Wyoming, located in the Western region of the U.S.A., was the forty-fourth state in the United States, joining the Union on July 10, 1890. It is the tenth largest state in the U.S.A and the least populous. Cheyenne is both the state capital and largest city. Wyoming’s bordering states are Colorado, Montana, Nebraska, South Dakota, Utah, and Idaho. The major rivers are Bighorn River, Green River, Belle Fourche River, Powder River and North Platte River. The major lakes are Yellowstone Lake, Glendo Reservoir, Bighorn Lake, Boysen Reservoir, Flaming Gorge Reservoir, Seminoe Reservoir, Alcova Reservoir and Keyhole Reservoir. The majority of the state is dominated by the Rocky Mountain West and the eastern region is known as the High Plains, which is a highly elevated prairie region. Notable citizens include former Vice-President Dick Chaney and abstract artist Jackson Pollack.
The name Wyoming may be derived from the Delaware Indian word ‘Maughwauwama’, which means ‘Large Plains’. The state nickname ‘Equality State’ was earned by Wyoming because of the state’s equality for women. The state bird is the Western Meadowlark and the state flower, the Indian Paintbrush. The state flag was adopted in 1917. It has a deep blue background, which is surrounded by white and red frames. In the center of the flag is a white bison, with the state seal inside of it. The state seal illustrates a rancher and a miner on either side of a woman. Being that Wyoming was the first state in which women had equal rights to men and were able to vote and hold public office, the woman in the seal represents the state motto, ‘Equal Rights’. On either side of the woman there are two columns with the words ‘mines’, ‘grains’, ‘livestock’ and ‘oil’. These are symbolic of Wyoming’s agricultural and mineral wealth. Below the woman is a shield and an eagle to represent support for the U.S. The dates 1869 and 1890 on either side of the shield are the dates when Wyoming organized as a territory of the United States and when it became a state.
Prior to European arrival, many Native Americans such as the Shoshone, Lakota and Crow inhabited the state of Wyoming. The first white people to the land where the French trappers, however, the first white person to actually describe the state was John Colter, in 1807. He wrote in great detail about the Yellowstone area, however the great beauty of the region caused people to believe he was telling a tale.
In 1865, Representative, J.M. Ashley of Ohio introduced a bill to congress to provide a ‘temporary government for the territory of Wyoming’. On July 25, 1868, the Federal Government established the Wyoming Territory. The government then began to send expeditions to the Yellowstone area and the reports by Colter were found to be true. The region was indeed a magnificent place with outstanding scenic beauty. This led to the creation of the Yellowstone National Park, in 1872. It was the first national park in the world.
Wyoming was the first state to allow woman to vote accept woman roles in politics. In 1870, the first female served on jury in Wyoming. It was also the first state to elect a female Governor, Nellie Tayloe Ross, who was elected in 1924 and took office in 1925.
The major industries in Wyoming are farming cattle and sheep, coal and uranium mining, oil, natural gas and tourism. The major tourist destinations are the Yellowstone National Park, Grand Teton National Park and Devils Tower National Monument.
Wyoming’s climate is typically a semi-arid continental climate, making the state drier and windier than most other states in the U.S.A. Summer days in Wyoming are quite warm whereas the nights are characterized by a rapid cool-down. Winters are usually cold, however in some parts of the state, the winter months become extremely cold. The common natural occurrences in Wyoming are tornadoes and thunderstorms.
Wyoming is home to 522,830 Americans. The center of population is located in Natrona County. The dominating religions in the state are Christian and Protestant. Other religions are Roman Catholic and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Many of the states popular attractions include Shoes made from Big Nose-George, Wyoming Frontier Prison Museum, Old West Wax Museum and Ames Pyramid. Outdoor recreational activities are also quite popular in Wyoming. Tourists and residents enjoy horse riding, climbing, fishing, paddling, scenic drives, snow sports, windsurfing and sailing.
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