Wyoming Geography

Basic Facts

• Geographical Region: West
• Size: 97818 sq.mi., 10th rank overall.
• Admitted to Statehood: July 10, 1890
• Population: 544,270;50th rank overall.
• Capital: Cheyenne
• Other Major City: Casper
• Abbreviation: WY

Fun Facts

• Nickname: Equality State
• State Flag: Click Here (opens window to 50states.com)
• State Bird: Western Meadowlark (opens window to 50states.com)
• State Flower: Indian Paintbrush (opens window to 50states.com)

Geographical Description

• The eastern part of Wyoming is characterized by short-grass prairie, cottonwoods and shrubs growing along the rivers of the Great Plains. Along the western bank of the Belle Fourche River, in the northeastern section of the state is where the Devils Tower National Monument is located.
• Most of the state is covered by the Rocky Mountains running north and south. The Continental Divide and a number of mountain ranges are found throughout this area such as; Big Horn Mountains in the north, Laramie Range in the south, Absaroka Range, and the Wind River Range containing the highest peak, Gannett Peak (13, 804 feet).
• A number of relatively flat areas with short grasses and lower brush are located between Wyoming mountain ranges. They are part of the Intermontane Basins. Major features of this area are the Bighorn and Powder River Basins in the north, the Wind River Basin in central Wyoming and the Green River, Great Divide, and Washakie Basins in the south.
• The major rivers to the east of the Continental Divide are the Platte, Wind, Big Horn and the Yellowstone rivers. The major rivers to the west of the Continental Divide are the Snake River in northwest and the Green River to the south.

Map: Relief Map of WY

Industry

Mining, pertoleum, chemical products, lumber and wood products, sodium carbonate, uranium, printing and publishing, machinery, processed foods, tourism

Agriculture

Cattle, barley, dry beans, sugar beets, sheep, hay, wheat.

Other Information

Fun Facts:

• The first state to give woman the right to vote was Wyoming.
• The first official National Park was created in 1872 and is Yellowstone. The majority of Yellowstone National Park is in Wyoming.
• The least populated state in the United States is Wyoming.
• Wyoming's borders are defined by straight latitudinal and longitudinal lines, rather than natural landmarks.
• Wyoming is bordered on the north by Montana, on the east by South Dakota and Nebraska, on the south by Colorado, on the southwest by Utah, and on the west by Idaho.

More Fun Facts: http://www.50states.com/facts/wyomin.htm