Montana Chamber

Montana has a varied climate highly dependent on the mountain ranges that crisscross its surface. The eastern half of the state, which is relatively free of mountains and features plains and hills, has a semi-arid continental climate. Pack jeans, shorts and T-shirts with a few light jackets for when the wind picks up in the summer, but beware of the cold winters. Always remember a hat to block out the sun, considering the lack of shade.In the west (where the majority of the mountain ranges are located), the climate depends on the Continental Divide, which blocks the warmer air from the Pacific from moving east and also keeps cooler air from moving west. Thus, the region to the west of the Divide is considered a “modified northern Pacific coast climate.” This climate is characterized by milder winters and cooler summers, meaning that your attire for this region will be fairly similar no matter what the season. (more…)

Like any state, Montana has its share of celebrities. Take a walk through time with us as we look at some of the Montana natives who have burst onto the national scene.Ella J. Knowles Haskell (1860-1911): Haskell was the first female lawyer in Montana, as well as the first female candidate for U.S. state attorney general. In 1896, she was the first Montana woman elected to a political convention, and in her later years she won cases before the U.S. Circuit Court and Supreme Court. Knowles Hall at the University of Montana at Missoula is named for Ms. Haskell.Gary Cooper (1901-1961): Cooper gained fame as a Hollywood Western star and appeared in more than one hundred films. He received two Academy Awards for Best Actor (1941′s Sergeant York and 1952′s High Noon). His reputation lives on to this dayas recently as 2009, Cooper appeared on a commemorative U.S. postage stamp. (more…)

Date of Statehood: November 8, 1889Nicknames: The Treasure State, Big Sky CountrySlogans: Land of the Shining Mountains, The Last Best PlaceMotto: Oro y plata (Spanish, “Gold and silver”)Number of Counties: 56Area: 147,042 square miles (more…)