Montana Facts

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Montana is a vast and varied state of mountains, canyons, river valleys, forests, grassy plains, badlands and caverns. Its Big Sky covers a land area of more than 147,000 square miles, making Montana the fourth largest state in the nation. In area, it can accommodate Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, Pennsylvania and New York, and still have room for the District of Columbia. Yet, Montana's population is just 917,621 (2003 estimate), making it the sixth least-populated state. There are fewer people living in the entire state of Montana than in the city of Phoenix. In Montana, there is room to breathe. And nowhere is the air fresher.

Climate

Generally, Montana's weather is milder than many visitors might expect. After hearing about record low temperatures from some of our more notorious recording stations, like West Yellowstone and Cut Bank, some nonresidents think of Montana as an icebox. Unlike many areas of the nation, however, where winter settles in for keeps, Montana's cold spells are frequently interrupted by Chinook winds and mild periods.

The beauty of Montana's weather system is that whether it is hot or cold, Montana is dry and, therefore, neither oppressively hot nor oppressively cold. Average annual precipitation is 15 inches, varying from 9.69 to more than 100 inches. Average daytime temperatures vary from 28 degrees in January to 84.5 degrees in July.

Sales Tax and Accommodations Tax

As of the print date of this publication, Montana is one of only five states without a sales tax. The four-percent accommodations tax, or "bed tax" levied in the state provides the sole funding for tourism promotion efforts in Montana. (An additional 3% selective use tax is also levied on the cost of accommodation for a total tax of 7%.) Some communities have adopted a local "resort" tax.

Area Code (406) for all of Montana; Mountain Time Zone	State Capital Helena
Highest Point Granite Peak in the Beartooth Mountains, 12,799 ft.	Lowest Point Northwest Montana, where the Kootenai River leaves Montana, 1,800 ft.
State Bird Western Meadowlark	State Flower Bitterroot
State Tree Ponderosa Pine	State Fish Cutthroat Trout
State Animal Grizzly Bear	State Fossil Duck-billed Dinosaur Maiasaura peeblesorum

Wildlife Watching

Montana's magnificent wildlife — not just birds and mammals, but fish, reptiles and amphibians — are a part of Montana's heritage. You'll find them in marshlands and mountains, on the prairies, even in our urban communities. Montana is home to nearly 1,000 species of animals. Populations of elk, deer and pronghorn alone outnumber Montana's citizens. With a pair of binoculars and a healthy appreciation of living things, you can discover the diversity of wildlife that calls Montana home.

Montana's Watchable Wildlife Program promotes the conservation of fish and wildlife and their habitats through enhanced public understanding, viewing and appreciation of Montana's wildlife heritage.

Sites offering particularly noteworthy wildlife viewing opportunities are marked all across the state; just look for the brown and white “binocular” signs. Experts say the best time to see wildlife is right at dawn or dusk. A companion viewing guide that provides details about every Watchable Wildlife stop in Montana is available in bookstores.

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