Wyoming is located in the western United States, where the Great Plains meet the Rocky Mountains. Wyoming, the "Cowboy State," was admitted as the 44th state in the Union on June 10th, 1890. The state capital is Cheyenne and the state animal is the bison. Wyoming is the ninth largest state, extending 97,914 square miles, but it is also the least populated, with an estimated population of 522,830 in 2007.
Wyoming boasts the establishment of the first national park and national monument in the United States. Yellowstone, the first national park, was established in 1872. The park is situated in the northwest corner of the state, and a small portion extends into Idaho and Montana. Yellowstone is known for its geysers and hot springs, caused by a massive volcano that lies under the park. Devil's Tower was designated as the first national monument in 1906. The monument is located in the Black Hills in northeast Wyoming, and holds special significance to Native Americans. Devil's Tower was also the location where the movie "Close Encounters of the Third Kind" was filmed.
Wyoming's motto is "Equal Rights" and one of its nicknames is the "Equality State." In 1869, Wyoming became the first state to allow women to vote. Wyoming women were also the first in the United States to serve on juries and hold public office. Esther Hobart Morris of South Pass City became the first woman to be appointed Justice of the Peace in the United States; she represents an important figure for Wyoming women's rights.
Wyoming ranks fifth in the United States for the coldest mean annual temperature--approximately 42 degrees Fahrenheit--and recorded one of the coldest temperatures ever in the U.S.: minus 66 degrees Fahrenheit in Riverside. Cheyenne averages the most hail storms per year (10) of any U.S. city. Wyoming also ranks first in the U.S. for average wind speed, so prepare for a serious headwind when visiting.
Wyoming ranks first in coal production in the United States. It contains the largest coal mine in the U.S., located near the town of Wright. The economy relies heavily on natural gas and crude oil production as well, ranking second and seventh in the country, respectively. Wyoming has one of the lowest gasoline taxes in 2010, and ranks first in per capita gasoline used.
The bucking bronco and rider is an important symbol for Wyoming. The symbol is thought to have been derived from a legendary bronco named "Old Steamboat" that was considered unrideable in the early 1900s. The image has been used throughout Wyoming's history, from an insignia worn by members of the Wyoming National Guard during World War I and by Wyoming troops in Vietnam and Korea, to the image on their state license plate.
