Wyoming Information
Wyoming, abbreviation WY, is a state in the mountainous region of the western United States of America. It is one of the larger but least populous states. Wyoming’s nickname is “the Equality State”. The capital is Cheyenne. See all cities in Wyoming. About two-thirds of Wymoming is covered by the mountains of the Rocky Mountains. The rest of the state is prairie landscape. Wyoming is home to the famous Yellow Stone National Park, the country’s first national park. You will find the famous Old Faithful Geyser here and the flora and fauna are also very special.
Geography
Wyoming is located in the western United States, on the transition from the High Plains to the Rocky Mountains. The state borders Montana, South Dakota, Nebraska, Colorado, Utah, and Idaho. The state has boundaries along latitudes and longitudes, forming a square with them. The state measures 600 kilometers from west to east and 440 kilometers from north to south. It is the ninth largest state in the United States by area.
The Rocky Mountains in Wyoming are more interrupted than in Colorado, forming mostly isolated mountain ranges that rise above the plateau. The northwest of the state is the most mountainous, surrounding Yellowstone National Park, the Wind River Range, and the Teton Range. In the central north lie the striking Bighorn Mountains. To the south are the Laramie Mountains, Snowy Mountains and the Sierra Madre Range. The lower Black Hills lie in the northeast on the border with South Dakota. Between these mountain ranges are plains and vast valleys. Special in the central part of the state is the Great Divide Basin, which has no rivers and is located in the Red Desert.
There are no major rivers in Wyoming, but some major rivers have their source in the state, such as the North Platte River, Yellowstone River, Green River, and Snake River. The state’s largest lakes are in the northwest, including Jackson Lake and Yellowstone Lake.
History
Whether the De la Verendrye brothers were the first Europeans to reach the area as early as the 18th century is uncertain. It is certain that since the beginning of the 19th century fur traders explored the country. In 1832 Captain Bonville traveled through the area with an expedition of 110 men, and in 1842/1843 Fremont explored the land for the United States government. Shortly afterward, the great influx of pioneers came, heading for Oregon and Utah. The first to settle permanently in the area were the Mormons (1847). More intensive colonization occurred after the discovery of gold in 1867. In 1868, Wyoming was organized as a territory. At the same time, the Indians were expelled or placed in reservations, sometimes after bitter fighting (Fetterman massacre, Dec. 21, 1866). Wyoming was incorporated into the Union as the 44th state in 1890.
Economy
Wyoming’s economy is less diverse than other states, mainly due to the lack of large cities. The main sectors are energy, tourism and agriculture. Major tourist attractions include Yellowstone National Park, Grand Teton National Park, and Devils Tower. Agriculture dominates much of the state as more than 90% of the area is rural. The state is too arid for traditional agriculture almost everywhere, which is why Wyoming mainly has cattle ranching and ranching.
The energy sector is large in Wyoming. The state is the main producer of coal and the second largest producer of natural gas. Oil production also plays an important role. Thanks in part to the energy sector, transportation plays an important role in Wyoming, especially freight transport by rail and road.
Wyoming has a favorable tax environment, with low taxes. This attracts many famous Americans from California, who mainly live around Jackson Hole. Wyoming is listed as the most favorable state for business.
| Abbreviation: | WY |
| Nickname: | Equality State |
| Joined the US as the 44th state on: | 10 July 1890 |
| Capital city: | Cheyenne |
| Census: | 568.158 |
| Surface: | 253.554 km² |
| Geography: | Greeks include Montana, South Dakota, Nebraska, Colorado, Utah and Idaho |
| Governor: | Mark Gordon |
| state motto: | Equal rights |
| California official website: | wyo.gov |
