Chapter 1 a Look at Wyoming 2
Table of Contents
Dedication 1
Chapter 1 A Look at Wyoming 2
Chapter 2 Geography 3
Chapter 3 History 4
Chapter 4 Government 5
Chapter 5 The People 6
Chapter 6 Industry 7
Chapter 7 Places to Visit 8
Bibliography9
Chapter 1: A Look at Wyoming
Welcome to Wyoming! Get ready to explore the ninth largest state in the country. Well my state name is Wyoming. The name Wyoming comes from the Indian word on the Great Plains. In 1869 Wyoming became the first state to allow woman the right to vote. That is how it got its nickname the Equality State, and its motto “Equal Rights”. In 1890 Wyoming became a state. The state’s gemstone is the jade. The state’s mammal is the bison. The last thing is the state tree which is the cottonwood tree. There are many interesting facts about Wyoming.
The state flag was adopted by the fourteenth legislature on January 31, 1917. The colors on the flag are red, white, and blue. The red border represents the Indian; also the blood of the pioneers who gave their lives reclaiming the soil. White is the emblem of purity and uprightness over Wyoming. Blue the color of the sky and mountains is symbolic of fidelity, justice, and virility. The states flag is an important thing to the state.
The Great Seal of Wyoming is very important. The Great Seal of the State of Wyoming was adopted by the second legislature in 1893, and revised by the sixteenth legislature in 1921. The two dates on the Great Seal are 1869 and 1890. It was to commemorate the organization and to remember the state being entered in to the union. The person holds a banner that says “Equal Rights”. This Great Seal is very important in Wyoming History.
The state of Wyoming is full of interesting facts. Wyoming had the first National Park in 1872 congress named Yellowstone National Park in northwestern Wyoming as the first national park in the world. Wyoming had the first national park. Wyoming has 7 million people visit each year. In 1906 Devil’s Tower was the nation’s first monument. The last fact is that ancient hunters moved there around 9000 B.C. There are many different facts about Wyoming.
State Flag State Seal
State Flower
State Bird
Chapter 2: Geography
The state of Wyoming is the ninth largest state in the U.S. In square miles Wyoming is 97,914. The five land regions are the plains, plateau, mountains, basins, and grassland. Southern Wyoming is home to the Great Divide Basin. The mountains spread in different places all over the state. Well the plains spread mainly in the eastern corner, and northern part of the state. These natural features are unique to the state of Wyoming.
Wyoming has different physical features than the other 49 states. Some landforms are the Yellowstone Geyser, the Rocky Mountains, and Devil Tower National Monument. The main water is the North Platte River, Green River, Belle Fourche River, and Bighorn River. The highest point is Gannett Peak at 13,804 feet. The lowest point is at the Belle Fourche River at 3100 feet. The surrounding states are Idaho, Utah, South Dakota, Nebraska, Montana, and Colorado. Physical feature are not rare in Wyoming
The climate is very different from the other states. The average winter temperature is 19 degrees Fahrenheit. The average summer temperature is 67 degrees Fahrenheit. The annual precipitation is 14.5 inches. Most of it falls in the Rockies. There are many natural resources, but there are a few that are crucial to go over. The five are coal, oil, sand, gravel, iron ore, and natural gases. The most important are coal, oil, and iron ore. These all make up Wyoming’s economy. As well as many other things that are very important to its economy. Wyoming has an unique economy.
Chapter 3: Wyoming History
Wyoming had many Indian tribes. The names of the tribes were the Shoshone, Crow, Arapaho, Cheyenne, and the Sioux Indians. The Shoshone People were a nomadic group of people, and only the eastern and Wind River Shoshone came into Wyoming. The Crow People were originally from the upper Missouri River, they moved from there in the 1400s, and one of the two groups moved to Montana and the other to Wyoming. The Arapaho People were known as expert horse trainers and riders, and the most important ceremony to them was the sun dance where they performed rituals during the ceremony. The Cheyenne People came from North Dakota and Montana, they moved west but were soon pushed out by the Sioux and Chippewa People, and when they got horses they gave up farming and started hunting for bison. The Sioux People were nomads and moved from Wisconsin and Minnesota to Eastern Wyoming, Montana, and Western South Dakota. There similarities were that they were all nomads and they all the tribes moved to Wyoming from somewhere else. The differences were there way of life and there different traditions. Those Native American Tribes are what made up Wyoming in most of its early history.
The state of Wyoming has a fantastic background. Wyoming was discovered by the first people in 10,000 BCE. It became part of the United States by the Louisiana Purchase in 1803. Explorers and Fur traders became an important part in the exploration of Wyoming. The early people were Explorers, Fur traders, and Mountain men. Mainly the Explorers were sent by President Jefferson to see the land he bought from the French. The fur traders mainly came in groups. The first Fur Traders were Louis Joseph and Francois De La Verendrye. They hardly came into Wyoming, but they were looking for a path to get to the Pacific Coast. Last were the Mountain Men which came by the dozens from different places. They came when the Fur traders were abundant with fur. By the 1840s Wyoming was booming with people because of the Oregon Trail. It was a very difficult journey. It goes for now and back then be adventurous.
The Statehood of this state was unbelievable. At first to apply for statehood you must have a population of 60,000 and a constitution. In 1889 55 men were elected to the state to write the constitution. The people voted and quickly approved it. An U.S. House of Representatives Joseph Carey introduced the bill that was seeking the statehood for Wyoming. The House passed the bill, but the Senate didn’t because it granted women the right to vote which worried them to think that the other states would follow. They eventually passed the bill, and on July 10, 1890 President Benjamin Harrison signed it into law. Wyoming was the 44th state. Wyoming had a great group of people and constitution.
Here are some important historical events. One would be the passing of the Oregon Trail when they discovered gold in Idaho and Montana. Another would be when Wyoming became a state. Last of all it would be when the Pony Express and Union Pacific Railroad were finished through Wyoming. Wyoming is an important part of the United States today and it wouldn’t be here today without all this history.
Chapter 4: Government
The Wyoming National Government consists of Representatives and Senators. There are two main senators and 60 House of Representatives. The two Senators names are Kit Jennings and Wayne Johnson. They both belong to the Republican Party. These senators are two of many. They are just the right pair to represent the State of Wyoming.
This State Government is unique in its self. The House of Representatives are numbered 50 Republicans and 10 Democrats. While the Senate holds 26 Republicans and 4 Democrats. The majority of this government is Republicans. In the whole legislature there are 90 people serving. All these members are part of the 61st legislature. The State of Wyoming has a fantastic group of people serving and representing it.
My governor just happened to start his term. My Governor’s name is Matthew Mead. He has been governor for 3 months. He started in November 2010. He was born in Jackson, Wyoming. Most governors are from different states and just moved there. He has 2 kids ages 11 and 12. He and his wife have been married for 20 years. From October 2001 to June 2007, Governor Matt Mead served as United States Attorney for Wyoming. He received his bachelor’s decree from the University of Texas, and got a law decree from the University of Wyoming. He also practiced law as a partner in a private firm in Cheyenne for about six years. Governor Mead is an avid outdoors man and loves to hunt and fish. He and his wife are devoted to operating their farm and a ranching business. He is a good governor for this beautiful state.
Chapter 5: The People
Wyoming has the smallest population in the United States. The State’s population is 563,626. Wyoming ranks 50th in all the State’s population in the US. There are 5.8 people per square in the whole State of Wyoming. Since the population is so small people have more land. That is great for the State’s natural scenery.
The interesting facts about the people are amazing. One fact is that the City of Cheyenne holds the all famous Wyoming Rodeos. The people are mainly farmers and cowboys. The main job of the people is educational services. This State holds great events.
The famous people of my state are very unique. The first person is Matthew Fox. He is best known for his role in Party of Five and Lost. He was born in 1966 and is still living today. He was raised in Crowheart, Wyoming. That is one of my famous people.
Dick Cheney is my next person. He was our former vice president. He attended the University of Wyoming. He served as Secretary of State for 3 years. He was born in 1941 and is still currently living today. That is a little about him.
Buffalo Bill and Red Cloud are my next group of people. Buffalo Bill came to Wyoming in 1858. His world wide fame attracted audiences to the Wild West and inspired people in the United States and Europe. Red Cloud was the Sioux leader. He won the two year conflict with the US Army. These people are important to unique setting of people.
Chapter 6
Industry
Agriculture is very important to Wyoming’s economy. The most important are hay, oil, coal, and beef cattle. Hay is the most important agricultural product in Wyoming. Coal and oil are important mining materials. Wyoming is the leading coal-producing state. It makes up half of the state’s economy. Beef cattle are, by far, the most important source of revenue in the state and in the livestock sector. In Wyoming, agriculture is also very important.
Manufacturing in Wyoming is minimal. The most important is soda ash. Soda ash is like baking soda. There is also petroleum, metal containers, structural metals, dairy products, refined sugar, soft drinks, and wood products. Wyoming’s economy depends on all of these products.
Unlike so many other states, Wyoming's chief services’ industry is not the community, business, and personal services group. The most valuable services in Wyoming are government services such as public schools, hospitals, and military establishments. Next are transportation, communication, and utility. Oil, gas pipelines, railroads, telephone companies, electric, gas and water service are just some of the services. Last are the financial jobs: finance, insurance, and real estate groups.
Bibliography
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Kent, Debra. Wyoming. New York: Scholastic, 2000.
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Www.Wyoming.gov. 20 March 2011. http://www.wyoming.gov/
WWW.Wyoming Tourism.org. 10 April 2011.
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