USA Guide
The Rockies
Montana
Montana's wondrous Big Sky country, along the northernmost edge of the US portion of the Rocky Mountains, is a region of snowcapped summits, turbulent rivers, spectacular glacial valleys, heavily wooded forests, and sparkling blue lakes. The scenery is at its most dramatic in the western side of the state, especially Glacier National Park. By contrast, the eastern two-thirds is high prairie: sun-parched in summer and wracked by blizzards in winter. Grizzly bears, elk, and bighorn sheep are found in greater numbers in Montana than just about anywhere else on the continent.
Each of Montana's small cities has its own proud identity. The enjoyable town of Missoula is a laidback college town; the historic copper-mining hamlet of Butte is a hardscrabble union stronghold; the elegant state capital Helenaharks back to its prosperous gold-mining years; and Bozeman, just to the south, is one of the hippest mountain towns in the US.
Wheat, lumber, and (coal) mining form the contemporary base of Montana's economy. Tourism is the state's second biggest earner; however, apart from skiing, the harsh climate generally restricts tourist activities to the summer months.
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