Montana

Overview

Montana (pop. one million) is a state in the Mountain West subregion of the Western United States. The western half of Montana contains numerous mountain ranges, while the eastern half is characterized by western prairie terrain and badlands, with smaller mountain ranges found throughout the state. In all, 77 named ranges are part of the Rocky Mountains. The state's topography is roughly defined by the Continental Divide. Montana has some 3,000 named lakes and reservoirs, including flathead Lake, the largest natural freshwater lake in the western United States.

Montana's fastest-growing sector is tourism: nearly 13 million annual tourists visit Glacier National Park, Yellowstone National Park, Beartooth Highway, Flathead Lake, Big Sky Resort, historical towns like Kalispell, and the state capital of Helena, with its rows of mansions. Whether it’s exploring the dinosaur trail, hiking to a glacier, kayaking Flathead Lake, visiting one of Montana’s ghost towns, driving the stunning Beartooth Highway, exploring Little Bighorn Battlefield, or taking a scenic day hike in Glacier National Park, Montana is a justifiably diverse destination.