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The Regions of the United States | Facts & Statistics

Utah, the "Beehive State"
Abbreviation:
UT

Utah Flag
State Flag
Utah Seal
State Seal

he state gets its name from the Ute, meaning “people of the mountains,” an Indian tribe who lived there before the pioneers arrived. The state known as Utah began when Brigham Young led a group of Mormon pilgrims seeking freedom from religious persecution into the Great Salt Lake Valley, where they established a settlement in 1847. Mormons, members of the Church of Latter-Day Saints, make up a large percentage of the population of Utah. Utah became the 45th state of the Union in 1896. The golden spike completing the first transcontinental railroad line was driven at Promontory, Utah, in 1869, leading to a further influx of settlers. Utah is well-known for its snow-covered mountains and beautifully colored canyons. The wind and rain have formed rocks into many arches and natural bridges. The Great Salt Lake is the largest natural lake west of the Mississippi River; its waters are saltier than ocean water. The state's forests, mountains, lakes, and rivers are excellent for boating, fishing, hunting, sightseeing, skiing and swimming. One of Utah's most interesting places to visit is Mormon Temple Square in Salt Lake City. 

Der Staat hat seinen Namen von den Ute, den "Menschen der Berge", einem Indianerstamm, der vor der Ankunft der Pioniere in der Region lebte. Der Staat Utah wurde gegründet, als Brigham Young eine Gruppe Mormonen, die der religiösen Verfolgung entkommen wollte, in das Great Salt Lake Valley führte. Dort gründeten sie 1847 eine Siedlung. Die Mormonen, Mitglieder einer Religionsgemeinschaft namens Church of Latter-Day Saints, machen einen großen Teil der Gesamtbevölkerung Utahs aus. Utah wurde 1896 der 45. Bundesstaat. Der goldene Schienennagel, mit dem die erste transkontinentale Eisenbahnlinie beendet wurde, wurde in Promontory, Utah, eingeschlagen. Dies führte zu weiteren Einwanderungen. Utah ist bekannt für seine schneebedeckten Berge und Canyons in zauberhaften Farben. Wind und Regen haben Felsen zu unzähligen Bögen und Brücken verformt. Der Great Salt Lake ist der größte natürliche See westlich des Mississippis; sein Wasser ist salzhaltiger als Meereswasser. Die Wälder, Berge, Seen und Flüsse eignen sich hervorragend zum Bootfahren, Angeln, Jagen, Skifahren und Schwimmen. Einer der interessantesten Orte Utahs ist der Mormon Temple Square in Salt Lake City.

GOVERNMENT
Capital:
Salt Lake City
Governor: Jon Huntsman, R (to Jan. 2009)
Senators: Robert F. Bennett, R (to Jan. 2011); Orrin G. Hatch, R (to Jan. 2013)
House of Representatives: 3 districts | Search by zip code

STATISTICS
Population (July 2005):
2,470,000; National Rank: 34; Percent change since April 2000: 10.6%
Land Area: 82,168 sq mi. (212,816 sq km); National Rank:
13
10 largest cities (2005 est): Salt Lake City, 178,097; Provo, 113,459; West Valley City, 113,300; West Jordan, 91,444; Orem, 89,713; Sandy, 89,664; Ogden, 78,309; St. George, 64,201; Layton, 61,782; Taylorsville, 58,009

ECONOMY
Total Gross State Product 2005 prel. (billions of current dollars): 89.8
Per Capita Personal Income 2005:
$28,061; National Rank: 45
State Exports 2005 (millions of dollars): 6,056 ; National Rank: 31
Agriculture: Cattle, dairy products, hay, turkeys.
Industry: Machinery, aerospace, mining, food processing, electric equipment, tourism.

Government
·
State of Utah Official Homepage
· Project VoteSmart
· State and Local Government on the Internet

Statistics
· Utah Profile - Fedstats
· U.S. Census Bureau: 2000 Data for the State of Utah
· U.S. Census Bureau: State Data Centers: Utah

Economy
· Utah - Regional Accounts Data

Background
· 50States.com
·
InfoPlease
· State Symbols
·
Utah State Historical Society: Utah History to Go
· Wikipedia: Utah

 
 

Travel
·
State of Utah Tourist Office
· Map
(MapQuest)
· State of Utah: State Parks
· ViaOnline Magazine: Events in Nevada

For High School Students
· ClassBrain.com: State Report
· Explore the States
· Stately Knowledge

Teacher Resources
·
ProTeacher: Lessons by State: Utah

Link Lists
· GovEngine.com: Federal, State & Local Government Site
·
Utah (Google)
· Utah (Yahoo)

 
Texts are abridged from U.S. State Department IIP publications and other U.S. government materials.
 
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Updated: May 2008