Montana

Basic Information

Montana, the fourth largest U.S. state by area, is known for its stunning landscapes, wilderness areas, and rich natural resources.

Capital

• Helena

Largest City

• Billings

Area

• 147,040 sq mi

Population

• 1.1 million (2020)

Demographics

Montana has one of the lowest population densities in the nation, with communities spread across its vast territory.

Ethnic Composition

• White:85.9%
• Native American:6.7%
• Hispanic:4.1%
• African American:0.6%
• Asian:0.9%

Languages

• English:96.1%
• Native American Languages:1.3%
• German:0.7%
• Spanish:1.4%

Age Distribution

• Under 18:21.7%
• 18-64:59.8%
• 65+:18.5%

Population Growth

• Annual Rate:1.0%
• Natural Increase:2,500
• Migration:9,000

Economy

Montana's economy is built on agriculture, natural resource extraction, tourism, and a growing technology sector.

GDP

• $52.9 billion (2022)

Major Industries

• Agriculture (wheat, cattle, sheep)
• Mining and Energy
• Tourism and Recreation
• Timber and Wood Products
• Healthcare

Employment Rate

• Employed:97.2%
• Unemployment:2.8%

Major Companies

• Berkshire Hathaway Energy
• Glacier Bancorp
• Washington Companies
• Montana Rail Link
• Simms Fishing Products

Climate

Montana experiences a diverse continental climate with extreme temperature variations and distinct regional differences.

Eastern Plains

• Avg. Summer:85°F
• Avg. Winter:15°F
• Rainfall:12-15 inches/year
• Semi-arid climate

Western Mountains

• Avg. Summer:75°F
• Avg. Winter:20°F
• Rainfall:20-30 inches/year
• Mountain climate

Temperature Extremes

• Record High:117°F (Glendive, 1893)
• Record Low:-70°F (Rogers Pass, 1954)
• Temperature swings of 40-50°F in one day possible

Weather Patterns

• Chinook winds (winter warm spells)
• Summer thunderstorms
• Winter blizzards
• Average Snowfall:30-50 inches in valleys, 300+ in mountains

Visiting Montana

Montana offers breathtaking natural beauty, world-class recreation, and authentic Western experiences for visitors.

Best Time to Visit

• Summer:June-August (peak season)
• Fall:September-October (fewer crowds, fall colors)
• Winter:December-March (skiing, snowmobiling)
• Spring:May-June (wildlife viewing, wildflowers)

Transportation

• Major Airports:7 commercial airports
• Train:Amtrak Empire Builder route (northern Montana)
• Highway System:73,000 miles
• Mountain Passes:Some closed in winter

Accommodation

• Hotels:600+
• Camping Sites:10,000+
• Dude Ranches:30+
• Average Hotel Rate:$120/night (varies seasonally)

Tourist Information

• Visitor Centers:14 statewide
• Tourism Website:Visit Montana
• Info Hotline:1-800-VISIT-MT
• Montana Travel Guide (free publication)

Popular Attractions

Montana boasts some of America's most spectacular natural attractions and authentic Western experiences.

National Parks

• Glacier National Park
• Yellowstone National Park (partially in Montana)
• Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument
• Grant-Kohrs Ranch National Historic Site

Outdoor Recreation

• Big Sky Resort
• Whitefish Mountain Resort
• Missouri River
• Flathead Lake
• Bob Marshall Wilderness Complex

Cultural Sites

• Museum of the Rockies
• Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center
• C.M. Russell Museum
• Montana State Capitol
• World Museum of Mining

Popular Towns

• Missoula
• Bozeman
• Whitefish
• Great Falls
• Helena
• West Yellowstone

History

Montana's rich history spans from indigenous cultures through the Lewis and Clark expedition, mining booms, and its development as the "Last Best Place."

Early History

• Native Peoples:Blackfeet, Crow, Salish, other tribes
• Lewis and Clark Expedition:1804-1806
• Fur Trading Era:1820s-1840s

19th Century

• Gold Rush:1860s
• Copper Mining Boom:1880s
• Statehood:1889
• Railroad Expansion:1880s-1890s

20th Century

• Homestead Era:1900-1920s
• Drought & Depression:1920s-1930s
• Dam Construction & Electrification:1930s-1950s
• Tourism Development:1970s-present

Recent History

• Technology Sector Growth
• Conservation Movements
• Population Growth in Western Valleys
• Energy Development

State Symbols

Montana has designated various official state symbols representing its natural heritage and cultural identity.

State Animals

• State Animal:

  Grizzly Bear
• State Bird:

  Western Meadowlark
• State Fish:

  Blackspotted Cutthroat Trout
• State Butterfly:

  Mourning Cloak
• State Insect:

  Western Honey Bee

State Plants

• State Flower:

  Bitterroot
• State Tree:

  Ponderosa Pine
• State Grass:

  Bluebunch Wheatgrass
• State Montana Moss Agate
• State Fossil:

  Maiasaura Peeblesorum (duck-billed dinosaur)

Cultural Symbols

• State Song:

  "Montana"
• State Ballad:

  "Montana Melody"
• State Lullaby:

  "Montana Lullaby"
• State Motto:

  "Oro y Plata" (Gold and Silver)
• State Flag:

  Blue field with state seal

Other Symbols

• State Gemstones:

  Sapphire and Agate
• State Soil:

  Scobey Soil
• State Fossil:

  Maiasaura (duck-billed dinosaur)
• State Dance:

  Square Dance
• State Drink:

  Milk

State Facts

Montana holds numerous distinctive records and fascinating facts that highlight its unique character and natural features.

Geographic Facts

• Highest Point:

  Granite Peak (12,799 ft)
• Lowest Point:

  Kootenai River (1,800 ft)
• Longest River:

  Missouri River (1,029 miles in Montana)
• Largest Lake:

  Flathead Lake (197 sq mi)
• Number of Mountains:

  300+ named mountain ranges

Records & Rankings

• 4th Largest State by Area
• 44th in Population
• Lowest Population Density in Continental US
• Triple Divide Peak (water flows to Pacific, Atlantic, and Hudson Bay)
• Home to 1/3 of Yellowstone National Park

Notable Firsts

• First Woman in Congress (Jeannette Rankin, 1916)
• Montana Dinosaur Discoveries (largest in world)
• One of First States with Women's Suffrage (1914)
• First National Forest (part of Shoshone, 1891)
• Site of America's Largest Freshwater Springs (Giant Springs)

Unique Features

• Contains Continental Divide (700+ miles through state)
• More Wildlife Species than Any Other State
• Going-to-the-Sun Road (engineering marvel)
• Berkeley Pit (former copper mine, now toxic lake)
• More than 170,000 Miles of Rivers and Streams

Government & Politics

Montana has a distinctive political culture with a history of independent voting and a strong populist tradition.

Governor

• Greg Gianforte (as of 2023)

Legislature

• Bicameral:State Senate and House of Representatives

Political Trends

• Republican-leaning in recent years, but with independent streak

Key Political Issues

• Natural Resource Management
• Land Access and Conservation
• Water Rights
• Agriculture Policy
• Tourism Development

Time Zones

Montana is divided between two time zones, with most of the state in the Mountain Time Zone.

Mountain Time

• Most of Montana (Mountain Time, UTC -7)

Central Time

• Eastern portions of the state (Central Time, UTC -6)

Daylight Saving

• Mountain Daylight Time (MDT, UTC -6)
• Central Daylight Time (CDT, UTC -5)

County Divisions

• Counties in Central Time:Carter, Daniels, Fallon, McCone, Powder River, Richland, Roosevelt, Sheridan, Valley, Wibaux

Education

Montana's education system serves its widely distributed population with a mix of rural and urban schools.

Major Public Systems

• Montana University System
• Montana State University (campuses in Bozeman, Billings, Havre, Great Falls)
• University of Montana (campuses in Missoula, Butte, Dillon, Helena)
• Community Colleges

Notable Private Institutions

• Carroll College (Helena)
• Rocky Mountain College (Billings)
• University of Providence (Great Falls)
• Salish Kootenai College (Pablo)

K-12 System

• 400+ public school districts
• Many rural one-room schoolhouses still in operation

Key Educational Initiatives

• Montana Digital Academy
• Indian Education for All curriculum
• STEM Education Initiatives
• School-to-Work Programs

Culture & Festivals

Montana's cultural identity blends Western heritage, Native American traditions, and outdoor lifestyle celebrations.

Major Festivals

• Montana Folk Festival (Butte)
• Red Ants Pants Music Festival (White Sulphur Springs)
• North American Indian Days (Browning)
• Winter Fair (Fairfield)
• Montana State Fair (Great Falls)

Cultural Events

• Rodeos throughout the state
• MADE Fair (artisan markets)
• Big Sky Documentary Film Festival
• Montana Shakespeare in the Parks
• Festival of the Book

Regional Traditions

• County Fairs & Rodeos
• Powwows on Tribal Lands
• Local Farmers Markets
• Winter Carnival (Whitefish)
• First Night Celebrations

Sports & Teams

While Montana has no major professional sports teams, collegiate and outdoor sports are central to the state's identity.

Collegiate Athletics

• Montana Grizzlies (University of Montana)
• Montana State Bobcats (Montana State University)
• Brawl of the Wild Rivalry
• Carroll College Fighting Saints

Minor League Teams

• Billings Mustangs (Baseball)
• Great Falls Voyagers (Baseball)
• Missoula PaddleHeads (Baseball)
• Bozeman Gallatin Valley Outlaws (Baseball)

Outdoor Sports

• Fly Fishing
• Skiing and Snowboarding
• Mountain Biking
• Rock Climbing
• Trail Running

Sporting Events

• Montana Pro Rodeo Circuit Finals
• Grizzly Triathlon
• Missoula Marathon
• The RIDGE Run (Bozeman)
• Race to the Sky Dog Sled Race

Cuisine & Local Specialties

Montana cuisine features locally raised meats, wild game, huckleberries, and craft beers that reflect its agricultural heritage.

Signature Dishes

• Bison and Beef Steaks
• Huckleberry Desserts
• Game Meats (elk, venison, pheasant)
• Rocky Mountain Oysters
• Fry Bread and Indian Tacos

Beverage Heritage

• Craft Beer (70+ breweries statewide)
• Whiskey Distilleries
• Huckleberry Drinks
• Montana-Grown Coffee Roasters
• Local Ciders

Agricultural Products

• Wheat, Barley, Lentils
• Grass-Fed Beef and Bison
• Cherries (Flathead Lake region)
• Honey
• Christmas Trees

Food Festivals

• Huckleberry Festival (Swan Lake)
• Montana Beer & Wine Festival
• MADE Fair (artisan foods)
• Feast Raw Festival (Bozeman)
• Great Northwest Oktoberfest (Whitefish)

Infrastructure

Montana faces unique infrastructure challenges due to its vast size, harsh climate, and low population density.

Highway System

• Interstate Highways:I-90, I-15, I-94
• Over 73,000 miles of public roads
• High proportion of unpaved rural roads
• Going-to-the-Sun Road (National Historic Landmark)

Public Transportation

• Limited urban transit in larger cities
• Amtrak Empire Builder route (northern Montana)
• Rural transit services
• Airports connecting remote communities

Major Airports

• Bozeman Yellowstone International
• Billings Logan International
• Missoula International
• Great Falls International
• Helena Regional

Energy & Water

• Hydroelectric dams on major rivers
• Wind farms in central and eastern regions
• Coal mining and power generation
• Oil and natural gas production
• Major watersheds and aquifer systems

Notable Historical Figures

Montana has been home to influential individuals who shaped state and national history across many fields.

Political Leaders

• Jeannette Rankin (first woman elected to Congress)
• Mike Mansfield (longest-serving Senate Majority Leader)
• Thomas Francis Meagher (territorial governor)
• Joseph K. Toole (first state governor)

Cultural Figures

• Charlie Russell (Western artist)
• Gary Cooper (actor)
• A.B. Guthrie Jr. (author)
• Chet Huntley (broadcaster)
• Dorothy M. Johnson (author)

Native Leaders

• Chief Joseph (Nez Perce)
• Plenty Coups (Crow)
• Sitting Bull (Lakota, spent time in Montana)
• Little Wolf (Northern Cheyenne)

Pioneer Figures

• Marcus Daly (Copper King)
• William Andrews Clark (Copper King)
• Granville Stuart (rancher, vigilante)
• Nannie Alderson (homesteader)

State Government Services

Montana's state government provides various services adapted to the needs of a rural, widely dispersed population.

Health Services

• Montana Medicaid
• Department of Public Health & Human Services
• Rural Health Initiatives
• Indian Health Service Coordination

Natural Resources

• Department of Natural Resources & Conservation
• Fish, Wildlife & Parks
• Department of Environmental Quality
• Trust Lands Management

Economic Development

• Montana Department of Commerce
• Business Technical Assistance Programs
• Tourism Promotion
• Made in Montana Program

Public Safety

• Montana Highway Patrol
• Disaster and Emergency Services
• Department of Corrections
• Fish & Game Wardens

Key Historical Documents & Landmarks

Montana's history is preserved through significant documents and historic landmarks throughout the state.

State Constitution

• Original 1889 Constitution
• Current 1972 Constitution (considered one of most progressive state constitutions)

Historical Landmarks

• Montana State Capitol
• Little Bighorn Battlefield
• Fort Peck Dam
• Montana Historical Society Museum
• Butte Historic District

Archival Repositories

• Montana Historical Society Archives
• Montana State University Special Collections
• University of Montana Archives
• Tribal Archives (various reservations)

Historic Routes

• Lewis and Clark Trail
• Bozeman Trail
• Mullan Road
• Great Northern Railway route

Environmental Initiatives

Montana faces unique environmental challenges and has developed various conservation programs to protect its natural resources.

Conservation Programs

• Habitat Montana (land conservation)
• Future Fisheries Improvement Program
• Block Management Program (hunting access)
• Wolf Management Program
• Conservation Easements

Wilderness Protection

• Wilderness Study Areas
• Designated Wilderness Areas (15 areas)
• Roadless Areas Management
• Wild & Scenic Rivers Designations

Restoration Projects

• Blackfoot River Restoration
• Upper Clark Fork Remediation
• Abandoned Mine Reclamation
• Prairie Ecosystem Restoration
• Superfund Cleanup Sites

Climate Initiatives

• Renewable Energy Development
• Forest Management for Fire Prevention
• Drought Resilience Programs
• Watershed Protection Efforts

Major Events & Conferences

Montana hosts various conferences, trade shows, and events that reflect its key industries and cultural identity.

Business Conferences

• Governor's Conference on Tourism
• Montana Economic Development Summit
• Made in Montana Trade Show
• Energy Summit
• Agricultural Conferences

Academic Events

• Montana Science Fair
• Humanities Montana Festival
• Montana History Conference
• Indigenous Research Symposium

Trade Shows & Expos

• NILE Stock Show & Rodeo (Billings)
• Montana Outdoor Recreation Expo
• Montana Fair (Billings)
• MontanaFair (Great Falls)
• Home & Garden Shows

Cultural Gatherings

• Montana Book Festival
• Powwows throughout Tribal Nations
• Festival of Nations
• Craft Beer Festivals
• Wildlife Film Festival