Montana

One of the northwestern States; area 146,080 sq. m. It is naturally divisible into two parts; the western, which consists of an alternation of mountain and valley, the former rising to heights of 10,000 to 11,000 ft. and generally well covered with forests, the latter having elevations of from 2,000 to 5,000 ft., and consisting of plains, stretching e. from the base of the mountains with a gentle incline, devoid of forests, covered only with gra , and broken only occasionally by groups of hills. The Mi ouri and the Columbia head in M. by numerous branches. Of the geology of the mountain region we know little. The plains are overlaid entirely by Cretaceous beds. The industries are agricultural, with stock raising and mining. The principal mineral products are gold, silver, and copper; coal also is mined to some extent. M. was a part of the Louisiana purchase, and afterward succe ively of the territories of Louisiana, Mi ouri, Nebraska, and Dakota. It was organized as a separate Territory, with practically its present boundaries, 1864. The region first became definitely known through the explorations of Lewis and Clark, 1803-6. The first settlers began to enter it ab. 1861 on the discovery of gold; it soon swarmed with adventurers from all parts of the world. The recent population is of more stable character. It was admitted as a State 1889. Capital, Helena. Pop., 1890, 132,159.