Montana

The western one-third of the state is primarily mountainous terrain, while the eastern two-third is part of the northern Great Plains.:This article is about the state. For other meanings, see Montana (disambiguation).

Related Topics:
Great Plains - Montana (disambiguation)

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Montana is located in the Northwestern United States with more than half the state dominated by the endless expanse of the Great Plains, contributing to the state nickname of "Big Sky Country". The western third of the state has numerous mountain ranges of the northern Rocky Mountains, from which the Spanish word montaña ("mountain") is derived. 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 and tourism.

Related Topics:
Northwestern - United States - Great Plains - Rocky Mountains - Spanish - Mountain - Population - Population density - Rural - Ranching - Wheat - Barley - Sugar beet - Lumber - Mineral - Tourism

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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, however the state has a Democratic governor (Brian Schweitzer), Democratic-controlled legislature (the Montana State Legislature), and one Democratic U.S. Senator (Max Baucus).

Related Topics:
American Indian - Lewis and Clark Expedition - 1804 - 1806 - Montana Territory - 1864 - 1889 - Congress - Jeannette Rankin - Homogenous - Montanans - White - Republican - Democratic - Brian Schweitzer - Montana State Legislature - U.S. Senator - Max Baucus

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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.

Related Topics:
State capital - Helena - Billings - USS ''Montana''

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