From our clean air to our sparkling waters and everything in-between, Montana is proud of our rich history, diverse resources, and friendly people. Experience the rare and valuable treasure that is Big Sky Country.

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

• 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)

Montana Shield

Montana Flag

Famous Montanans

• Arts
  • Brad Bird - Director of Disney/Pixar films The Incredibles and Ratatouille
  • Dana Carvey - Actor SNL
  • Bud Luckey - Animator Toy Story, Finding Nemo, and Wall-E
  • Charles Russell - American Frontier Painter
  • James Welch - Native American Author
  • Dorothy M. Johnson - Author
  • Gary Cooper - Actor
  • Myrna Loy - Actress
  • A. B. Guthrie - Author
  • Michele Williams - Academy Award-nominated Actress
• Athletes
  • Brent Musburger - Sports Announcer
  • Eric Bergoust - Skier
  • Evel Knievel - Dare Devil
  • Phil Jackson - Former NBA Player and Current Coach of the L.A. Lakers
  • Levi Leipheimer - Bicyclist
• Science
  • Jack Horner - Paleontologist
• Politics
  • Mike Mansfield - U.S. Senator
  • Jeannette Rankin - First U.S. Congresswoman
  • Lee Metcalf - U.S. Senator, first introduced Medicare
  • Thomas J. Walsh - U.S. Senator that prosecuted the Teapot Dome Scandal