in Montana. Montana's early history is a story of Indians, mountain men, and prospectors. Until the mid-1800s, thousands of buffalo grazed the short-grass prairies. In the 1870s, large cattle ranches developed thoughout many areas in Montana Territory. Later, many homesteaders arrived to settle the land and build towns. Home was often a log cabin. Statehood was achieved in 1889. Today, agriculture, manufacturing, and service-related industries (such as tourism), dominate Montana's economy. With a population of 902,195 people in a land area of 147,000 square miles, Montana is a sparsely populated state. So there's plenty of room to roam, in the countryside and in the cities. Eastern Montana is an area of rolling plains. Grasslands with few trees dominate the landscape. Huge wheat farms and cattle ranches are common in eastern Montana. In central Montana, the plains are dotted with small mountain ranges. Cattle ranching is a way of life. Mule deer and antelope roam the prairies throughout eastern and central Montana. Western Montana is a region of magnificent mountains. Welcome to the Rocky Mountains. The Absaroka Range near Billings is snow covered much of the year and reaches over 12,000 feet in elevation. The wild and pristine landscape of western Montana is home to mountain lions, and grizzly bears. Gray wolves are common in Yellowstone Park. Montana has exciting historical places. Wonderful museums are found in cities, big and small. Fishing, hunting, camping, and skiing are popular activities. "Old West" traditions live on in Montana. Cowboys drive cattle high up into the mountains to feed on lush summer grasses. Indians, in full native dress, gather to celebrate their customs at the Lewis and Clark County fairgrounds in Helena and other areas of the state. Montana is called the "Treasure State." This slogan symbolizes the wealth derived from the state's rich gold and silver deposits. True to its history, Montana is a genuine treasure, with its abundant natural resources and friendly people.