Montana is known for being scenic, wild, and natural. There's a lifetime of things to do and see in Montana. In this post, we shine the spotlight on a few Montana quick facts that will help you to learn more about this impressive state.

Let's look at some Montana Quick Facts:

  • Name: The name Montana comes from the Spanish word Montaña which means "mountain."
  • Statehood: Montana became the 41st state on November 8, 1889.
  • Size: 147,040 mi2 | 380,800 km2
    • 4th largest state behind Alaska, Texas, California
    • If MT was a country, it would be the 63rd largest country in the world and would rank between Zimbabwe (390,757 km2) and Japan (377,915 km2). Montana is larger than countries like Germany (357,022 km2), Vietnam (331,210 km2), Norway (323,802 km2), Ecuador (283,561 km2), New Zealand (268,838 km2), United Kingdom (243,610 km2) and many others.
  • Population: 1,050,493 (2017 est)
    • 44th most populated state
  • Density: 7.09/mi2
    • 48th highest density
  • Time Zone: Mountain Standard Time - MST (UTC−07:00)
  • State Capital: Helena
  • Largest City: Billings - Population: 109,642 (2017 Estimate)
  • # of Counties: 56
  • MT GDP: $48.1 billion
    • 48th in US
  • Largest Industries: Agriculture, Travel & Tourism, Timber, Mining
  • State Slogans: Big Sky State, Treasure State, Land of Shining Mountains, The Last Best Place
  • State Motto: Oro y Plata (Gold and Silver)

Now let's take a look at a few State Symbols of Montana:

  • Gemstones: Sapphire & Agate
  • Flower: Bitterroot
  • Tree: Ponderosa Pine
  • Fossil: Maiasaura (Duck-Billed Dinosaur)
  • Animal: Grizzly Bear
  • Grass: Bluebunch Wheatgrass
  • Bird: Western Meadowlark
  • Fish: Blackspotted Cutthroat Trout
  • Butterfly: Mourning Cloak
  • Soil: Scobey
  • Song: "Montana'

A few quick facts about the great outdoors in MT:

  • Public Land: About 30% of the entire state
  • Wilderness Areas: 15
  • National Forests: 10
  • National Parks: 2
  • Mountain Ranges: 64
  • Rivers: 169,829 river miles with 388 miles designated as Wild & Scenic
  • Mean Elevation:  3,400 ft | 1040 m
    • Highest Point: Granite Peak in Beartooth Mountains - 12,807 ft | 3903.5 m
    • Lowest Point: Kootenai River at Idaho/Montana border - 1,804 ft | 557 m

Do you want to learn more fun Montana quick facts? Here are a few resources that you should check out:

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