Montana Facts

How far is it? Calculate Distance Between Major Montana Cities.

41st State - November 8, 1889

State Motto: "Oro y plata" - Spanish for "Gold and Silver".

State Nickname: The Treasure State

State Song: "Montana", words by: Charles C. Cohen; music by: Joseph E. Howard

Montana's Capital: Helena.

Lt. Governor John Bohlinger and Governor Brian Schweitzer (23rd Governor)
They were elected on November 2, 2004 and took office on January 3, 2005.

Region: Montana is in the Rocky Mountain States.

Major industries: Agriculture, travel & tourism, mineral production, wood & paper products, construction.

Population: 879,372 (1996 est.); ranked 44th in size.

Indian Population: 11 tribes on 7 reservations comprising roughly 6% of total population.

Sister State: Kumomoto Prefecture in Japan. Kumomoto means "Bear Mountain".

Area: 147,138 square miles (4th largest state)
Highest point: Granite Peak, 12,799 feet
Lowest point: Kootenai River, 1,800 feet

Number of Counties: 56

Cities and Towns: 126
Largest City: Billings 91,195 (1996 est.)

Highest temperature: 117 Fahrenheit at Medicine Lake (July 5, 1937) [47 C]
Lowest temperature: -70 Fahrenheit east side of Rogers Pass (January 20, 1954) [-57 C]

State Seal: The seal depicts life in pioneer times: the pick, shovel, and plow represent mining and farming. In the background a sun sets over mountains, orchards and the Great Falls of the Missouri river. A ribbon contains the state motto.

State Flag: On a blue field are the State Seal and the State Name.

State Flower (1895): Bitterroot (Lewisia rediviva)

State Tree (1949): Ponderosa Pine (Pinus ponderosa)

State Bird (1931): Western Meadowlark (Sturnella neglecta)

State Animal (1983): Grizzly Bear (Ursus arctos horribilis)

State Fish (1977): Blackspotted Cutthroat Trout (Salmo clarki)

State Fossil (1985): Duck-billed Dinosaur (Maiasaura peeblesorum)

State Grass (1973): Bluebunch Grass (Agropyron spicatum)

State Gem (1969): Sapphire and Montana Agate

Thanks to Marty Lord for this information!