Welcome to Montana!!!
Glendive is located between two larger cities, Billings, MT, and Bismarck, ND, and is tucked between the Badlands and the Yellowstone River on I-94. It is considered the hub city of the rich inland agricultural area of eastern Montana and western North Dakota; large grain farms and ranches abound. Glendive’s main street is one-sided with a massive railroad yard and roundhouse on the other side. Makoshika State Park, one of the most impressive Badlands areas in America, borders the southern edge of Glendive. It is not only attractive with its highly unusual rock formations, but is a virtual warehouse of prehistoric fossils, mineral specimens, and dinosaur bones.
Dubbed ‘Big Sky Country’, Montana is the 4th largest state in total land area and is composed of vast rolling prairie land in the east and rugged Rocky Mountain peaks in the west. The Missouri River is the state’s most important river, which forms the region in central Montana known as the Missouri Breaks. Other major rivers include the Flathead and Yellowstone rivers, the latter being the longest river in North America without a dam. Glacier National Park in the extreme north of the state is one of the most striking nature reserves in the world. The state is also home to the largest population of American Bison. Cheyenne, Crow, and Blackfeet were just a few of the numerous Native Indian tribes that had settled in the area for over a thousand years. Spurred on by the discovery of gold and copper in the region, the U.S. Government established the Territory of Montana on May 26th, 1864. The Territory was the scene of the Battle of the Little Bighorn in 1876, where General George Armstrong Custer made his last stand against an overwhelming force of Native Indian tribes led by Crazy Horse. Some 13 years later, Montana became the 41st state to be admitted to the Union.
Despite its large geographic size, Montana has fewer than one million people in the state, making it 44th in terms of population. The largest city is Billings, a major transport and tourist hub, and the capital is Helena. Other major cities include Butte, on the edge of the Rocky Mountain peaks, and Missoula, a cultural hot spot and university town. Agriculture is the most important economic sector, with cattle, wheat, and barley leading the way. Mining and lumber products are also important industries. A growing and traditionally important economic sector is tourism, with unspoiled mountain ranges, excellent fishing and hunting, and large National Parks.
