About Montana

Photo | The Rocky Mountain FrontFrom the Rocky Mountains in the west to the Great Plains in the east, Glacier National Park in the north to Yellowstone in the south -- Montana is truly the last best place. Our diverse resources, history, and culture present a variety of business and recreation opportunities.

 
Quick Facts
Statehood
 November 8, 1889 (41st)
Nicknames "Treasure State" and "Big Sky Country"
Motto Oro y Plata
Capital City Helena
Population
 902,195 (2000 Census) (44th)
Land Area
 147,046 Square Miles (4th)
Highest Point Granite Peak -- 12,799 feet
Lowest Point Kootenai River at the Idaho Border -- 1800 feet
Record High  117ºF at Glendive on July 20, 1893 and at Medicine Lake on July 5, 1937
Record Low -70ºF at Rogers Pass on January 24, 1954
Counties
 56
Bordering States & Provinces North Dakota, South Dakota, Wyoming, Idaho, British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan

Visit U.S. Census Quick Facts -- Montana for more information.

 
Symbols
Image | Montana State Seal Image | Montana State Flag
State Seal State Flag

State Flower
 		Bitterroot (Lewisia redevia)
State Bird
 		Western Meadowlark (Sturnella neglecta)
State Tree
 		Ponderosa Pine (Pinus ponderosa)
State Gemstones
 		Montana Sapphires & Montana Agates
State Grass
 		Bluebunch Wheatgrass (Agropyron spicatum)
State Fish
 		Blackspotted Cutthroat Trout (Salmo clarki)
State Animal
 		Grizzly Bear (Ursus arctos horribilis)
State Fossil
 		Duck-billed Dinosaur (Maiasaura pebblesorum)
State Song
 		"Montana" (words by Charles Cohen and music by Joseph Howard)
State Ballad
 		"Montana Melody" (words and music by Carleen & LeGrande Harvey)
State Butterfly
 		Mourning Cloak (Nymphalis antiopa)