State of Wyoming
The great State of Wyoming adopted the name "wyoming" from the Delaware Indian word meaning "mountains and valleys alternating". There is also claim that the name comes from the Dakota Indian word "mscheweamiing" meaning "at the big flats" or "large plains". Both are certainly appropriate in depicting the landscape of Wyoming.
Get 5% off our best rate. Good on all vans, cars and 8-person SUVs. Pickup in Jackson or Cody.In 1865, a bill was introduced to Congress to provide a temporary government for the territory of Wyoming. The territory was to consist of portions of the Dakota, Utah and Idaho territories. The bill was introduced to the United States Senate in 1968. Other possible names were suggested such as Cheyenne, Shoshoni, Arapaho, Sioux, Platte, Big Horn, Yellowstone, Sweetwater and Lincoln. After much debate, "Wyoming" remained the popular choice and the State of Wyoming was admitted into the union in July 10, 1890.
STATE OF WYOMING FACTS AND INFORMATION
State Capital: Cheyenne
State Nickname: "Equality State" Wyoming women were the first in the nation to vote, serve on juries and hold public office, "Cowboy State" Logo depicting cowboy on bucking bronco, "Big Wyoming"
State Motto: "Equal Rights"
Resident's Name:"Wyomingite"
Date Admitted to Statehood: July 10, 1890
Rank of Statehood: 44th State
Population: 493,782 (2000 Census)
Total Area: 97,914 square miles - 9th largest state
Average Annual Percipitation: 14.5 inches
Highest Point: Gannett Peak - 13,804 feet
Lowest Point: Belle Fourche River - 3,100 feet
State Flower: Indian Paintbrush, Adopted January 31, 1917
State Mammal: Bison, Adopted February 23, 1985
State Bird: Meadowlark, Adopted February 5, 1927
State Tree: Plains Cottonwood, Adopted February 1, 1947
State Gemstone: Jade, Adopted January 25, 1967
State Fish: Cutthroat Trout, Adopted February 18, 1987
State Reptile: Horned Toad, Adopted February February 18, 1993
State Fossile: Knightia, Adopted February 18, 1987
State Dinosaur: Triceratops, Adopted March 18, 1994
State Coin: Golden Dollar, Adopted March 2004
State Sport: Rodeo, Adopted 2003
GOVERNOR OF WYOMING
Dave Freudenthal (Democrat)
Governor: Term expires on January, 2007
CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION
Mike Enzi (Republican)
U. S. Senator: Term expires in 2009
Craig Thomas (Republican)
U. S. Senator: Term expires in 2007
Barbara Cubin (Republican)
U. S. Representative: Term expires in 2005
GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATION
Located in the northern Rocky Mountain section of the western United States, the State of Wyoming is the ninth largest state in the United States. Containing 97,914 square miles, the state is made up of 23 counties, and is bounded by six neighboring states. To the north is Montana, east is South Dakota and Nebraska, on the south is Colorado and Utah, and the west is Idaho and Montana. The state is entirely bounded by straight lines and is one of only three states in the United States that can claim that fact. The distance from the north border to the south border is 276 miles, from the east to the west border is 375 miles.
CLIMATE
The average elevation for the State of Wyoming is 6,700 feet above sea level, the second highest in the United States. The climate is varied because of its topographical diversity ranging from high mountain peaks to undulating valleys to wide open plains. Most often the climate is categorized as semiarid. Annual percipitation ranges from as little as five inches to as much as 45 inches a year. The type of percipitation varies in form with rain or snow.
Wyoming has a relatively cool climate due to its elevation. The normal mean temperature is 45.6 degrees Fahrenheit. Rarely do temperatures exceed 100 degrees Fahrenheit above the 6,000 foot level. Summer nights are almost invariably cool with temperature readings into 40 degrees Fahrenheit. There is a drastic change with the summer daytime temperature readings from 80 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit. Distant from the mountains, low temperatures range from 50 to 60 degrees Fahrenheit. Information from 2001 records show that 64% of the days in a year are sunny.
PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS
The great State of Wyoming offers beauty and diversity in its grand landscape. The Great Plains meet the Rocky Mountains in Wyoming, comprised of a large plateau broken by significant mountain ranges. In the northwest are the Absaroka, Owl Creek, Wyoming, Gros Ventre, Wind River and Teton mountain ranges. In the north central are the Big Horns, in the northeast are the Black Hills, and in the south are the Laramie, Medicine Bow and Sierra Madre mountain ranges.
Running from the northwest to the south central border of the state is the Continental Divide. Wyoming's rivers are divided by this uprising, where rivers on the east flow to the Missouri River Basin eventually meeting the waters of the Atlantic Ocean. Rivers on the west of the Divide eventually meet the Pacific Ocean while flowing through the Columbia and the Colorado River Basins.
WYOMING'S ECONOMY
Wyoming is unique with an economy that differs significantly from other states. The main drivers behind the state's economy are the mineral extraction industry and the travel and tourism sector. In 2001, Wyoming's taxable values in the mining production was over $6.7 billion in revenue, with the travel and tourism industry accounting for $1 billion.
Wyoming does not possess an individual or corporate income tax, unlike the majority of other states. The Federal government owns 50% of the land with 6% controlled by the state. The State of Wyoming's unemployment rate of 4.2% recorded for 2002 was significantly lower than the national average of 5.8%. The gross state product in 2000 was recorded at $19,294 millions of dollars, based on the value of goods and services produced in the state of Wyoming. Per capita personal income for the state based on information for 2002 was $30,753.
The national parks and monuments draw millions of people to the State of Wyoming. In 2002, over six million people visited Wyoming's protected landmasses. The main attractions in the state include Grand Teton National Park and Yellowstone National Park. Records for 2001 show that nearly three million visitors entered these parks. Devil's Tower National Monument brought nearly 400,000 visitors and Fossil Butte National Monument brought 20,000 in the 2001 year.
Historically, Wyoming's economic identity has been associated with agriculture. In recent years, this important component to the performance of the state's economy has waned. However, it remains an essential part of Wyoming's culture and lifestyle, ultimately the character of Wyoming. Information recorded in 2001 for the agricultural production reflect a total value of $898.5 million. Commodities produced in Wyoming include livestock of cattle, hay, sugar beets, grains of wheat and barley, and wool. Classified rural land in Wyoming occupies 91% of the state.
UNIVERSITY OF WYOMING
Established by the Territorial Legistlature in 1886, the University of Wyoming has an impressive record of progress. The university is the state's only provider of baccalaureate and graduate education, research and outreach services. Enrollment for the fall semester of 2001 was 12,402. Every county of the state is represented at the university, with students attending from other states and foreign countries.
The University of Wyoming combines major university benefits and small school advantages. With more than 180 programs of study are offered by seven colleges: Agriculture, Arts and Sciences, Commerce and Industry, Education, Law, Engineering and Health Sciences. The programs are complimented with an outstanding faculty and world-class research facilities in a setting of spacious lawns and gardens against the idyllic backdrop of the southeastern Wyoming's rugged mountains and high plains.
The main campus is located in Laramie, two hours north of Denver. The university also maintains the University of Wyoming Casper College Center, nine outreach education centers across Wyoming, and Cooperative Extension Service centers in each of the state's 23 counties and on the Wind River Indian Reservation.
COMMUNITY COLLEGES
The State of Wyoming houses seven community colleges, also referred to as junior colleges. Educational opportunities are offered a the Casper College in Casper, Central Wyoming College in Riverton, Eastern Wyoming College in Torrington, Laramie County Community College in Laramie, Northwest College in Powell, Sheridan College in Sheridan, and Western Wyoming College in Rock Springs. In conjunction with the university the following programs are offered: academic courses at the freshman and sophomore levels, terminal, vocational and general education programs, and adult education programs in the local communities.
PUBLIC SCHOOLS
The State of Wyoming's public education is directed by the State Superintendent of Public Instruction, an elected state official. The policies for the education system are outlined by the State Board of Education, a nine member board appointed by the Governor. Local school boards establish the curriculum and text book selections. The information on school figures throughout the state is based on records from the fall of 1983. The enrollment records show 100,965 students in public schools, approximately 2,633 in non-public schools, 480 in Indian schools, 1,036 in pre-school development centers, and 270 in the university school. In the state there are 49 school districts with 154 elementary schools, 63 junior high or middle schools, and 73 secondary schools.
Casper houses the Wyoming School for the Deaf. The State Department of Education operates the program and serves approximately 44 students either at the Deaf School or in public schools throughout the state. Many attending students of the school in Casper are from other communities throughout the state. These students are housed in private residences in Casper during the school term.
WYOMING MINERAL PRODUCTION
In the fiscal year 2002, Wyoming collected over $48 million in sales taxes from the mining industry. Wyoming ranks the highest with employment in the mining industry for the entire country. The state's mineral commodities include coal, natural gas, coal bed methane, crude oil and trona.
COAL Wyoming is the number one producer of coal in the United States. The state's reserve for this resource is measured at 68.7 billion tons. In 2002, Wyoming produced 373.2 million short tons of coal, mainly used to produce electricity.
NATURAL GAS
Wyoming ranks 5th in the nation for its natural gas production. Natural gas is used in major markets for industrial, commercial, and domestic heating. In 2002, Wyoming produced 1,746.2 billion cubic feet of natural gas.
COAL BED METHANE
In the mid-1990's the boom for CBM (coal bed methane) began. CBM offers another means of natural gas production. Characterized as methane gas, it is extracted from Wyoming's coal bed seams. The Powder River Basin holds a substantial reserve for CBM production. In 2002, Wyoming produced 327.5 billion cubic feet of coal bed methane.
CRUDE OIL
Wyoming is ranked 7th in the country among oil producers. Petroleum is mostly used as a motor fuel, but it is also utilized in the plastics, paints, and synthetic rubber manufacturing. In 2002, Wyoming produced 54.7 million barrels of crude oil.
TRONA
The largest known reserve of trona is found in Wyoming. This resource is used in the manufacturing of glass, paper, soaps, baking soda, water softeners, and pharmaceuticals. In 2002, 17.3 million short tons of trona was produced in the State of Wyoming.
NATIONAL PARKS, FOREST, AND MONUMENTS
Wyoming is a state full of many "first accomplishments" for the United States. It appears, through all the information and facts on this great state, Wyoming's landscape has been cherished, valued, and preserved.
The State of Wyoming boast the first national park, Yellowstone National Park, declared in 1872 by Congress. Not only is Yellowstone National Park the first in the nation, but also the first in the world.
The State of Wyoming boast the first national forest, Shoshone National Forest, declared in 1891 by an Act signed by President Benjamin Harrison. Wyoming now has 9 national forests.
The State of Wyoming boast the first national monument, Devils Tower, declared in 1906 by President Theodore Roosevelt.
YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK
The name "Yellowstone" is credited to the Native Americans who lived in and around the park area. The name is derived from the Yellowstone River, which the Native American Minnetaree tribe called "Mi tsi a da zi" meaning "Rock Yellow River". French fur trappers transalated this to "Yellow Rock" or "Yellow Stone". Yellowstone was declared a national park in March 1872 under President Ulysses Grant's leadership. The famous Hayden Survey of the wild land in 1871 was the most productive, definitive and elaborate of all Yellowstone expeditions and within months Yellowstone was declared the world's first national park. The park and Greater Yellowstone area offer natural wonders for all to enjoy. The land was born of fires of thundering volcanoes and most recently been sculpted by glaciation and running water. Yellowstone features the world's most extensive area of geothermal activity, with thousands of hot springs, geysers, hot pots, and steam vents. This natural phenomenon offers a window into time and just what lies beneath the surface. The park is preserved and all that visit clearly recognize that this park is dedicated to the wildlife, humans are their visitors.
GRAND TETON NATIONAL PARK
The original Grand Teton National Park was established by Congress on February 29, 1929. At that time the park included only the Teton Range and eight glacial lakes at the base of the mountains, encompassing 96,000 acres. For several decades, the park would struggle through great controversy for the expansion of preserved land and governmental control versus the individual freedoms of private parties. In 1943, President Franklin Roosevelt combined Teton National Forest acreage, other federal properties including Jackson Lake and a generous 35,000 acre donation from J. D. Rockefeller to be held until December 1949 when a resolution could be made. On September 14, 1950, the original 1929 Park and the 1943 National Monument were united into a "New" Grand Teton National Park, creating present day boundaries encompassing approximately 310,000 acres of wilderness and some of the most beautiful mountain scenery in the western United States. Grand Teton National Park is just south of Yellowstone National Park and is connected by the John D. Rockefeller Jr. Memorial Parkway, an area which includes approximately 24,000 acres of land.
BIGHORN NATIONAL FOREST
In 1897 Bighorn National Forest was established, encompassing 1.1 million acres within an area roughly 80 miles long and 30 miles wide. Cloud Peak is the highest peak in the Bighorn Mountains and lies in the 195,000 acre Cloud Peak Wilderness. The land is rugged, a direct result from glaciation that formed U-shaped valleys and vertical wall formations that rise up to 1,500 feet in height.
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