Introduction - Wyoming
The state of Wyoming is located in the West region of the United States and is bordered by the six states of Montana, Nebraska, Colorado, Utah, South Dakota and Idaho. Wyoming is a state where multiple towering mountain ranges, part of the Rocky Mountains, make up one of three geographical land types. Other land types include the relatively flat lands of the Great Plains and the Intermontane Basins. When traveling to this state, some famous landmarks to see include Yellowstone National Park, Grand Teton National Park, Old Faithful Geyser, Flaming Gorge and Jackson Hole. Below are lists of interesting facts, written for kids and adults, about Wyoming. This information includes when Wyoming became a state and what the capital is.Click here for a great selection of Amazon.com books about Wyoming.
Wyoming State Quick Facts
- Wyoming was the 44th state to become part of the United States of America.
- Wyoming was granted statehood on July 10, 1890.
- The abbreviation for the state of Wyoming is WY.
- The state capital of Wyoming is Cheyenne, which is also the largest city in Wyoming.
- The population of Wyoming is 582,658 (source 2013 united States Census Bureau estimate).
- Wyoming size is 97,814 square miles (253,348 square kilometers).
- Although Wyoming is the 10th largest state in the US, it is also the least populous state.
- Wyoming has 23 counties in addition to Yellowstone National Park.
- The state flower of Wyoming is the Indian Paintbrush (Castilleja linariaefolia).
- Residents of Wyoming are referred to as Wyomingites.
- The nickname for the state of Wyoming is the Equality State.
- Major lakes and reservoirs found within the state of Wyoming include Bighorn Lake, Yellowstone Lake, Alcova Reservoir, Flaming Gorge Reservoir, Keyhole Reservoir, Glendo Reservoir and Seminoe Reservoir.
- Major Rivers within Wyoming include Green River, Powder River, Bighorn River, North Platte River, Green River and Belle Fourche River.
- The state song of Wyoming is simply, "Wyoming".
Interesting Wyoming Facts
- Wyoming is home to the largest coal mine in the United States. It is called Black Thunder and is located near Wright, Wyoming.
- Within Yellowstone National Park a famous cone shaped geyser, named Old Faithful, it erupts about every 91 minutes.
- Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area is a major Wyoming tourist attraction and is visited by millions of people each year who want to take advantage of the areas numerous outdoor recreational activities such as camping, boating, hiking and skiing.
- Jackson Hole, in the westernmost portion of Wyoming, is a low-lying valley surrounded by mountains. Originally settled by Native Americans, today it is full of resorts and lodges for skiing enthusiasts who come for some of the best skiing and snowboarding in North America.
- Famous people that were born in Wyoming include former Vice president, Dick Cheney; Buffalo Bill Cody; Curt Gowdy, Nellie Tayloe, James G. Watt, and James Bridger.
- The Red Dessert, in Wyoming, is a high altitude desert that is separated by the Continental Divide which also surrounds the desert on all sides. This creates a unique drainage basin that does not allow water to flow out of the dessert naturally. Instead, the water must be absorbed or evaporated.
Historical Wyoming Facts
- The territory of Wyoming was the first to grant women the right to vote on December 10, 1869.
- In 1872, Yellowstone National Park, which is primarily in Wyoming, became the first official national park in the world.
- Cody, Wyoming is named after William Frederick "Buffalo Bill" Cody. The nickname of Buffalo Bill was given to him for his extreme buffalo hunting. He is said to have killed 4,282 while working for Kansas Pacific Railroad to supply the workers with meat.