Introduction

Montana is known as "Big Sky Country" because of its vast size and rolling plains.The name Montana comes from the Spanish word Montana, meaning "mountainous", although the eastern part of the state consists of gently rolling pastureland. Its capital is Helena and the state flower is the bitterroot.

Much of Montana's early history was concerned with mining, with copper, lead, zinc, silver, coal, and oil as principal products. Fields of grain cover much of Montana's plains. It ranks high among the states in wheat and barley, with rye, oats, flaxseed, sugar beets and potatoes as other important crops. Sheep and cattle raising make significant contributions to the economy.

Tourist attractions include hunting, fishing, skiing and dude ranching. Glacier National Park, on the Continental Divide, has 60 glaciers, 200 lakes and many streams with good trout fishing. Other major points of interest include the Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument, Virginia City, Yellowstone National Park, Fort Union Trading Post and Grant-Kohr's Ranch National Historic Sites and the Museum of the Plains Indians at Browning.

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