Montana ( The Big Sky Country / The Treasure State ) Montana derives from the Latin word meaning "mountainous." Montana was admitted into the Union as the 41st state in 1889. The state is the fourth largest state of the United States. Western Montana is a land of tall, rugged mountains; while eastern Montana is a land of broad plains. Montana experienced sudden development when gold was discovered in 1862. Montana was also the scene of the Native Americans' last effort to keep their land. The last stand of Lieutenant Colonel George A. Custer was fought in Montana, as were the final battles of the Nez Perce Wars. The mountains, the battlefields, the old gold camps, and the vast, lonely distances give visitors a unique perspective of the American frontier. Some of the famous celebrities that were born in Montana include: Michelle Williams, Steve Reeves, Gary Cooper, The Flag of Montana Entered the Union in 1889 as the 41st State; flag adopted in 1905, modified 1981. The State seal shows the Great Falls of the Missouri River and tools indicating mining and agriculture. The motto appears on a ribbon below.   Largest Cities in the State (2000) Billings, 89,847; Missoula, 57,053; Great Falls, 56,690; Butte-Silver Bow1, 34,606; Bozeman, 27,509; Helena, 25,780; Kalispell, 14,223; Havre, 9,621; Anaconda–Deer Lodge County, 9,417; Miles City, 8,487   Business and Trade in Montana Agriculture: Cattle, wheat, barley, sugar beets, hay, hogs. Industries: Mining, lumber and wood products, food processing, tourism. State Symbols and Emblems Bird: Western Meadowlark Flower: Bitterroot (lewisia rediviva) Tree: Ponderosa pine (pinus ponderosa) Song(s): Montana Motto: Oro y Plata (Gold and Silver) Montana Travel - Vacation Destinations & Recreation National parks and historic locations suitable for family vacations or day trips. • Blue Range Wilderness - Missoula • Caribou-Speckled Mountain Wilderness - Missoula • South Phillips Recreation Management Area - Glasgow • Fitzpatrick Wilderness - Missoula • Mount Massive Wilderness - Missoula

Capital: Helena     Local Weather  Statehood: 1889-11-08  Population: 902,195 (6.2 mi2)   Geographic Area (mi2)     Total 147,042.40     Water 1,489.96     Land 145,552.43     Rank 4th Largest   State Education:     Pub & Prv Schools     College & University     Libraries   Border States: Idaho, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wyoming   Health Information:     Illicit Drug Use     Youth Risk Survey   Housing: In Montana, there are 412,633 housing units, averaging to 2.8 per sq mile.   Related Magazines:   Posters and Artwork Star Trails and Pine Trees in Night Sky, Montana, USA Photographic Print 24" x 32" • Montana Eagle Photographic Print 20" x 16" • Canada Geese, Branta Canadensis Goslings, Montana Photographic Print 24" x 18" • Great Falls, Yellowstone Park, Montana Pre-Matted Print 11" x 14" • Facade of a Government Building, State Capitol Building, Helena, Montana, USA Photographic Print 24" x 8" • Ski Jump in Fog at Big Mountain Resort, near Whitefish, Montana, USA Photographic Print 16" x 12"