Montana: Impressive Facts About the Treasure State

Often called Big Sky Country, Montana is a state packed with natural beauty. Picture yourself standing in a lush meadow, surrounded by a rainbow of wildflowers, the soothing sound of a rushing river in your ears. As you gaze up, snow-capped mountains seem to touch the cloud-studded blue sky that stretches as far as your eyes can see.

Glacier National Park in Montana.Photo byHendrik CornelissenonUnsplash

This awe-inspiring landscape is just a glimpse of what makes Montana truly special. From its wide-open spaces to its unique features, here are 16 impressive facts that showcase why the Treasure State continues to captivate both visitors and residents alike.

Largest Landlocked State: Montana is the fourth largest U.S. state and the country's largest landlocked state. It is big enough to hold New York, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, DC, and Virginia inside its borders.

Plenty of Elbow Room: With just eight people per square mile, Montana offers plenty of space to stretch your legs.

A Big International Border: From Alaska to Maine, 13 U.S. states share a border with Canada. But Montana is the only state to share a land border with three Canadian provinces: British Columbia, Alberta, and Saskatchewan.

The entrance to the Waterton Glacier International Peace Park.Photo bySage Scott.

World's First International Peace Park: Glacier National Park and Canada's Waterton Lakes National Park united in 1932 to form the first International Peace Park.

Impressive Views: From Lone Mountain at Big Sky Resort, you can see three states and two national parks on a clear day. Beyond the breathtaking views, Big Sky Resort is the second-largest ski resort in the country based on acreage, and its Swift Current 6 is the fastest chairlift in North America.

Unique Water Features: Montana boasts the largest freshwater spring in the US (Giant Springs), the largest natural freshwater lake west of the Great Lakes (Flathead Lake), and the longest undammed river in the lower 48 states (Yellowstone River).

A crystal clear lake at Glacier National Park.Photo bySage Scott.

Glacier National Park: Covering one million acres along Montana’s northern border, Glacier National Park includes parts of two mountain ranges, 25 ice glaciers, 13 rock glaciers, and more than 130 named lakes. It also includes Going-to-the-Sun Road, considered one of the most scenic drives in the country.

Largest County Park: Beaver Creek Park, covering over 10,000 acres, is the nation's largest county park. Located just south of Havre, the park is open year-round for camping, fishing, hiking, wildlife viewing, and picnicking.

Native Mammal Diversity: The state is home to more native mammal species than any other in the US, including bison, elk, moose, mountain goats, and more than 100 other amazing creatures.

Grizzly bear near Bozeman, Montana.Photo bySage Scott.

Grizzly Bear Population: Montana has the largest grizzly bear population in the lower 48 states. If you travel off the beaten path and keep your eyes open, there’s a good chance you’ll spot a bear. While it’s more likely to be a black bear than a grizzly, you’ll still want to brush up on these bear safety tips before you go.

More Cows Than People: With about 1.5 million cattle and 1.1 million residents, bovines outnumber humans in Montana.

Brewery Haven: Montana consistently ranks in the top three states for breweries per capita. That makes sense based on its large wheat, barley, and hops yield in a state with a lot of thirsty cowboys, cowgirls, and vacationers.

A T-Rex on display at the Museum of the Rockies in Bozeman, Montana.Photo byShutterstock.

Dinosaur Fossils: Montana's Dinosaur Trail includes 14 different stops, showcasing Montana's rich paleontological history.

Crown Jewel Connection: A sapphire from Montana's Yogo Gulch is believed to be part of the British Crown Jewels.

Political Milestone: In 1916, Montana became the first state to elect a woman to Congress — Jeannette Pickering Rankin.

Famous Montanans: The state has produced notable figures like Gary Cooper, Evel Knievel, Phil Jackson, and Michelle Williams.

Check out the full article on Everyday Wanderer for more detailed information on Montana's attractions, history, and travel tips.