Montana
Big Sky Country · Capital: Helena · West (Mountain)
Show simplified tile view
Quick stats
Bordering states: Idaho, Wyoming, South Dakota, North Dakota.
About Montana
Montana lies in the northern West, between Idaho, Wyoming, the two Dakotas and about 545 miles of Canadian border along the 49th parallel. Its name comes from the Spanish word for mountain, yet the Rockies cover only the west, and the Great Plains take up roughly three fifths of the state. In Glacier National Park, water leaving Triple Divide Peak can reach the Pacific, the Gulf of Mexico or Hudson Bay. The Missouri River begins at Three Forks, and Granite Peak, 12,807 feet, is the high point. Rogers Pass recorded minus 70 degrees Fahrenheit in January 1954, and chinook winds once warmed Loma by 103 degrees in a day.
The Blackfeet, Crow, Assiniboine, Gros Ventre, Salish and Kootenai held this country when Lewis and Clark arrived in 1805. Land east of the Continental Divide came with the Louisiana Purchase, land west of it from the Oregon Country. Gold strikes at Bannack, Virginia City and Helena between 1862 and 1864 led Congress to create Montana Territory in May 1864. Wars with the Native nations followed, including the Battle of the Little Bighorn in June 1876. Copper at Butte, where Marcus Daly bought the Anaconda mine in 1881, fed rivalries that dominated politics for two decades. Montana became the 41st state on 8 November 1889.
The 2020 census counted 1,084,225 Montanans, up 9.6 percent from 989,415 in 2010, at about 7.4 people per square mile, enough for two seats in the US House. Helena is the capital and Billings the largest city. Cattle outnumber people about two to one, and the state is home to seven Indian reservations. Its 1972 constitution guarantees a right to a clean and healthful environment. The official nickname is the Treasure State, and the motto, Oro y plata, means gold and silver. Jeannette Rankin of Missoula, elected in 1916, was the first woman elected to Congress.
4 fun facts about Montana
- Montana has about twice as many cattle as people.
- Glacier National Park had about 150 glaciers in 1850; only about two dozen remain.
- Montana is home to seven Indian reservations.
- Some Montana counties are larger than the entire state of Connecticut.
More about Montana
Frequently asked questions about Montana
Is Montana a US state?
Yes, Montana is one of the 50 US states. It was admitted to the Union in 1889, making it the 41st state. Its capital is Helena and its largest city is Billings.
What is the capital of Montana?
The capital of Montana is Helena. Note that the largest city in Montana is Billings, not the capital, a common point of confusion.
When did Montana become a state?
Montana became a US state in 1889. It is the 41st state admitted to the Union.
What is the abbreviation for Montana?
The 2-letter USPS abbreviation for Montana is MT.
How big is Montana?
Montana ranks #4 of 50 US states by area. With 7.4 residents per square mile in 2020, it was the 48th most densely populated state.
What is the population of Montana?
Montana had 1,084,225 residents at the 2020 census, the 44th largest population of the 50 states, up 9.6% since 2010. That count gives it 2 seats in the US House of Representatives.
What region is Montana in?
Montana is in the West region of the United States, per the US Census Bureau.
What time zone is Montana in?
Montana observes Mountain Time.
Learn more
How to learn the 50 states (full guide)
Last updated: