Created out of the Idaho Territory, Montana is known as "Big Sky Country", a reference to the vast eastern plains; the western horizon is marked by the Rocky Mountains. Montana became the 41st state on 8 November 1889. In 2007, it ranked 44th in population.
Introduction
With a 2006 population of 945,000, Montana is overwhelmingly white, with 90.8% of its population classified as white (80.1% US as a whole). In 2006, its largest minority (6.4%) was American Indian, followed by Asian at 0.4% and blacks at 0.4% (1.0%, 4.4% and 12.8%, US as a whole). Most of the population (2/3) is classified as rural. Not surprisingly, the state is much less densely population (6.2 persons/square mile) than the US (79.6).
Registered Voters: party registration not required
Registered Voters: party registration not required
Presidential Politics
Although Bill Clinton won the state in 1992, he did so primarily because Republicans defected to Ross Perot. Montana, which votes conservative in presidential elections, has three electoral votes.- 2004 : Kerry (D) 38.6%, Bush (R) 59.1%
- 2000 : Gore (D) 33.4%, Bush (R) 58.4%, Nader (I) 5.95%
- 1996 : Clinton (D) 41.2%, Dole (R) 44.1%, Perot (I) 13.6%
- 1992 : Bush (R) 35.1%, Clinton(D) 37.6%, Perot (I) 26.1%
Federal Representation
Montana has two senators and one representative:- Sen. Max Baucus (D, first term, 1978)
- Sen. Jon Tester (D, first term, 2007)
- Rep. Dennis Rehberg (R, first term, 2001)
State Government
The governor of Montana is Brian D. Schweitzer (D, first term 2005; the lieutenant governor is John Bohlinger. The capitol is in Helena.In 2006, Schweitzer had one of the highest approval ratings in the country.
Economy
Per capita personal income in 2003 was $25,406, 47th in the nation. The leading agricultural products are cattle and calves; wheat; barley; hay; and sugar beets. Montana grows about one-fifth of all the barley raised in the nation.
The western part of the state is known for mining: copper, silver, gold, platinum, zinc, lead, and manganese. The eastern part of the state has petroleum, natural gas and coal.
The western part of the state is known for mining: copper, silver, gold, platinum, zinc, lead, and manganese. The eastern part of the state has petroleum, natural gas and coal.
Geography
Montana is about 320 miles long and 559 miles wide; with 147,046 square miles, it is the 4th largest of the 50 states, following Alaska, Texas, and California. Montana is borderedCanada on the north and by Idaho and Wyoming on the south. On the east, Montana is bordered by by North and South Dakota. On the west, Montana is bordered by Idaho. Its highest elevation is Granite Peak at 12,799 above sea level. The main rivers: Clark Fork, Missouri and Yellowstone Rivers.
Longitude: 104° 2'W to 116° 2'W
Latitude: 44° 26'N to 49°N
Longitude: 104° 2'W to 116° 2'W
Latitude: 44° 26'N to 49°N