State-istics
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 milesPopulation: 974,989 (2009 est.)Population Density: 6.6/square mileLargest City: Billings, 33.8 square milesState animal: Grizzly Bear (Ursus arctos horribilis), 1862State Ballad: “Montana Melody”, 1983State bird: Western Meadowlark (Sturnella neglecta), 1931State Butterfly: Mourning cloak (Nymphalis antiopa), 2001State fish: Westslope cutthroat trout, 1977State flower: Bitterroot (Lewisia rediviva), 1895State Fossil: Maiasaur (“Duck-billed Dinosaur”) (Maiasaura peeblesorum), 1985State Gemstones: Yogo Sapphire & AgateState Grass: Bluebunch wheatgrass, 1973State Motto: “Oro y Plata” (Spanish: Gold and Silver)State Song: “Montana”, 1945State tree: Ponderosa Pine, 1949Highest Point: Granite Peak, 12,807 ftLowest Point: Kootenai River, 1,800 ftAgriculture: Barley, cattle, hay, hogs, sugar beets, wheatIndustries: Food processing, lumber/wood, mining, tourism