#0excludeGlossary
Montana (/mɒnˈtænə/ ⓘ mon-TAN-ə) is a landlocked state in the Mountain West subregion of the Western United States. It is bordered by Idaho to the west, North Dakota to the east, South Dakota to the southeast, Wyoming to the south, and the Canadian provinces of Alberta, British Columbia, and Saskatchewan to the north. It is the fourth-largest state by area, but the eighth-least populous state and the third-least densely populated state. Its capital is Helena, while the most populous city is Billings. The western half of the state contains numerous mountain ranges, while the eastern half is characterized by western prairie terrain and badlands, with smaller mountain ranges found throughout the state.
Montana | |
|---|---|
| Nicknames: Big Sky Country, The Treasure State | |
| Motto(s): | |
| Anthem: "Montana" | |
 Location of Montana within the United States | |
| Country | United States |
| Before statehood | Montana Territory |
| Admitted to the Union | November 8, 1889 (41st) |
| Capital | Helena |
| Largest city | Billings |
| Largest county or equivalent | Yellowstone |
| Largest metro and urban areas | Billings |
| Government | |
| • Governor | Greg Gianforte (R) |
| • Lieutenant Governor | Kristen Juras (R) |
| Legislature | Legislature |
| • Upper house | Senate |
| • Lower house | House of Representatives |
| Judiciary | Montana Supreme Court |
| U.S. senators | Steve Daines (R) Tim Sheehy (R) |
| U.S. House delegation |
|
| Area | |
• Total | 147,000 sq mi (380,800 km2) |
| • Land | 145,550 sq mi (376,980 km2) |
| • Water | 1,491 sq mi (3,862 km2) 1% |
| • Rank | 4th |
| Dimensions | |
| • Length | 250 mi (410 km) |
| • Width | 631 mi (1,015 km) |
| Elevation | 3,410 ft (1,040 m) |
| Highest elevation | 12,807 ft (3,903.5 m) |
| Lowest elevation (Kootenai River at Idaho border) | 1,827 ft (557 m) |
| Population (2025) | |
• Total |  1,144,694 |
| • Rank | 43rd |
| • Density | 7.8/sq mi (3/km2) |
| • Rank | 48th |
| • Median household income | $70,800 (2023) |
| • Income rank | 34th |
| Demonyms | Montanan |
| Language | |
| • Official language | English |
| Time zone | UTC−07:00 (Mountain) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−06:00 (MDT) |
| USPS abbreviation | MT |
| ISO 3166 code | US-MT |
| Traditional abbreviation | Mont. |
| Latitude | 44° 21′ N to 49° N |
| Longitude | 104° 2′ W to 116° 3′ W |
| Website | mt |
Most of Montana came under American sovereignty with the Louisiana Purchase from France in 1803 and was explored by the Lewis and Clark Expedition shortly thereafter. Fur trappers followed and were the main economic activity in the area until gold was discovered in 1862. The ensuing gold rush, along with the passage of the Homestead Acts, brought large numbers of American settlers to Montana. Rapid population growth and development culminated in statehood on November 8, 1889. Mining, particularly around Butte and Helena, would remain the state's main economic engine through the mid-20th century.
Montana has no official nickname but several unofficial ones, most notably "Big Sky Country", "The Treasure State", "Land of the Shining Mountains", and "The Last Best Place". Its economy is primarily based on agriculture, including ranching and cereal grain farming. Other significant economic resources include oil, gas, coal, mining, and lumber. The health care, service, defense, and government sectors are also significant to the state's economy. Montana's fastest-growing sector is tourism, with 12.6 million tourists visiting the state each year as of 2019. In 2024 the number reached 13.7 million, the highest ever.
Italian
Adjective
montana f sg
- feminine singular of montano
Latin
Etymology 1
Either a substantivization of montānus (“mountain”, relational adjective) or a modification of montānia according to that adjective.
Noun
montāna f (genitive montānae); first declension
- alternative form of montānia
Declension
First-declension noun.
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