- This article is about the state. For other meanings, see Montana (disambiguation).
Montana is a state in the western United States. The name probably comes from the Spanish word montaña ("mountain"). The state ranks fourth in size but has a low population and population density, with much of the state being rural. The economy is primarily ranching-based, with some agricultural crops (wheat, barley, sugar beets) and a significant lumber and mineral industry.
The western one-third of the state is primarily mountainous terrain, while the eastern two-third is part of the northern Great Plains. Originally inhabited by American Indians, The Lewis and Clark Expedition of 1804-1806 was the first group of European-American explorers to cross Montana. Modern-day Montana became Montana Territory in 1864 and later became the 41st state in 1889. The state became the first to elect a female member of Congress, Jeannette Rankin. Despite its sizable American Indian population, Montana is one of the most homogenous states--nearly nine-tenths of Montanans are White. The state is generally regarded as Republican; many are surprised to hear that the state has a Democratic governor (Brian Schweitzer), Democratic-controlled legislature (the Montana State Legislature), and one Democratic U.S. Senator (Max Baucus).
The state capital is Helena. The largest city is Billings. Its U.S. postal abbreviation is MT. The USS Montana was named in honor of the state.
Geography
Main articles: List of Montana counties, List of Montana rivers
Montana and Canada share a 545 mile (877 km) northern border. The state borders the Canadian provinces of British Columbia, Alberta and Saskatchewan. This area is often called the "High Line." To the east is the border with North Dakota; to the southeast is a short border with South Dakota. In the south is the Wyoming border, and on the west and southwest is the Idaho border.
With a land area of 145,552 square miles (376,978 km²), the state of Montana is the fourth largest in the United States (after Alaska, Texas, and California). Major rivers in the state include the Missouri, Clark Fork of the Columbia, Milk, Flathead and Yellowstone. Montana is also one of many areas to claim the disputed title of "world's shortest river" (the Roe River).
Montana contains Glacier National Park and portions of Yellowstone National Park. Other sites include the Little Bighorn National Monument, Bighorn Canyon National Recreational Area, Big Hole National Battlefield, and the National Bison Range. There are also a number of National Forests and National Wildlife Refuges. The Federal government administers 36,000,000 acres (146,000 km²). 275,000 acres (1100 km²) are administered as state parks and forests.
The surface of the state is highly diverse. In the west it is extremely mountainous. The Bitterroot Mountains form part of the western boundary line, and east of this the main chain of the Rocky Mountains cross the state. Between these ranges is a great basin, forming one-fifth of the entire area. East of the Rocky Mountains is a rolling tableland, part of the Great Plains, which extend into the Dakotas. In the south near the Yellowstone River the mountains reach an altitude of over 10,000 feet (3,000 m) and the peaks are perpetually covered with snow. Besides the prominent mountain ranges there are many spurs, detached ridges, and smooth, sloping buttes. The mountains are intersected by numerous valleys and canyons, through which flow several beautiful rivers. The highest point in the state, Granite Peak, is 12,799 feet (3,901 m) high.
The principal river systems in Montana are the Clark Fork of the Columbia, the Missouri, and the Yellowstone. The Clark Fork of the Missouri (not to be confused with the Clarks Fork of the Yellowstone River) rises in the Rocky Mountains near Butte, and after flowing west turns north and forms portion of the Idaho boundary. The Missouri river, formed by the Jefferson, Madison and Gallatin rivers crosses the central part of the state, flows through the Missouri breaks and later enters North Dakota. The Yellowstone, a tributary of the Missouri, rises in Yellowstone Park in Wyoming, flows northeast across the state through canyons and gorges, and enters the Missouri River a few miles east of the North Dakota boundary.
Vegetation of the area includes pine, larch, fir, spruce, aspen, birch, redcedar, ash, and alder trees. Additionally, flowers native to Montana include asters, bitterroots, daisies, lupins, poppies, primroses, columbine, lilies and dryads. Sagebrush and various species of grass are common plants in the region, and forests cover 1/4 of the state.
History
Native Americans were the first inhabitants of modern-day Montana. Groups included the Crows in the south-central area, the Cheyenne in the southeast, the Blackfeet, Assiniboine and Gros Ventres in the central and north-central region and the Kootenai and Salish in the western sector. The smaller Pend d'Oreille and Kalispel tribes were found around Flathead Lake and the western mountains, respectively.
Montana became a United States territory (Montana Territory) on May 26, 1864 and the 41st state on November 8, 1889.
The Englarged Homestead Act of the early 1900's greatly affected the settlement of Montana. This Act expanded the land that was provided by the Homestead Act of 1862 from 160 acres to 320 acres. When the latter Act was signed by President Taft, it also reduced the time necessary to prove up from five years to three years and permitted five months' absence from the claim each year.
In 1908, the Sun River Irrigation Project was opened up for homesteading. Under this Reclamation Act, a person could obtain 40 acres. The Sun River Valley is located west of Great Falls. Most of the people who came to file on these homesteads were young couples who were eager to live near the mountains where hunting and fishing were good. Many of these homesteaders came from the Midwest and Minnesota.
Montana was the scene of the Native Americans' last effort to keep their land. For instance, the last stand of U.S. Army Lt. Colonel George Armstrong Custer was fought in Montana near the present day town of Hardin. Montana was also the location of the final battles of the Nez Perce Wars.
Cattle ranching has long been central to Montana's history and economy. The Grant-Kohrs Ranch National Historic Site in Deer Lodge Valley is maintained as a link to the ranching style of the late 19th century. It is operated by the National Park Service, but is also a 1900 acre (7.7 km²) working ranch.
Law and government
See: List of Montana Governors
The capital of Montana is Helena and its current Governor is Brian Schweitzer (Democrat) who was sworn in on January 3, 2005. Its two U.S. senators are Max Baucus (Democrat) and Conrad Burns (Republican). Montana's lone congressman is Denny Rehberg (Republican).
Though generally considered a Republican state (George Bush won it by twenty percentage points with 59.1% of the vote in 2004), Montana elected its first Democratic Governor in 16 years in 2004, and both chambers of the legislature were taken over by the Democrats in the 2004 election. The state last supported a Democrat for president in 1992, Bill Clinton's first election. Sen. Burns is widely considered one of the most vulnerable incumbents going into 2006, and many across the country believe that Montana will become a swing state by 2008. Only five of Montana's counties tend to vote Democratic in national elections.
Several Indian reservations are located in Montana: Fort Peck Indian Reservation, Fort Belknap Indian Reservation, Northern Cheyenne Indian Reservation, Crow Indian Reservation, Rocky Boys Indian Reservation, Blackfeet Indian Reservation, and the Flathead Indian Reservation.
Economy
The Bureau of Economic Analysis estimates that Montana's total state product in 2003 was $26 billion. Per capital personal income in 2003 was $25,406, 47th in the nation. Its agricultural outputs are cattle, wheat, barley, sugar beets, hay, and hogs. Its industrial outputs are mining, lumber and wood products, food processing, and tourism.
Demographics
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Population
- 2000 Census - 902,195
- 2003 estimate - 917,621
Racial makeup
The five largest ancestry groups in Montana are:
German (27%), Irish (14.8%), English (12.7%), Norwegian (10.6%), American (5.1%).
German-Americans are the largest part of the population in most of Montana. Residents of Scandinavian ancestry are a plurality in parts of the state, particularly in the northeast. There are several predominantly American Indian counties, especially in the north and east. The residents of the western Rocky Mountains are largely of British origin. Silver Bow county is largely Irish-American.
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Religious makeup
- 82% Christian
- 0% Non-Christian religions
- 18% No Religion
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Important cities and towns
Montana's largest city is Billings.
Some of the major cities and towns in Montana are:
Education
Colleges and universities
Professional sports teams
The Minor League baseball teams are:
Ski areas
Montana has several ski areas including:
Miscellaneous information
Transportation
The current Montana sample license plate. A variety of other license plate images are available in Montana as fund-raisers for non-profit organizations.
Major highways include:
Further reading
- Howard, Joseph Kinsey. Montana: High, Wide, and Handsome. Bison Books: 2003. ISBN 0803273398.
- Lang, William L., et. al. Montana: A History of Two Centuries. University of Washington: 1991. ISBN 0295971290.
- Toole, Kenneth Ross. Montana: An Uncommon Land. University of Oklahoma: 1984. ISBN 0806118903.
- Doig, Ivan, Dancing at the Rascal Fair.
- Doig, Ivan, English Creek.
- MacLean, Norman, A River Runs Through It.
- MacLean, Norman, Young Men and Fire.
External links
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