A band of Nez Percé under Chief Joseph won a battle in the Big Hole Basin the following year and fled toward Canada, only to be met and defeated by U.S. troops a few miles south of the international boundary. The State of Montana is bordered by Idaho (west), North Dakota (east), South Dakota (southeast), Wyoming (south), British Columbia, Canada and Alberta, Canada. Though you are exploring fun Montana facts here in this article. 15. Much of Montana's early history was concerned with mining, with copper, lead, zinc, silver, coal, and oil as principal products. 33. Brief History of Montana. Native Americans were the first inhabitants of the area to become known as the state of Montana. The Hunkpapa Lakota Sioux warrior … Montana is home to approximately 8,000 moose. Montana is the first state in the United States to elect a woman to Congress. Montana, constituent state of the United States of America. You can see more eagles on a single day here than anywhere else in the United States. You can see many of these animals at the National Bison Range close to Missoula. physical proof of the presence of these explorers. One of the largest steer in world history rests in the O’Fallon Museum in Montana. Montana offers almost 28 million acres of public lands, almost 30 percent of the state’s total acreage. In fact, the Glacier National Park is host to 250 lakes and many of them are within Montana’s boundaries. These birds are striking because they have wingspans of about nine feet. Only three states— Alaska, Texas, and California —have an area larger than Montana’s, and only two states—Alaska and Wyoming —have a lower population density. Jordan, Montana is one of the remotest county seats in the United States. Montana is the fourth largest state in the U.S. with the 44th largest population. 1. 6. 9. This river is definitely the longest un-dammed river in the lower 48 states. On November 8, 1889, Montana was admitted as the 41st state. You can’t really talk about American culture and history without learning about the Native Americans, and Montana is a wonderful place to experience Native American cultures and traditions. It is the tenth highest point in the U.S. 29. . It was a severe defeat for the U. S. military. The State of Montana was organized as territory on May 26, 1864 and entered the union as the 41st state on Nov. 8, 1889. It joined the United States in 1889 as the 41st state. Montana has a large population of native Americans. Montana has a large international border with Canada. This park is a combination of Alberta’s Waterton Lakes National Park in Canada and the Glacier National Park in Montana. Some cairns can still be seen. Montana is the 4th largest state in size, but the 44th in population. . Montana became a state on Nov. 8, 1889, with Helena as the capital. The List of National Historic Landmarks in Montana contains the landmarks designated by the U.S. Federal Government for the U.S. state of Montana.There are 28 National Historic Landmarks (NHLs) in Montana.. The smokestack in Anaconda, Montana is one of the tallest brick structures in the world. Part of the Yellowstone National Park is located in Montana. 4. 10. West Yellowstone History Facts and Timeline (West Yellowstone, Montana - MT, USA) This rustic southern Montana town lies near the Wyoming state line and grew up alongside the Yellowstone National Park and its western gateway. Montana has two important revenue-generating industries. 42. Montana is one of the nine mountainous states located in the western United States. 31. Montana Historical Facts. Fur trappers and traders followed, setting up forts to trade with the Native Americans. Montana is a fascinating montage to Native American heritage, Wild West pioneering and natural beauty. So that means there's lots of room to fly! 28. 13. By. This is the only site that has physical proof of the presence of these explorers. Montana Fun Facts and Trivia. You can fit the states of Delaware, Pennsylvania, New York, Maryland, Virginia and the District of Columbia into Montana. Montana's history was heavily dominated by its "Copper Kings". Her’s was the only vote against the war and she faced furious opposition for her views. Butte began as a gold camp. This park is the Beaver Creek Park located in Hill County, Montana. Cattle ranching had also become a large industry and farming grew as a result of homesteading in the area. Billings is the only city in Montana to have a population of more than 100,000 people while approximately 75,000 people live in Helena. Jeanette Rankin was against the World Wars and also opposed the U.S. attack on Pearl Harbour. In fact, deer, antelope and elk outnumber humans here. Gold was first discovered in Montana in 1852. The legendary Native American chief Sitting Bull has a town named after his daughter. The company smashed the mining unions, influenced the state legislature, acquired almost all of Montana’s daily newspapers, and virtually controlled the state for three-fourths of a century. The park experiences 1000-3000 earthquakes annually and is also home to supervolcanoes. The closing of the copper mines at Butte, the smelter in Anaconda, and the copper refinery at Great Falls in the early 1980s marked the end of the copper century and a turning point in Montana’s history. It was incorporated into the union on November 8, 1889. It stands at a height of 12,807 feet. Beyond Montana’s amazing landscape and national parks, there are 12 Native American tribes in the state, and they represent 6.3 percent of the population. Last updated on October 7th, 2020. The only early trading post to survive as a present-day town is Fort Benton, which was established in 1846 and became an important port on the Missouri River. There are no Democratic senators from Utah, Idaho, Wyoming, North Dakota or South Dakota. This steer was about six feet tall and weighed an impressive 3,980 pounds. As one example of this, Montana is represented by one Democrat and one Republican in the Senate. Aussprache [mɑnˈtʰænə]) ist ein Bundesstaat im Nordwesten der Vereinigten Staaten. The nearest airport is 175 miles away while the nearest bus line is 85 miles away. This earthquake causes the formation of 5-mile long lake, in 1959. An estimated 1800 grizzly bears are thought to be alive today. Montana has many lakes. 46 out of 56 Montana counties are considered "frontier Counties" with an average population of 6 or less people per square miles. This dam is the Fort Peck Dam located in northeast Montana. The Plains Indians were the first people to settle in Montana. There are also reptiles such as alligator lizards, skinks and venomous vipers. They are mining and agriculture. Montana’s top natural resources are copper, gold, silver and sapphires. Roman Catholic missionaries followed the fur traders and in 1841 established Saint Mary’s Mission near present-day Stevensville, believed to be the first permanent settlement in Montana. Editorial Staff. Few places in the US feel as wild as this state, where grizzly bears are common in the wilderness and big cities feel like small towns. Beaverhead County (5,543 sq mi) is the largest county in Montana. Montana (engl. In the 1880s, the railroad arrived in Montana bringing even more growth to the state. Gold prospectors flocked in after rich placer deposits were discovered in the early 1860s. During World War I, approximately 1500 Montanans died and 2437 were injured. Montana also has two popular slogans associated with its name – the “land of the shining mountains” and the “last best place.” Montana has more than a 100 mountain ranges in its western half. MC Lark the western meadowlark shows Barry the bald eagle around the state, from Helena to Billings. The Lewis and Clark expedition stopped at Travelers Rest in Lolo, Montana. Montana shepherds spent many lonely hours piling rocks into high stacks called cairns. Montana has a huge population of wild buffalo. Bozeman was elected an All-America City in 2001 by the National Civic League. It is called the “Big Sky Country” and it is also called “The Treasure State”. This state has at least eight federally recognized Native American tribes. Montana is the 43rd most populous and the 4th most extensive of the 50 states of the United States. Ring in the new year with a Britannica Membership. U.S. exploration and settlement. 12. The 1. Montana (nicknamed: the Treasure State) has 56 counties. . The United States acquired territory including Montana through the Louisiana Purchase of 1803. At the Rocky Mountain Front Eagle Migration Area west of Great Falls, more golden eagles have been seen in a … 21. continue reading on the next page (find about Montana state: size, population, demonym, highest and lowest point, length and width, National Parks, governor, motto, tree, song, bird, butterfly, fish, flower, fossil, gem, grass, mammal, Time Zone etc.). These include the Flathead Lake, which is the largest natural freshwater lake in the U.S. 45. Most of these millionaires made their money from gold. Trailblazers carved the northern Overland Route to Montana from the east, the Bozeman Trail from the southeast, and Mullan Road westward from Fort Benton, the head of navigation for steamboats on the Missouri. Montana has the largest population of golden eagles in the United States. 39. 35. So if you’re looking for a home where the buffalo roam, Montana is your kind of place. The Museum of the Rockies alone has 13 T-Rex specimens. 41. Montana is home to Glacier National Park. Timeline. The US gained control of modern-day Montana in 1803, when the French sold the rights to the Louisiana Purchase to President Thomas Jefferson. It has 56 Counties. Montana is the 43rd most populous and the 4th most extensive of the 50 states of the United States. The earliest Spanish settlers named the state “montaña” and it means mountain in Spanish. VOTE NOW: Is Montana Gov. Montana native, Jeanette Rankin was elected to Congress in 1916 and re-elected in 1940. It stands 585 feet high. The Yellowstone River runs through parts of Montana. And that’s how Roy, Montana was named. 10. Fun Facts about Montana Counties Counties by Year. This is the Montana Yogo Sapphire. Montana Territory as a Original County: Fort Benton: Custer: 1865: Montana Territory as a Original County called Big Horn County, name changed in 1877: Miles City: Daniels: 1920: Sheridan and Valley Counties: Scobey: Dawson: 1869: Unorganized lands: Glendive: Deer Lodge: 1865: Original County: Anaconda: Fallon: 1913: Custer County: Baker: Fergus: 1885: Original County: Lewistown: Flathead: 1893 After proving his courage while still a young boy, Tatanka Iyotaka, more widely known as Sitting Bull, was given his name by his father. Montana is the home of the world’s First International Peace Park. 16. Choose one to start playing: Take Quiz: Single Page HTML format. In fact, all you really have to ask for is a “Jack ditch.” 9. Trivia Quiz - Montana History Category: Montana Quiz # 10,293. It is the only state in the U.S. to share a land border with three Canadian provinces (British Columbia, Alberta, and Saskatchewan). 43. There are more cattle than human beings in Montana. It is the first national park in the U.S. Montana is also home to the “Crown of the Continent” – the Glacier National Park. Montana is large enough to contain six American states. 27. Discover an overview of Montana's rich history, heritage, historic events, and culture. It is the biggest waterfall on this river. The Dakota (Sioux) and Cheyenne won their last major victory in June 1876, against U.S. Cavalry led by Gen. George Armstrong Custer at the Battle of the Little Bighorn. 14. You can visit The Battle of Little Big Horn, where Custer made his last stand. Montana is known as "Big Sky Country". Although Montana is very conservative in presidential elections (it has not voted for a Democrat since 1964), it is more liberal than most states in the upper Rocky Mountains region. See the full list of the 50 states and their borders here. Only one gem from North America is included in the Crown Jewels of England. Bannack is the first territorial capital of Montana. Three of the five entrances to Yellowstone National Park are in Montana. Big Hole National Battlefield, western Montana. Fun Facts. The Clark Fork discharges the greatest volume of water of any river exiting the state. In Helena, Montana it is illegal to throw an item across a street. Montana — History and Culture. This motto is taken from the gold and silver deposits in the state. Steve Bullock Doing a Good Job? Western Montanais characterized by the Rocky Mountains, of which there are 77 named ranges in the state. 22. Professor of Geography, University of Montana, Missoula. It describes a buffalo bull sitting in a defiant position, a position Sitting Bull held his entire life. 25. This is because of the rich mining history of this city. Be on the lookout for your Britannica newsletter to get trusted stories delivered right to your inbox. In the early 21st century, rising petroleum prices sparked renewed interest in the exploitation of Montana’s vast coal reserves. The Pend d'Oreille were found around Flathead Lake, … Write CSS OR LESS and hit save. One of the state’s most valuable resources is petroleum. The continental divide is responsible for an extreme climate since the opposing Arctic and Pacific atmospheres link up to create a dramatic weather clash. Most of the other tribes are now living on reservations within their respective territories. As pressure from U.S. settlers increased, the Native Americans fought to protect their hunting grounds. In August 1959, a deadly earthquake of 7.5 magnitude strike the west of Yellowstone National Park. Montana has huge deposits of natural and mineral resources. Available Formats. CTRL + SPACE for auto-complete. If you walk around the little shack that sits on the vortex, the … This animal was once considered extinct but it is alive in well in Montana. Butte, Montana is called the “richest hill on planet earth”. Archaeological evidence shows a human presence in Montana beginning about 7,000 years ago. Montana attained statehood on November 8, 1889, becoming the 41st state to join the union. Montana has a large population of grizzly bears. Jeremy Wheaton / Flickr. 17. The first large-scale European exploration of the area occurred shortly later, when the Lewis and Clark Expedition, headed by Meriwether Lewis and William Clark, set off from Missouri to explore the newly acquired land. Some of these resources are zinc, copper, silver, lead, oil, manganese, gold, timber and zinc. Petroleum and natural gas production began in Great Plains Montana in 1915, expanded greatly in the 1950s, and peaked in the 1960s. 36. The first industry in Montana was trapping, close on the heels of the Lewis and Clark expedition of 1804-06, according to the state’s official website. From June 25 - 26th in 1876, the historic Battle of Little Bighorn, also referred to as Custer's Last Stand, took place near the Little Bighorn River in Montana. By signing up for this email, you are agreeing to news, offers, and information from Encyclopaedia Britannica. Anaconda Smoke Stack, site of former Anaconda Copper Company smelter, Anaconda Smoke Stack State Park, Montana. Montana has two popular nicknames. Beginning about 1900, homesteaders began pouring into the plains country to bust the sod and grow grain on semiarid, largely nonirrigated land. 44. 48. Starting with his development of the Alice mine in Butte, he then founded the community of Anaconda where he built a smelter. 32. The temperature changed a whopping 103 degrees Fahrenheit moving from -54 degrees Fahrenheit to 49 degrees Fahrenheit. The state no longer relies so heavily on the primary economic sector; more emphasis has been placed on tourism and on new and innovative businesses that provide jobs without causing deterioration of the state’s magnificent mountains, crystal waters, and wide-open spaces. 2. Montana attained statehood on November 8, 1889, becoming the 41st state to join the union. Hard-rock mining had begun in the 1880s, but shaft mining commenced when vast deposits of copper were discovered there. Montana They call Montana Big Sky Country. The Great Falls on the Missouri River is actually in Montana. Almost 40,000 Montanans volunteered or drafted for the war. The town of Ekalaka in Montana is named after the daughter of this famous chief. Plains Indians began to arrive from the east in the 17th century, drawn westward by abundant migratory wildlife. Fork Peak Reservoir of Missouri River is the largest reservoir in the state. Good luck. Montana has the largest County Park in the United States. Created out of the Idaho Territory in 1864, the name Montanais a derivation of the Latin word "montaanus" which means mountainous. The first non-Native American explorers known to have set foot in Montana were the members of the Lewis and Clark Expedition (1804–06). Montana Quick Facts. 47. 18. The Desert Land Act of 1877, allowed settlement of Arid Lands and allocated 640 acres to settlers for a fee of $0.25 per acre and a promise to irrigate the land. Montana has the largest migratory elk herd in the nation. 19. 20. That trend continued into the 21st century, though at a markedly slower pace than in the preceding decades. 3. William Clark's carved signature, Pompeys Pillar, south-central Montana. It means “with water.” “I’d like a Jack Daniel’s ditch, please” means, “I’d like a Jack Daniel’s and water.” This is not a joke. The state is also the world’s leading producer of talc, a mineral used in cosmetics. Visitors are advised to carry rain gear and warm clothes when visiting Kalispell’s backyard treasure. All Rights Reserved. The origin of the name “Montana” comes from the Spanish word for “mountainous.”. Butte subsequently became known as the “Richest Hill on Earth,” and the world’s largest smelter was built at nearby Anaconda. Der Name Montana leitet sich wahrscheinlich von dem spanischen Wort montaña, vielleicht aber auch vom lateinischen montanus (beides zu Deutsch: Berg-, bergig, gebirgig) ab. In 1892, Walter H. Peck established a post office on his ranch, requesting the name “Ray” in honor of a relative. 24. The state’s capital is Helena. The largest snowflake ever observed was seen in Fort Keogh, Montana. In 1888, there were more millionaires per capita in Helena, Montana than any other city on earth. Montana is the 41st state to be formed in the U.S. preceded by South Dakota and succeeded by Washington. Home to Glacier National Park and Little Bighorn battlefield, Montana has lots of amazing scenery and history … Arrived in Montana “ the Treasure state ” daughter of this, Montana it the. Total acreage the New year with a Britannica Membership 's carved signature, Pompeys Pillar south-central... 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