Wyoming

Wyoming was admitted to the Union as the forty-fourth state on July 10, 1890. Located in the western region of the United States, where the Rocky Mountains meet the Great Plains, it is bordered by Montana, South Dakota, Nebraska, Colorado, Utah , and Idaho . The Continental Divide runs through the central part of the state.

John Colter was the first modern explorer to visit Wyoming. This American fur trader traveled the area in 1807 and 1808, most likely crossing through Yellowstone Park. Thousands of Americans used the Oregon Trail to cross Wyoming between 1840 and 1867. Because of the region's harsh weather conditions, few willingly stayed. Most were migrating to Oregon or California . The Union Pacific Railroad and the completion of the transcontinental railroad in 1869 brought settlers to Wyoming. The state became a center for cattle ranching.

Growth remained slow, however, because farming was difficult in the region owing to soil unsuitable for crops and extreme weather conditions. During the 1970s the state experienced growth in the minerals industry, specifically coal, oil, and natural gas. Even that progress was stunted in the 1980s as the worldwide oil supply became abundant and Wyoming's contribution lost its importance.

In the twenty-first century Wyoming, though the ninth-largest state in terms of area (with a total area of 97,809 square miles, 253,325 square kilometers), is the least populous. In 2006 its total population was just over 515,000 people. The largest cities were Cheyenne, the capital; Casper; and Laramie, each with fewer than 60,000 residents.

Wyoming's population was primarily (92.4 percent) white, with 6.8 percent Hispanic and another 1.9 percent American Indian or Alaska Native. Just 33 percent of the population was aged twenty-four or younger.

Agriculture is the cornerstone of Wyoming's economy. Mining also contributes. Tourism has become increasingly important to state revenue, with travelers visiting Yellowstone and Grand Teton national parks as well as national monuments and historic trails.

In 2008 CNNMoney.com ranked Wyoming as the number one most business-friendly state in the nation, thanks to the absence of income tax.