Wyoming

Wyoming is a landlocked state located in the Mountain West subregion of the Western United States.

It is the tenth-largest state by total area, covering 97,813 square miles. Despite its large size, it is the least populous state in the nation. As of 2024, the estimated population was 587,618 people. This makes Wyoming have the second-lowest population density in the country. The state is bordered by Montana to the north and northwest. To the east, it shares borders with South Dakota and Nebraska. Idaho lies to the west, while Utah is to the southwest. Colorado borders the state to the south.

The state capital and most populous city is Cheyenne.

The physical geography of Wyoming is divided into two distinct sections. The western half is dominated by the ranges and rangelands of the Rocky Mountains.

This area includes the Teton, Wind River, and Absaroka ranges. The highest point in the state is Gannett Peak, located in the Wind River Range. The eastern half of the state consists of the High Plains. This is a region of high-elevation prairie. The state sits on a great plateau that is broken by many mountain ranges. Surface elevations vary greatly across the landscape. They range from the Belle Fourche River valley at 4,000 feet to the summit of Gannett Peak at 13,809 feet.

Wyoming features a semi-arid and continental climate. This means the state is generally drier and windier than most other U.S. states. The topography of the land contributes to these extreme weather patterns. Summers are typically warm, but temperatures drop rapidly as elevation increases. Summer nights are also characterized by a rapid cooldown. In many areas, July high temperatures average around 80 degrees Fahrenheit. However, higher elevations average much lower temperatures.

Winters are cold and can be very variable. Sometimes, Chinook winds bring unusually warm temperatures to certain locations. Precipitation is often low, with much of the land receiving less than 12 inches of rain per year. In the Big Horn Basin, the climate is so dry it is nearly a true desert.

The history of the region involves many different groups of people. Indigenous groups, such as the Crow, Arapaho, Lakota, and Shoshone, inhabited the area for thousands of years.

European explorers later encountered these tribes. In the late 18th century, French-Canadian trappers entered the area for trade. This history is reflected in place names like Téton and La Ramie. American explorer John Colter provided the first English description of the region in 1807. Later, mountain man Jim Bridger explored the Yellowstone area in 1850. His reports were often dismissed as tall tales at the time. Eventually, government expeditions confirmed his descriptions of the landscape. This led to the creation of Yellowstone National Park in 1872, the world's first national park.

Settlement patterns changed as new trails and technologies arrived. Pioneers traveled through Wyoming via the Oregon, Mormon, and California Trails. These travelers often used South Pass, which was discovered by Robert Stuart in 1812. The establishment of forts, such as Fort Laramie, helped create early population centers.

In 1867, the Transcontinental Railroad arrived in southern Wyoming. This railroad replaced the older wagon trails. It brought new settlers and helped found towns like Cheyenne. The federal government established the Wyoming Territory on July 25, 1868. Wyoming finally achieved statehood on July 10, 1890, becoming the 44th state in the union.

Wyoming is famous for its early commitment to civil rights. It was the first territory to allow women the right to vote in 1869. Upon becoming a state, it was the first to grant women suffrage. The state also allowed women to hold elected office. In 1924, Nellie Tayloe Ross became the first female governor in the United States.

Because of these milestones, Wyoming's official nickname is "The Equality State." Its official state motto is "Equal Rights." This legacy of equality is a central part of the state's identity.

The modern economy of Wyoming is built on several key industries. Tourism is a major factor because of the state's natural beauty. The federal government owns just under half of the land in Wyoming. This includes two national parks, Grand Teton and Yellowstone.

The state also relies heavily on the extraction of minerals. These include coal, natural gas, oil, and trona.

Agriculture is another important sector. The state produces commodities like barley, hay, livestock, sugar beets, wheat, and wool. Farming and ranching have been central to Wyoming's history for a long time.