Wyoming . . . State 44

Wyoming's official flag was adopted in 1917. The flag has a deep blue field surrounded by white and red borders. A white bison dominates the flag with the state seal in the center. The state seal pictures a rancher and a miner on either side of a woman. The woman represents the state's motto "Equal Rights," is written on a banner. Wyoming was the first state in which women had the right to vote and hold public office. The words "Livestock", "Mines", "Grains," and "Oil" are on two columns that are on either side of the woman which represent Wyoming's agricultural and mineral wealth. A shield and an eagle symbolize support for the United States. The dates 1869 and 1890 are on either side of the shield which are the dates when Wyoming organized as a territory of the United States and when it became a state.

Wyoming became a state on July 10, 1890 as the 44th state in the USA. Wyoming lies about halfway between the Mississippi and the Pacific Ocean. To the north of Wyoming is Montana and the west is Idaho. Utah lies to the southwest and Colorado to the south. To the east of Wyoming are Nebraska and South Dakota. The capital and largest city is Cheyenne. Wyoming is the least populated state and ranks 50th with just under 500,000 people.

Wyoming is know as the "Equality State" because it was the first in the world to grant voting rights to women and also the first state to elect a woman governor.

The continental divide weaves across the state and is sometimes known as the backbone of the North American continent. In Wyoming the Great Plains and the Rocky Mountains meet which cover two thirds of the western part of the state. The greatest width of the Rockies is in Wyoming with the average elevation of the state being 6700 ft. which is 2nd highest after Colorado.

Wyoming has a dry continental climate with cold winters and mild summers. The spring and fall is cool with occasional fall snow. The temperatures vary greatly through out the state because of the elevation differences. In the desert areas precipitation is as low as 4 inches while in the mountainous areas they could get 260 inches of snow a year! The statewide average high temperature in July is just over 60 degrees, while in January, a 20 degree high is the average.

Agriculture in Wyoming is limited because of the lack of moisture in growing areas and also the extreme temperatures.

Economy:
Wyoming Agriculture: Cattle, sugar beets, sheep, hay, wheat.

Wyoming Industry: Mining, chemical products, lumber and wood products, machinery, tourism, printing and publishing.

Wyoming has 23 counties:
Albany - Big Horn - Campbell - Carbon - Converse - Crook - Fremont - Goshen - Hot Springs - Johnson - Laramie - Lincoln - Natrona - Niobrara - Park - Platte - Sheridan - Sublette - Sweetwater - Teton - Uinta - Washakie - Weston


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