Montana
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225961206
2008-07-16T05:45:22Z
AlexiusHoratius
2306142
add reference for areas managed by the NPS
{{Otheruses1|the U.S. State}}
{{US state |
Name = Montana|
Fullname = State of Montana |
Flag = Flag of Montana.svg |
Flaglink = [[Flag of Montana]] |
Seal = Montanastateseal.jpg |
song = "Montana"
Flower = Bitterroot|
Tree = Ponderosa Pine|
Map = Map of USA MT.svg |
Nickname = Treasure State, Big Sky Country, The Last Best Place |
Motto = Oro y plata (Gold and silver) |
Demonym = Montanan |
Capital = [[Helena, Montana|Helena]] |
OfficialLang = [[English language|English]] |
LargestCity = [[Billings, Montana|Billings]] |
LargestMetro = [[Billings Metropolitan Area]] |
Governor = [[Brian Schweitzer]] (D)|
Lieutenant Governor = [[John Bohlinger]] (R) |
Senators = [[Max Baucus]] (D)<br />[[Jon Tester]] (D) |
Representative = [[Denny Rehberg]] (R) |
PostalAbbreviation = MT |
AreaRank = 4<sup>th</sup> |
TotalAreaUS = 147,165 |
TotalArea = 381,156 |
LandAreaUS = 145,674 |
LandArea = 377,295 |
WaterAreaUS = 1,491 |
WaterArea = 3,862 |
PCWater = 1 |
PopRank = 44<sup>th</sup> |
2000Pop = 997,195 |
DensityRank = 48<sup>th</sup> |
2000DensityUS = 6.19 |
2000Density = 2.39 |
AdmittanceOrder = 41<sup>st</sup> |
AdmittanceDate = [[November 8]], [[1889]] |
TimeZone = [[Mountain Standard Time Zone|Mountain]]: [[UTC]]-7/[[Daylight saving time|DST]]-6 |
Latitude = 44° 21′ N to [[49th parallel north|49° N]] |
Longitude = 104° 2′ W to 116° 3′ W |
WidthUS = 255 |
Width = 410|
LengthUS = 630 |
Length = 1,015 |
HighestPoint = [[Granite Peak (Montana)|Granite Peak]]<ref name=usgs>{{cite web| date = [[29 April]] [[2005]] |
url = http://erg.usgs.gov/isb/pubs/booklets/elvadist/elvadist.html#Highest |
title = Elevations and Distances in the United States |
publisher = U.S. Geological Survey| accessmonthday = November 6 |
accessyear = 2006}}</ref> |
HighestElevUS = 12,799 |
HighestElev = 3,901 |
MeanElevUS = 3,396 |
MeanElev = 1,035 |
LowestPoint = [[Kootenai River]]<ref name=usgs/> |
LowestElevUS = 1,800 |
LowestElev = 549 |
ISOCode = US-MT |
Website = www.mt.gov
}}
'''Montana''' ({{IPAEng|mɒnˈtænə}}) is a [[U.S. state|state]] in the [[Western region]] of the [[United States of America]]. The central and western thirds of the state have numerous mountain ranges (approximately 77 named) of the northern [[Rocky Mountains]]; thus the state's name, derived from the [[Spanish language|Spanish]] word ''montaña'' 'mountain.' The state nickname is the "Treasure State." Other nicknames include "Land of Shining Mountains", "Big Sky Country", and the slogan "the last best place". The state ranks fourth in area, but 44th in [[population]], and therefore has the third lowest [[population density]] in the United States. The economy is primarily based on [[agriculture]] and significant [[lumber]] and [[mineral]] extraction. {{Fact|date=February 2007}} [[Tourism]] is also important to the economy, with millions of visitors a year to [[Glacier National Park (U.S.)|Glacier National Park]], the [[Battle of Little Bighorn]] site, and three of the five entrances to [[Yellowstone National Park]].
== Geography ==
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]]).
To the north, Montana and Canada share a 545 mile (877 km) [[United States-Canada border|border]]. The state borders the [[Provinces of Canada|Canadian provinces]] of [[British Columbia]], [[Alberta]], and [[Saskatchewan]], more provinces than any other state. To the east, the state borders [[North Dakota]] and [[South Dakota]]. To the south is [[Wyoming]] and to the west and southwest is [[Idaho]].
The topography of the state is diverse, but roughly defined by the [[Continental Divide]], which runs on an approximate diagonal through the state from northwest to south-central, splitting it into two distinct eastern and western regions. Montana is well known for its mountainous western region, part of the northern [[Rocky Mountains]]. However, about 60% of the state is actually prairie, part of the northern [[Great Plains]]. Nonetheless, even east of the [[Continental Divide]] and the [[Rocky Mountain Front]], there are a number of isolated "Island Ranges" that dot the prairie landscape.
[[Image:Montana Map.jpg|thumb|right|300px|Map of Montana]]
The [[Bitterroot Mountains]] divide the state from Idaho to the west with the southern third of the range blending into the Continental Divide. Mountain ranges between the Bitterroots and the top of the Continental Divide include the Cabinet Mountains, the Missions, the Garnet, Sapphire, Flint Creek, and Pintlar ranges.
The northern section of the Divide, where the mountains give way rapidly to prairie, is known collectively as the [[Rocky Mountain Front]] and is most pronounced in the [[Lewis Range]] located primarily in [[Glacier National Park (U.S.)|Glacier National Park]]. Due to the configuration of mountain ranges in Glacier National Park, the [[Northern Divide]] (which begins in Alaska's [[Seward Peninsula]]) crosses this region and turns east in Montana at [[Triple Divide Peak]]. Thus, the Waterton, Belly, and Saint Mary rivers flow north into Alberta, Canada, joining the [[Saskatchewan River]] and ultimately emptying into [[Hudson Bay]].
East of the Divide, several parallel ranges march across the southern half of the state, including the Gravelly Range, the Tobacco Roots, the Madison Range, [[Gallatin Range]], Big Belt Mountains, [[Bridger Mountains]], [[Absaroka Mountains]], and the [[Beartooth Mountains]]. The Beartooth Plateau is the largest continuous land mass over 10,000 feet (3,000 m) in the lower 48 states and contains the highest point in the state, [[Granite Peak (Montana)|Granite Peak]], 12,799 feet (3,901 m) high.
[[Image:Glacier np.jpg|thumb|left|300px|St. Mary Lake in Glacier National Park]]
Between the mountain ranges are many scenic valleys, rich in agricultural resources and rivers, and possessing multiple opportunities for tourism and recreation. Among the best-known areas are the [[Flathead Valley]], [[Bitterroot Valley]], Big Hole Valley, and [[Gallatin Valley]].
East and north of this transition zone are expansive sparsely populated [[Great Plains|Northern Plains]], with rolling tableland prairies, "island" mountain ranges, and scenic [[badlands]] extending into the Dakotas, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Wyoming. The isolated island ranges east of the Divide include the Castle Mountains, [[Crazy Mountains]], Little Belt Mountains, Snowy Mountains, [[Sweet Grass Hills]], Bull Mountains. The Pryor Mountains South of Billings and, in the southeastern corner of the state near Ekalaka, the Long Pines and Short Pines.
The area east of the divide in the north-central portion of the state is known for the dramatic [[Upper Missouri River Breaks National Monument|Missouri Breaks]] and other significant rock formations. Three stately [[butte]]s south of [[Great Falls, Montana|Great Falls]] are familiar landmarks. These buttes, Square Butte, Shaw Butte, and Crown Butte, are made of [[igneous rock]], which is dense and has withstood weathering for many years. The underlying surface consists of [[shale]]. Many areas around these buttes are covered with clay surface soils. These soils have been derived from the weathering of the [[Colorado Formation]]. Farther east, areas such as [[Makoshika State Park]] near Glendive, and [[Medicine Rocks]] State Park near Ekalaka also highlight some of the most scenic badlands regions in the state.
Montana also contains a number of rivers, many of which are known for "blue-ribbon" trout fishing, but which also provide most of the water needed by residents of the state, as well as being a source of [[hydropower]]. Montana is the only state in the union whose rivers form parts of three major North American watersheds: The [[Pacific Ocean]], the [[Gulf of Mexico]], and [[Hudson Bay]] which are divided atop [[Triple Divide Peak]] in Glacier National Park.
[[Image:Missouri River breaks.jpg|thumb|right|200px|[[Upper Missouri River Breaks National Monument|Missouri Breaks]] region in central Montana]]
West of the divide, the [[Clark Fork (river)|Clark Fork]] of the Columbia (not to be confused with the [[Clarks Fork Yellowstone River|Clarks Fork]] of the Yellowstone River) rises in the Rocky Mountains near Butte and flows northwest to [[Missoula, Montana|Missoula]]. There it is joined by the [[Blackfoot River]] and [[Bitterroot River]] and further downstream by the [[Flathead River]] before entering [[Idaho]] near [[Lake Pend Oreille]], becoming part of the [[Columbia River]], which flows to the [[Pacific Ocean]]. The Clark Fork discharges the greatest volume of water of any river exiting the state. The [[Flathead River]] and Kootenai River also drain major portions of the western half of the state.
East of the divide, the [[Missouri River]], formed by the confluence of the [[Jefferson River|Jefferson]], [[Madison River|Madison]], and [[Gallatin River|Gallatin]] rivers, crosses the central part of the state, flows through the [[Upper Missouri River Breaks National Monument|Missouri breaks]] and enters [[North Dakota]]. The [[Yellowstone River]] rises in Yellowstone Park in [[Wyoming]], flows north to Livingston, Montana, where it then turns east and flows across the state until it joins the Missouri River a few miles east of the North Dakota boundary. The Yellowstone River is the longest undammed, free-flowing river in North America. Other major Montana tributaries of the Missouri include the [[Milk River (Montana-Alberta)|Milk]], [[Marias River|Marias]], Tongue, and Musselshell Rivers. Montana also claims the disputed title of possessing the "world's shortest river," the [[Roe River]], just outside [[Great Falls, Montana]]. These rivers ultimately join the [[Mississippi River]] and flow into the [[Gulf of Mexico]].
Water is of critical importance to the state for both agriculture and hydropower. In addition to its rivers, the state is home to [[Flathead Lake]], the largest natural fresh-water lake in the United States west of the [[Great Lakes]]. Man-made [[reservoir]]s dot Montana's rivers, the largest of which is [[Fort Peck]] Reservoir, on the Missouri river, contained by the largest earth-filled dam in the world.
[[Image:Popi ownpillar.jpg|left|300px|thumb|[[Pompeys Pillar National Monument]]]]
Vegetation of the state includes [[ponderosa pine]], [[lodgepole pine]], [[larch]], [[fir]], [[spruce]], [[aspen]], [[birch]], [[red cedar]], [[ash tree|ash]], [[alder]], rocky mountain [[maple]] and [[cottonwood]] trees. Forests cover approximately 25% of the state. Flowers native to Montana include [[Aster (genus)|asters]], [[bitterroot]]s, [[daisy|daisies]], [[lupin]]s, [[poppy|poppies]], [[Primula|primroses]], [[Aquilegia|columbine]], [[lily|lilies]], [[orchid]]s and [[dryas (plant)|dryads]]. Several species of [[sagebrush]] and [[cacti|cactus]] and many species of [[grass]]es are common. Many species of [[mushroom]]s and [[lichen]]s are also found in the state.
Montana contains [[Glacier National Park (U.S.)|Glacier National Park]] and portions of [[Yellowstone National Park]], including three of the Park's five entrances. Other federally recognized sites include the [[Battle of the Little Bighorn|Little Bighorn National Monument]], [[Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area]], [[Big Hole National Battlefield]], [[Lewis and Clark Caverns]], and the [[National Bison Range]]. Montana has eight [[National Forest]]s and over 20 [[National Wildlife Refuge]]s. The Federal government administers 36,000,000 acres (146,000 km²). 275,000 acres (1,100 km²) are administered as [[state park]]s and forests.
[[Image:Quakelakemontana.jpg|thumb|right|[[Quake Lake]] was created by a landslide during the 1959 Yellowstone Earthquake]].
Areas managed by the [[National Park Service]] include:<ref>{{cite web | title = Montana | publisher = National Park Service | accessdate = 2008-07-16 | url = http://www.nps.gov/state/mt}}</ref>
*[[Big Hole National Battlefield]] near [[Wisdom, Montana|Wisdom]]
*[[Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area]] near [[Fort Smith, Montana|Fort Smith]]
*[[Glacier National Park (U.S.)|Glacier National Park]]
*[[Grant-Kohrs Ranch National Historic Site]] at [[Deer Lodge, Montana]]
*[[Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail]]
*[[Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument]] near [[Crow Agency, Montana|Crow Agency]]
*[[Nez Perce National Historical Park]]
*[[Yellowstone National Park]]
Several Indian reservations are located in Montana: [[Fort Peck Indian Reservation]], [[Fort Belknap Indian Reservation]], [[Northern Cheyenne Indian Reservation]], [[Crow Indian Reservation]], [[Rocky Boy Indian Reservation|Rocky Boy's Indian Reservation]], [[Blackfeet Indian Reservation]], and the [[Flathead Indian Reservation]].
{{seealso|List of Montana counties|List of Montana rivers|List of cities and towns in Montana}}
== Climate ==
[[Image:Helena, Montana 1961-1990 Climate data.gif|thumb|300px|Left|Temperature and precipitation for [[Helena, Montana|Montana's capital city, Helena]]]]
Montana is a large state with considerable variation in geography, and so the climate is equally varied. The western half is mountainous, interrupted by numerous large valleys. Eastern Montana is plains, badlands, broken by hills and isolated mountain ranges, and has a [[continental climate]] The [[Continental Divide]] runs north-south through the western mountainous half, and has a large effect on the climate. It restricts the flow of warmer air from the Pacific from moving east, and cooler, drier continental moving west. West of the divide the climate is described as modified northern [[Pacific coast climate]], with milder winters, cooler summers, less wind, and a longer growing season.<ref name = "MT Climate Narrative">[http://www.wrcc.dri.edu/narratives/MONTANA.htm Western Regional Climate Center "Climate of Montana"]</ref> In the winter Valley fog and low clouds often form in the valleys west of the divide, but this is rarely seen in the east.<ref name = "MSU - MT Climate">[http://www.animalrangeextension.montana.edu/articles/forage/MIPMH-chptr-1.htm#Temperature Animal Range and Sciences, Extension Service, Montana State University - "Climate of Montana"]</ref>
Average daytime temperatures vary from 28 degrees in January to 84.5 degrees in July.<ref name = "MT Facts">[http://www.visitmt.com/virtualvisitor/faq.htm Visit MT.com "Montana Facts"]</ref> The variation in geography leads to great variation in temperature. Hot weather occurs in the eastern plains on occasion; the highest observed being 117° at [[Glendive]] on July 20, 1893, and Medicine Lake on July 5, 1937. Throughout the state summer nights are generally cool and pleasant. Temperatures decrease with altitude, and hot weather is unknown above {{convert|4000|ft|m|abbr=on}} Snowfall is not unknown any month of the year in the central part of Montana, but is quite rare in July and August.<ref name = "MT Climate Narrative">[http://www.wrcc.dri.edu/narratives/MONTANA.htm Western Regional Climate Center "Climate of Montana"]</ref>
The coldest temperature on record for Montana is the coldest temperature for the entire continental U.S. On January 20, 1954 -70 °F was recorded at a gold mining camp near Rogers Pass. Temperatures vary greatly on such cold nights, and [[Helena, Montana|Helena]], {{convert|40|mi|km}} to the southeast had a low of only {{convert|-36|°F|°C|abbr=on}}.<ref name = "MT Climate Narrative">[http://www.wrcc.dri.edu/narratives/MONTANA.htm Western Regional Climate Center "Climate of Montana"]</ref> Winter cold spells last a week or so. They are the result of [[cold front|cold continental air]] coming south from [[Canada]]. The front is often well defined, causing a large temperature drop in a 24 hour period. Conversely, air flow from the southwest results in "[[Chinook wind|Chinooks]]". These steady 25-50mph (or more) winds can suddenly warm parts of Montana, especially areas just to east of the mountains, where temperatures sometimes rise into the 50's and 60's.<ref name = "MT Climate Narrative">[http://www.wrcc.dri.edu/narratives/MONTANA.htm Western Regional Climate Center "Climate of Montana"]</ref>
[[Image:Grinnell overlook.jpg|thumb|left|300px|The [[Grinnell Glacier]] gets {{convert|105|in|mm}} of precipitation per year.]]
Average annual precipitation is {{convert|15|in|mm}}, but great variations are seen. The mountain ranges block the moist Pacific air, holding moisture in the western valleys, and creating rain shadows to the east. Heron in the west receives the most precipitation, 34.70 inches. On the east side of a mountain range the valleys are much drier; Lonepine averages 11.45, and [[Deer Lodge, Montana|Deer Lodge]] 11.00 inches of precipitation. The mountains themselves can get over {{convert|100|in|mm}}, for example the [[Grinnell Glacier]] in [[Glacier National Park]] gets {{convert|105|in|mm}}.<ref name = "MSU - MT Climate">[http://www.animalrangeextension.montana.edu/articles/forage/MIPMH-chptr-1.htm#Temperature Animal Range and Sciences, Extension Service, Montana State University - "Climate of Montana"]</ref> Perhaps the driest is an area southwest of Belfry that averaged only {{convert|6.59|in|mm}} over a 16 year period. Most of the larger cities get 30 to {{convert|50|in|mm}} of snow each year. Mountain ranges themselves can accumulate {{convert|300|in|mm}} of snow during a winter. Heavy snowstorms can occur as early as September or as Late as May, but most snow falls from November to March.<ref name = "MT Climate Narrative">[http://www.wrcc.dri.edu/narratives/MONTANA.htm Western Regional Climate Center "Climate of Montana"]</ref>
The climate has become warmer in Montana and continues to do so.<ref name = "ClimateExpert"> [http://www.billingsgazette.net/articles/2007/08/27/news/state/24-fry.txt Billings Gazette, UM climate expert says triple-digit Julys will be norm - August 27, 2007]</ref> The glaciers in [[Glacier National Park]] have receded and are predicted to melt away completely in a few decades.<ref name="monitoring">{{cite web| title=Glacier Monitoring Research |work= Monitoring and Assessing Glacier Changes and Their Associated Hydrologic and Ecologic Effects in Glacier National Park| publisher =U.S. Geological Survey|url=http://www.nrmsc.usgs.gov/research/glaciers.htm| accessdate = 2007-06-27}}</ref> Many Montana cities set heat records during July 2007, the hottest month ever recorded in Montana.<ref name = "ClimateExpert"> [http://www.billingsgazette.net/articles/2007/08/27/news/state/24-fry.txt Billings Gazette, UM climate expert says triple-digit Julys will be norm - August 27, 2007]</ref><ref name + "NOAA">[http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/oa/climate/research/2007/jul/jul07.html NOAA - National Climatic Data Center "Climate of 2007 - July in Historical Perspective" August 15, 2007]</ref> Winters are warmer, too, and have fewer cold spells. Previously these cold spells had killed off [[bark beetle]]s which are now attacking the forests of Western Montana.<ref name = "BeetleAttack">[http://www.missoulian.com/articles/2005/07/31/news/mtregional/news02.tx The Missoulian "Beetles shaping Montana's forest lands"]</ref><ref name = "BarkBeetle">[http://www.missoulian.com/articles/2007/02/14/news/mtregional/news07.txt Missoulan "Forest Service finds varied beetle activity"]</ref> The combination of warmer weather, attack by beetles, and mismanagement during past years has led to a substantial increase in the severity of [[forest fires]] in Montana.<ref name = "ClimateExpert"> [http://www.billingsgazette.net/articles/2007/08/27/news/state/24-fry.txt Billings Gazette, UM climate expert says triple-digit Julys will be norm - August 27, 2007]</ref><ref name = "BarkBeetle">[http://www.missoulian.com/articles/2007/02/14/news/mtregional/news07.txt Missoulan "Forest Service finds varied beetle activity"]</ref>
== History ==
{{main|History of Montana}}
[[Image:Assinniboine2.jpg|thumb|right|200px|[[Assiniboine]] family, Montana, 1890-91]]
Native Americans were the first inhabitants of the state of Montana. Groups included the [[Crow tribe|Crow]] in the south-central area, the [[Cheyenne]] in the southeast, the [[Blackfeet]], [[Assiniboine]] and [[Gros Ventres]] in the central and north-central area and the [[Kootenai]] and [[Salish]] in the west. The smaller [[Pend d'Oreille]] and [[Kalispel]] tribes lived near [[Flathead Lake]] and the western mountains, respectively.
Montana east of the [[continental divide]] was part of the [[Louisiana Purchase]] in 1803. Subsequent to the [[Lewis and Clark Expedition]] and after the finding of gold and copper (see the [[Copper Kings]]) in the state in the late 1850s, Montana became a [[Political divisions of the United States|United States territory]] ([[Montana Territory]]) on [[May 26]], [[1864]], and the 41st state on [[November 8]], [[1889]].
[[Fort Shaw, Montana|Fort Shaw]] ([[Montana Territory]]) was established in Spring 1867. It is located west of [[Great Falls, Montana|Great Falls]] in the Sun River Valley and was one of three posts authorized to be built by Congress in 1865. The other two posts in the [[Montana Territory]] were Camp Cooke on the [[Judith River]] and Fort C.F. Smith on the [[Bozeman Trail]] in south central Montana Territory. Fort Shaw, named after Colonel [[Robert Gould Shaw]], who commanded the [[54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry|54th Massachusetts]], one of the first all [[African-American]] regiments, during the [[American Civil War]], was built of adobe and lumber by the 13th Infantry. The fort had a parade ground that was 400 ft² (120 m²), and consisted of barracks for officers, a [[hospital]], and a trading post, and could house up to 450 soldiers. Completed in 1868, it was used by military personnel until 1891.
After the close of the military post, the government established Fort Shaw as a school to provide industrial training to young Native Americans. The Fort Shaw Indian Industrial School was opened on [[April 30]], [[1892]]. The school had at one time 17 faculty members, 11 Indian assistants and 300 students. The school made use of over 20 of the buildings built by the Army.
The revised [[Homestead Act]] of the early 1900s greatly affected the settlement of Montana. This act expanded the land that was provided by the [[Homestead Act of 1862]] from {{convert|160|acre|km2|1}} to {{convert|320|acre|km2|1}}. When the latter act was signed by President [[William Howard 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, west of [[Great Falls, Montana|Great Falls]] was opened up for homesteading. Under this [[Reclamation Act]], a person could obtain 40 acres (16 ha). Most of the people who came to file on these [[homesteading|homesteads]] were young couples who were eager to live near 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, and the [[last stand]] of [[U.S. Army]] Lieutenant Colonel [[George Armstrong Custer]] was fought near the present day town of Hardin. Montana was also the location of the final battles of the [[Nez Perce War]]s.
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 1,900 acre (7.7 km²) working ranch.
== Demographics ==
[[Image:Montana population map.png|thumb|right|200px|Montana Population Density Map]]
{{USCensusPop
|1870 = 20595
|1880 = 39159
|1890 = 142924
|1900 = 243329
|1910 = 376053
|1920 = 548889
|1930 = 537606
|1940 = 559456
|1950 = 591024
|1960 = 674767
|1970 = 694409
|1980 = 786690
|1990 = 799065
|2000 = 902195
|estyear = 2006
|estimate = 944632
}}
As of 2006, Montana has an estimated population of 997,670, which is an increase of 8,750, or 0.9%, from the prior year and an increase of 33,475, or 3.7%, since the year 2000. This includes a natural increase since the last census of 13,674 people (that is 58,001 births minus 44,327 deaths) and an increase due to net migration of 21,074 people into the state. [[Immigration to the United States|Immigration]] from outside the United States resulted in a net increase of 2,141 people, and [[Human migration|migration]] within the country produced a net increase of 18,933 people. 16,500 of state residents are foreign-born, accounting for 1.8% of the total population.
According to the [[2000 U.S. Census]], 1.52% of the population aged 5 and over speak [[Spanish language|Spanish]] at home, while 1.11% speak [[German language|German]].<ref>[http://www.mla.org/map_data_results&state_id=30&mode=state_tops Language Map Data Center<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
The [[center of population]] of Montana is located in [[Meagher County, Montana|Meagher County]], in the city of [[White Sulphur Springs, Montana|White Sulphur Springs]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.census.gov/geo/www/cenpop/statecenters.txt|title=Population and Population Centers by State: 2000|date=2000|publisher=U. S. Census Bureau|accessdate=2008-05-07}}</ref>
While [[German American|German]] ancestry is the largest reported [[European-American]] ancestry in most of Montana, residents of [[Scandinavian American|Scandinavian]] ancestry are prevalent in some of the farming-dominated northern and eastern prairie regions. There are also several predominantly [[Native Americans in the United States|Native American]] counties, mostly around each of the seven Indian reservations. The historically mining-oriented communities of western Montana such as [[Butte, Montana|Butte]] have a wider range of ethnic groups, particularly people of [[Eastern European]] and [[Ireland|Irish]] ancestry, as well as people who originally emigrated from [[British-American|British]] mining regions such as [[Cornwall]]. Montana is second only to [[South Dakota]] in U.S. [[Hutterite]] population with several colonies spread across the state. Many of Montana's historic logging communities originally attracted people of [[Scandinavia]]n and [[Scots-Irish American|Scots-Irish]] descent. Montana's [[Hispanics in the United States|Hispanic]] population is particularly concentrated around the [[Billings, Montana|Billings]] area in south-central Montana, and the highest density of [[African-Americans]] is located in [[Great Falls, Montana|Great Falls]].
{{US Demographics}}
=== Religion ===
The religious affiliations of the people of Montana
*[[Christianity|Christian]] – 82%
**[[Protestantism|Protestant]] – 55%
***[[Lutheranism|Lutheran]] – 15%
***[[Methodism|Methodist]] – 8%
***[[Baptist]] – 5%
***[[Presbyterianism|Presbyterian]] – 4%
***[[United Church of Christ]] – 2%
***Other Protestant or general Protestant – 21%
**[[Roman Catholicism in the United States|Roman Catholic]] – 24%
**[[The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints]] (Mormon) – 3%
*Other Religions – <1%
*Non-Religious – 18%
== Economy ==
[[Image:Craft Breweries Per Capita (US).png|thumb|left|150px|Montana ranks 3rd nationally in [[microbrewery|craft breweries]] per capita.<ref>[http://www.beertown.org/craftbrewing/statistics.html Craft Brewing Industry Statistics<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>]]
[http://www.bea.gov/ The Bureau of Economic Analysis] estimates that Montana's total state product in 2003 was $26 billion. Per capita personal income in 2003 was $25,406, 47th in the nation. However, this number is rapidly increasing. According to the ''Missoulian'', the economy has grown rapidly since 2003; in 2005, Montana ranked 39th in the nation with an average per capita personal income of $29,387.{{Fact|date=October 2007}}
The economy is primarily based on agriculture--[[wheat]], [[barley]], [[sugar beet]]s, [[oats]], [[rye]], seed [[potato]]es, [[honey]], [[cherries]], cattle and sheep [[ranching]] -- and significant [[lumber]] and [[mineral]] extraction ([[gold]], [[coal]], [[silver]], [[talc]], and [[vermiculite]]).{{Fact|date=October 2007}} [[Tourism]] is also important to the economy with millions of visitors a year to [[Glacier National Park (U.S.)|Glacier National Park]], [[Flathead Lake]], the [[Missouri River]] headwaters, the site of the [[Battle of Little Bighorn]] and three of the five entrances to [[Yellowstone National Park]].
Montana's personal [[income tax]] contains 7 brackets, with rates ranging from 1% to 6.9%. Montana has no [[sales tax]]. In Montana, household goods are exempt from [[property tax]]es. However, property taxes are assessed on [[livestock]], farm machinery, heavy equipment, automobiles, trucks, and business equipment. The amount of property tax owed is not determined solely by the property's value. The property's value is multiplied by a tax rate, set by the Montana Legislature, to determine its taxable value. The taxable value is then multiplied by the [[mill levy]] established by various taxing jurisdictions -- city and county government, school districts and others.
{{clear}}
== Transportation ==
{{seealso|List of Montana railroads|List of Montana numbered highways}}
Railroads have been an important method of transportation in Montana since the 1880s. Historically, the state was traversed by the main lines of three east-west transcontinental routes: the [[Milwaukee Road]], the [[Great Northern Railway (U.S.)|Great Northern]], and the [[Northern Pacific Railway|Northern Pacific]]. Today, the [[BNSF Railway]] is the state's largest railroad, its main transcontinental route incorporating the former Great Northern main line across the state. [[Montana RailLink]], a privately-held [[Class II railroad]], operates former Northern Pacific trackage in western Montana.
In addition, [[Amtrak]]'s ''[[Empire Builder]]'' train runs through the north of the state, stopping in the following towns: [[Libby, Montana|Libby]], [[Whitefish, Montana|Whitefish]], [[West Glacier, Montana|West Glacier]], [[Essex, Montana|Essex]], [[East Glacier Park Village, Montana|East Glacier Park]], [[Browning, Montana|Browning]], [[Cut Bank, Montana|Cut Bank]], [[Shelby, Montana|Shelby]], [[Havre, Montana|Havre]], [[Malta, Montana|Malta]], [[Glasgow, Montana|Glasgow]], and [[Wolf Point, Montana|Wolf Point]].
Montana's three largest commercial airports serve [[Gallatin Field Airport|Bozeman]], [[Billings Logan International Airport|Billings]], and [[Missoula International Airport|Missoula]]; smaller airports in [[Glacier Park International Airport|Kalispell]], [[Helena Regional Airport|Helena]], and [[Bert Mooney Airport|Butte]] also serve multiple commercial carriers. Eight smaller communities have airports designated for commercial service under the [[Essential Air Service]] program.
<!-- Image with unknown copyright status removed: [[Image:Mtplate.jpg|thumb|right|The current Montana sample [[license plate]]. A variety of other license plate images is available as fund-raisers for non-profit organizations.]] -->
Historically, the primary east-west highway route across Montana was [[U.S. Route 10]], which connected the major cities in the southern half of the state. Still the state's most important east-west travel corridor, the route is today served by [[Interstate 90]] and [[Interstate 94]]. [[U.S. Route 2|U.S. Routes 2]] and [[U.S. Route 12|12]] and [[Montana Highway 200]] also traverse the entire state from east to west.
Montana's only north-south [[Interstate Highway]] is [[Interstate 15 in Montana|Interstate 15]]. Other major north-south highways include [[U.S. Route 87|U.S. Routes 87]], [[U.S. Route 89|89]], [[U.S. Route 93|93]] and [[U.S. Route 191|191]].
== Law and government ==
{{seealso|List of Montana Governors}}
The current Governor is [[Brian Schweitzer]] (Democrat) who was sworn in on [[January 3]], [[2005]]. Its two U.S. senators are [[Max Baucus]] (Democrat) and [[Jon Tester]] (Democrat). Montana's congressional representative is [[Denny Rehberg]] (Republican).
The state was the first to elect a female member of [[Congress of the United States|Congress]] ([[Jeannette Rankin]]) and was one of the first states to give women voting rights (see [[suffrage]]). Despite its sizable [[Native Americans in the United States|American Indian]] population, Montana is one of the most [[wiktionary:Homogenous|homogenous]] states — nearly 90% of its residents are of [[Europe]]an descent, with a large number of immigrants of [[German People|German]], [[Irish people|Irish]], [[Welsh people|Welsh]], English, [[Italian people|Italian]], [[Slovaks|Slovak]] and [[Scandinavia]]n heritage arriving in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. A significant portion of Chinese ([[Cantonese people|Cantonese]]) immigrants also came and left an indelible mark on the state, especially in the mining cities of [[Helena, Montana|Helena]], [[Butte]], and [[Anaconda, Montana|Anaconda]].
=== Politics ===
[[Image:Helena capitol.jpg|thumb|left|300px|Montana State Capitol in Helena.]]
Historically, Montana is a [[Swing state]] of cross-ticket voters with a tradition of sending "conservatives to Helena (the state capital) and liberals to Washington." However, there have also been long-term shifts of party control. During the 1970s, the state was dominated by the [[United States Democratic Party|Democratic Party]], with Democratic governors for a 20-year period, and a Democratic majority of both the national congressional delegation and during many sessions of the state legislature. This pattern shifted, beginning with the 1988 election, when Montana elected a [[United States Republican Party|Republican]] governor and sent a Republican to the U.S. Senate for the first time since the 1940s. This shift continued with the [[reapportionment]] of the state's legislative districts that took effect in 1994, when the Republican Party took control of both houses of the state legislature, consolidating a party dominance that lasted until 2004. The state last supported a Democrat for president in 1992, [[Bill Clinton]]'s first election.
In recent years, Montana has been classified as a Republican-leaning state, and the state supported President [[George W. Bush]] by a wide margin in 2000 and 2004. However, since the 2000 [[reapportionment]] plan went into effect in 2004 the state currently has a Democratic governor ([[Brian Schweitzer]]), elected in 2004. In the [[Montana United States Senate election, 2006|2006 midterm elections]], Democratic candidate [[Jon Tester]] narrowly defeated (by only 3000 votes) incumbent Republican Senator [[Conrad Burns]] [http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,228418,00.html],one of several crucial races that allowed the Democratic Party to win the majority in the U.S. Senate. Montana's lone US Representative, Republican [[Denny Rehberg]], easily won reelection. The [[Montana State Senate|state Senate]] is (as of 2007) controlled by the Democrats and the [[Montana House of Representatives|State House of Representatives]] is controlled by the Republicans.
On April 17th, 2007, Montana became the first state to pass legislation against the federal government's [[Real ID Act]]. Gov. Schweitzer signed a bill banning the Montana Motor Vehicle Division from enforcing the new regulations. [http://www.stateline.org/live/details/story?contentId=199732]
Montana is an [[Alcoholic beverage control state]].
== Important cities and towns ==
[[Image:Billings Pano.JPG|right|250px|thumb|Montana's largest city, Billings]]
[[Image:Downtown Billings MT from Rims.JPG|thumb|250px|top right|Billings skyline & Sacrifice Cliff, 2005]]
Some of the cities in Montana are:
<table><tr><td valign=top>
*[[Billings, Montana|Billings]]
*[[Bozeman, Montana|Bozeman]]
*[[Butte, Montana|Butte]]
*[[Great Falls, Montana|Great Falls]]
</td><td valign=top>
*[[Havre, Montana|Havre]]
*[[Helena, Montana|Helena]]
*[[Kalispell, Montana|Kalispell]]
*[[Missoula, Montana|Missoula]]
*[[Miles City, Montana|Miles City]]
</td></tr></table>
Some of the major towns in Montana are:
{{Col-begin}}
{{Col-1-of-4}}
*[[Anaconda, Montana|Anaconda]]
*[[Belgrade, Montana|Belgrade]]
*[[Columbia Falls, Montana|Columbia Falls]]
*[[Cut Bank, Montana|Cut Bank]]
*[[Deer Lodge, Montana|Deer Lodge]]
{{Col-2-of-4}}
*[[Dillon, Montana|Dillon]]
*[[Fort Benton, Montana|Fort Benton]]
*[[Glasgow, Montana|Glasgow]]
*[[Glendive, Montana|Glendive]]
*[[Hamilton, Montana|Hamilton]]
{{Col-3-of-4}}
*[[Hardin, Montana|Hardin]]
*[[Laurel, Montana|Laurel]]
*[[Lewistown, Montana|Lewistown]]
*[[Livingston, Montana|Livingston]]
{{Col-4-of-4}}
*[[Polson, Montana|Polson]]
*[[Shelby, Montana|Shelby]]
*[[Sidney, Montana|Sidney]]
*[[Three Forks, Montana|Three Forks]]
{{Col-end}}
== Counties ==
{{main|List of counties in Montana}}
The State of Montana has 56 [[county (United States)|counties]].
{| class=wikitable
|+ '''Montana Counties Ranked By 2005 Population'''<ref name=PopEstCountiesMT>{{cite web | url = http://ceic.mt.gov/Demog/estimate/pop/County/CO-EST2005-01-30.htm | title = Table 1: Annual Estimates of the Population for Counties of Montana: April 1, 2000 to July 1, 2005|format = [[comma-separated values|CSV]] | work = 2005 Population Estimates | publisher = U.S. Census Bureau, Population Division | date = [[2006-03-16]] | accessdate = 2007-01-09 }}</ref>
|-
! Rank
! County
! Population
! width=2 rowspan=29 |
! Rank
! County
! Population
|-
| align=center | 1
| [[Yellowstone County, Montana|Yellowstone County]]
| align=right | 136,691
| align=center | 29
| [[Powell County, Montana|Powell County]]
| align=right | 6,999
|-
| align=center | 2
| [[Missoula County, Montana|Missoula County]]
| align=right | 100,086
| align=center | 30
| [[Blaine County, Montana|Blaine County]]
| align=right | 6,629
|-
| align=center | 3
| [[Flathead County, Montana|Flathead County]]
| align=right | 83,172
| align=center | 31
| [[Teton County, Montana|Teton County]]
| align=right | 6,240
|-
| align=center | 4
| [[Cascade County, Montana|Cascade County]]
| align=right | 79,569
| align=center | 32
| [[Pondera County, Montana|Pondera County]]
| align=right | 6,087
|-
| align=center | 5
| [[Gallatin County, Montana|Gallatin County]]
| align=right | 78,210
| align=center | 33
| [[Chouteau County, Montana|Chouteau County]]
| align=right | 5,463
|-
| align=center | 6
| [[Lewis and Clark County, Montana|Lewis and Clark County]]
| align=right | 58,449
| align=center | 34
| [[Toole County, Montana|Toole County]]
| align=right | 5,031
|-
| align=center | 7
| [[Ravalli County, Montana|Ravalli County]]
| align=right | 39,940
| align=center | 35
| [[Broadwater County, Montana|Broadwater County]]
| align=right | 4,517
|-
| align=center | 8
| [[Silver Bow County, Montana|Silver Bow County]]
| align=right | 32,982
| align=center | 36
| [[Musselshell County, Montana|Musselshell County]]
| align=right | 4,497
|-
| align=center | 9
| [[Lake County, Montana|Lake County]]
| align=right | 28,297
| align=center | 37
| [[Phillips County, Montana|Phillips County]]
| align=right | 4,179
|-
| align=center | 10
| [[Lincoln County, Montana|Lincoln County]]
| align=right | 19,193
| align=center | 38
| [[Mineral County, Montana|Mineral County]]
| align=right | 4,014
|-
| align=center | 11
| [[Hill County, Montana|Hill County]]
| align=right | 16,304
| align=center | 39
| [[Sweet Grass County, Montana|Sweet Grass County]]
| align=right | 3,672
|-
| align=center | 12
| [[Park County, Montana|Park County]]
| align=right | 15,968
| align=center | 40
| [[Sheridan County, Montana|Sheridan County]]
| align=right | 3,524
|-
| align=center | 13
| [[Glacier County, Montana|Glacier County]]
| align=right | 13,552
| align=center | 41
| [[Granite County, Montana|Granite County]]
| align=right | 2,965
|-
| align=center | 14
| [[Big Horn County, Montana|Big Horn County]]
| align=right | 13,149
| align=center | 42
| [[Fallon County, Montana|Fallon County]]
| align=right | 2,717
|-
| align=center | 15
| [[Fergus County, Montana|Fergus County]]
| align=right | 11,551
| align=center | 43
| [[Judith Basin County, Montana|Judith Basin County]]
| align=right | 2,198
|-
| align=center | 16
| [[Custer County, Montana|Custer County]]
| align=right | 11,267
| align=center | 44
| [[Wheatland County, Montana|Wheatland County]]
| align=right | 2,037
|-
| align=center | 17
| [[Jefferson County, Montana|Jefferson County]]
| align=right | 11,170
| align=center | 45
| [[Liberty County, Montana|Liberty County]]
| align=right | 2,003
|-
| align=center | 18
| [[Sanders County, Montana|Sanders County]]
| align=right | 11,057
| align=center | 46
| [[Meagher County, Montana|Meagher County]]
| align=right | 1,999
|-
| align=center | 19
| [[Roosevelt County, Montana|Roosevelt County]]
| align=right | 10,524
| align=center | 47
| [[Daniels County, Montana|Daniels County]]
| align=right | 1,836
|-
| align=center | 20
| [[Carbon County, Montana|Carbon County]]
| align=right | 9,902
| align=center | 48
| [[McCone County, Montana|McCone County]]
| align=right | 1,805
|-
| align=center | 21
| [[Rosebud County, Montana|Rosebud County]]
| align=right | 9,212
| align=center | 49
| [[Powder River County, Montana|Powder River County]]
| align=right | 1,705
|-
| align=center | 22
| [[Richland County, Montana|Richland County]]
| align=right | 9,096
| align=center | 50
| [[Carter County, Montana|Carter County]]
| align=right | 1,320
|-
| align=center | 23
| [[Deer Lodge County, Montana|Deer Lodge County]]
| align=right | 8,948
| align=center | 51
| [[Garfield County, Montana|Garfield County]]
| align=right | 1,199
|-
| align=center | 24
| [[Beaverhead County, Montana|Beaverhead County]]
| align=right | 8,773
| align=center | 52
| [[Golden Valley County, Montana|Golden Valley County]]
| align=right | 1,159
|-
| align=center | 25
| [[Dawson County, Montana|Dawson County]]
| align=right | 8,688
| align=center | 53
| [[Prairie County, Montana|Prairie County]]
| align=right | 1,105
|-
| align=center | 26
| [[Stillwater County, Montana|Stillwater County]]
| align=right | 8,493
| align=center | 54
| [[Wibaux County, Montana|Wibaux County]]
| align=right | 951
|-
| align=center | 27
| [[Madison County, Montana|Madison County]]
| align=right | 7,274
| align=center | 55
| [[Treasure County, Montana|Treasure County]]
| align=right | 689
|-
| align=center | 28
| [[Valley County, Montana|Valley County]]
| align=right | 7,143
| align=center | 56
| [[Petroleum County, Montana|Petroleum County]]
| align=right | 470
|}
== Education ==
=== Colleges and universities ===
<table><tr><td valign=top>
The state-funded [[Montana University System]] consists of:
*[[Montana State University - Bozeman]]
**[[Montana State University - Billings]]
**[[Montana State University - Northern]] - Havre
*[[University of Montana|University of Montana - Missoula]]
**[[Montana Tech|Montana Tech of the University of Montana - Butte]]
**[http://www.umwestern.edu/ University of Montana Western - Dillon]
**[http://www.umhelena.edu/ University of Montana - Helena College of Technology]
*[http://www.fvcc.edu/ Flathead Valley Community College]
*[[Dawson Community College]]
*[[Miles Community College]]
Major Tribal Colleges in Montana include:
*[[Little Big Horn College]]
*[[Fort Peck Community College]] or [[Ft. Peck Community College]]
*[[Salish Kootenai College]]
*[[Stone Child College]]
Major Private Colleges and Universities include:
*[[Carroll College (Montana)|Carroll College]]
*[[University of Great Falls]]
*[[Rocky Mountain College]]
</td></tr></table>
== Sports ==
===Professional sports===
There are no [[Major North American professional sports leagues|major league]] sports franchises in Montana, due to the state's relatively small and dispersed population, but a number of [[minor league]] teams play in the state. [[Baseball]] is the minor-league sport with the longest heritage in the state, and Montana is currently home to four [[minor league baseball|Minor League baseball teams]], all members of the [[Pioneer Baseball League]]:
*[[Missoula Osprey]]
*[[Great Falls White Sox]]
*[[Helena Brewers]]
*[[Billings Mustangs]]
The [[Billings Outlaws]] are a professional [[indoor football]] team affiliated with the [[United Indoor Football]] league.
There are five junior [[hockey]] teams in Montana, all affiliated with the [[Northern Pacific Hockey League]]:
*[[Billings Bulls]]
*[[Bozeman Icedogs]]
*[[Butte Roughriders]]
*[[Helena Bighorns]]
*[[Missoula Maulers]]
===Collegiate and amateur sports===
All of Montana's four-year colleges and universities field a variety of intercollegiate sports teams. The two largest schools, the [[University of Montana-Missoula|University of Montana]] and [[Montana State University - Bozeman|Montana State University]], are members of the [[Big Sky Conference]] and have enjoyed a strong athletic rivalry since the early twentieth century. Most of the smaller four-year schools in the state belong to the [[Pioneer Conference]].
[[American football|Football]] and [[basketball]] are the two most popular sports at the high school level. Montana is one of the few states where the smallest high schools participate in [[six-man football]] leagues.
Numerous other sports are played at the club and amateur level, including [[softball]], [[rugby]], and [[soccer]].
== Miscellaneous topics ==
* The planned [[battleship]] [[USS Montana|USS ''Montana'']] was named in honor of the state. However, the battleship was never completed, making Montana the only one of the 48 states during World War II not to have a battleship named after it. Additionally, [[Alaska]] and [[Hawaii]] have both had nuclear submarines named after them. As such Montana is the only state in the union without a modern naval ship named in its honor. However, in August 2007 Senator [[Jon Tester]] made a request to the Navy that a [[submarine]] be christened USS ''Montana''.<ref>[http://tester.senate.gov/News/record.cfm?id=281083 Press Release Detail<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
* The [[Hell Creek Formation]] is a major source of [[dinosaur]] [[fossil]]s. Paleontologist [[Jack Horner (paleontologist)|Jack Horner]], of the [[Museum of the Rockies]] in [[Bozeman, Montana]], brought this formation to the world's attention with several major finds. For example, [[Jane (dinosaur)|Jane]] was discovered in 2001 in Hell Creek and is the world's most complete juvenile ''tyrannosaurus rex''.
* In 1902, a group of female students from the Fort Shaw Indian Industrial School began playing [[basketball]] and traveled throughout Montana, defeating high school teams and some college teams. In 1904, the girls' basketball team traveled by train to the [[St. Louis World's Fair]]. Over a period of five months, the team was challenged by numerous other basketball teams and won every contest, returning to Fort Shaw with the "world champion" trophy. On [[May 1]], [[2004]], a monument in honor of the basketball team was unveiled at the entrance of the present-day Fort Shaw Elementary School.
* In the movie '[[Star Trek: First Contact]]', Montana is the location of the fictitious first contact between humans and an alien race, the Vulcans. Star Trek producer [[Brannon Braga]] is originally from [[Bozeman, Montana]]. However, no Montana locations were used in the shooting of the film.
* Montana has the largest [[grizzly bear]] population in the lower 48 states.
* Montana's triple divide allows water to flow into three oceans: the [[Pacific Ocean]], the [[Atlantic Ocean]] ([[Gulf of Mexico]]), and the [[Arctic Ocean]] ([[Hudson Bay]]). This phenomenon occurs at [[Triple Divide Peak]] in Glacier National Park.
* In 1888, [[Helena, Montana|Helena]] (the current state capital) had more millionaires per capita than any other city in the world.
=== State symbols ===
[[Image:Montana quarter, reverse side, 2007.png|thumb|right|160px|Montana's state quarter, released in 2007.]]
* [[State flower]]: [[Bitterroot]] ''(Lewisia rediviva)'', since 1895
* [[State tree]]: [[Ponderosa Pine]], since 1949
* [[State animal]]: [[Grizzly Bear]] ''(Ursus arctos horribilis)'', since 1862
* [[List of U.S. state birds|State bird]]: [[Western Meadowlark]] ''(Sturnella neglecta)'', since 1931
* [[State fish]]: Blackspotted Cutthroat [[Trout]], since 1977
* State Song: ''"Montana"'', since 1945
* State Ballad: ''"Montana Melody"'', since 1983
*State Gemstones: Yogo [[Sapphire]] & [[Agate]]
*[[State Fossil]]: Maiasaur ("Duck-billed Dinosaur") ''([[Maiasaura]] peeblesorum)'', since 1985
*State Butterfly: [[Mourning cloak]] ''(Nymphalis antiopa)'', since 2001
*State Grass: [[Bluebunch wheatgrass]], since 1973
*State Motto: "Oro y Plata" (Spanish: Gold and Silver)
=== Ski areas ===
[[Image:Big Sky resort.jpg|thumb|300px|The Big Sky Resort]]
Montana has several ski areas including:
*Bear Paw Ski Bowl near [[Havre, Montana]]
*[[Big Mountain]] near [[Whitefish, Montana|Whitefish]]
*[[Big Sky Resort]] near [[Big Sky, Montana]]
*Blacktail near [[Lakeside, Montana|Lakeside]]
*[[Bridger Bowl Ski Area]] near [[Bozeman, Montana|Bozeman]]
*Discovery Basin near [[Philipsburg, Montana|Philipsburg]]
*[[Great Divide Ski Area|Great Divide]] near [[Helena, Montana]]
*Lost Trail near [[Darby, Montana]]
*Lookout Pass near St. Regis, Montana
*Maverick Mountain near Dillon, Montana
*Snowbowl Ski Area near [[Missoula, Montana|Missoula]]
*[[Moonlight Basin]] near [[Big Sky, Montana]]
*Red Lodge Mountain near [[Red Lodge, Montana|Red Lodge]]
*[[Showdown Ski Area]] near [[White Sulphur Springs, Montana]]
*[[Turner Mountain Ski Resort]] near [[Libby, Montana|Libby]]
*[[Teton Pass Ski Area]] near [[Choteau, Montana|Choteau]]
==See also==
*[[List of Montana-related topics]]
{{portal|Montana|Flag of Montana.svg|left=yes}}
{{clear}}
<!-- Please place links to all topics directly related to the State of Montana in the [[List of Montana-related topics]] -->
== References ==
{{reflist|2}}
== Further reading ==
*[[Jon Bennion|Bennion, Jon]]. ''Big Sky Politics''. Five Valleys Publishing, April 2004. <small>ISBN 1-888550-13-9</small>
*[[James Lopach|Lopach, James]]. ''We the People of Montana: The Workings of a Popular Government''. Falcon Press, 1983 <small>ISBN 0-87842-159-9</small>
*[[William Kittredge|Kittredge, William]]. ''The Last Best Place: A Montana Anthology''. (From the back cover: "...over 230 stories, poems, reminiscences, and reports written by 140 men and women. The book is divided into eight sections with introductory essays by [[William Bevis]], [[Mary Clearman Blew]], [[William Kittredge]], [[William L. Lang|William Lang]], [[Richard Roeder]], [[Annick Smith]], and [[James Welch (writer)|James Welch]].") University of Washington: 1990. 1158 pages. <small> ISBN 0-295-96974-1. </small>
*[[Joseph Kinsey Howard|Howard, Joseph Kinsey]]. ''Montana: High, Wide, and Handsome''. Bison Books: 2003. <small>ISBN 0-8032-7339-8.</small>
*[[Joseph Kinsey Howard|Howard, Joseph Kinsey]]. ''Montana Margins: A State Anthology''. Yale University Press,: 1946. <small>ISBN 0-8369-2652-8.</small>
*[[Michael P. Malone|Malone, Michael P.]], Richard B. Roeder and William L. Lang. ''Montana: A History of Two Centuries''. University of Washington: 1991. <small>ISBN 0-295-97129-0.</small>
*[[K. Ross Toole|Toole, K. Ross]]. ''Montana: An Uncommon Land''. University of Oklahoma: 1984. <small>ISBN 0-8061-1890-3.</small>
*[[Ivan Doig|Doig, Ivan]], ''Dancing at the Rascal Fair''. Scribner: 1987. <small>ISBN 0-689-11764-7.</small>
*[[Ivan Doig|Doig, Ivan]], ''English Creek''. Peter Smith Publisher Inc: 1992. <small>ISBN 0-8446-6608-4.</small>
*[[Norman MacLean|MacLean, Norman]], ''A River Runs Through It''. University of Chicago Press: 1976. <small>ISBN 0-226-50060-8.</small>
*[[Norman MacLean|MacLean, Norman]], ''Young Men and Fire''. University of Chicago Press: 1992. <small>ISBN 0-226-50061-6.</small>
*[[Mildred Walker|Walker, Mildred]]. ''Winter Wheat''. Harcourt: 1967. <small>ISBN 0-15-197223-0.</small>
*[[Dave Walter|Walter, Dave]], ''et al.'' ''Speaking Ill of the Dead: Jerks in Montana History.'' Falcon Press, 2000. <small>ISBN 1-58592-032-0</small>
*[[Jon Axline|Axline, Jon]], ''et al.'' ''Still Speaking Ill of the Dead: More Jerks in Montana History''. Falcon Press, 2005. <small>ISBN 1-58592-032-0</small>
== External links ==
{{sisterlinks}}
*[http://www.mt.gov/ State of Montana Website]
*[http://www.visitmt.com/ Official State Travel Information Site]
*[http://www.montanacapitol.com Montana State Capitol Information]
*[http://www.montanahistory.net/ Montana History]
*[http://www.his.state.mt.us/ Montana Historical Society]
*[http://tonto.eia.doe.gov/state/state_energy_profiles.cfm?sid=MT Energy Data & Statistics for Montana- From the U.S. Department of Energy]
*[http://www.usgs.gov/state/state.asp?State=MT USGS real-time, geographic, and other scientific resources of Montana]
*[http://www.ers.usda.gov/StateFacts/MT.htm State Facts from the U.S. Department of Agriculture]
*[http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/30000.html Census of Montana]
*[http://wikis.ala.org/godort/index.php/Montana List of searchable databases produced by Montana state agencies] hosted by the [http://wikis.ala.org/godort/index.php/Main_Page American Library Association Government Documents Roundtable].
{{-}}
{{Montana|expand}}
{{United States}}
{{succession
| preceded = [[South Dakota]]
| office = [[List of U.S. states by date of statehood]]
| years = Admitted on [[1889-11-08]] (41st)
| succeeded = [[Washington]]
}}
{{coor title d|47|N|110|W|region:US-MT_type:state}}
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[[sq:Montana]]
[[simple:Montana]]
[[sk:Montana]]
[[sl:Montana]]
[[sr:Монтана]]
[[fi:Montana]]
[[sv:Montana]]
[[ta:மொன்டானா]]
[[th:มลรัฐมอนแทนา]]
[[vi:Montana]]
[[tr:Montana]]
[[uk:Монтана (штат)]]
[[ur:مونٹانا]]
[[vo:Montana]]
[[yi:מאנטענע]]
[[diq:Montana]]
[[bat-smg:Montana]]
[[zh:蒙大拿州]]