Wyoming

This western state covers a large area that includes mountain ranges, high plains, and dry basins. The land is thinly populated and opens up into wide horizons, where individual towns and ranches are often separated by long stretches of open country.

This territory became the 44th state in 1890, after railroad construction accelerated settlement in the late 1860s. Before that time, trappers, traders, and settlers crossed the region on the Oregon Trail, one of the main routes heading west.

Rodeos and livestock fairs draw local communities and visitors throughout the year, offering a direct look at cowboy life and cattle ranching. In small towns and rural areas, you can still see ranchers on horseback moving herds across open grassland, while local festivals keep the traditions of the pioneer era alive.

The capital Cheyenne sits in the southeast corner and connects the region to Colorado and neighboring states through major highways. Many places are far apart, so longer drives between attractions and towns are common, especially in the northern and western sections.

Almost all of Yellowstone National Park lies within its borders, with more than 500 geysers and large hot spring areas. This territory was also the first in the United States to grant women the right to vote, in 1869, long before other states followed.

Location: United States

Inception: July 10, 1890

Capital city: Cheyenne

Elevation above the sea: 2,040 m

Part of: contiguous United States

Shares border with: Montana, South Dakota, Nebraska, Colorado, Utah, Idaho

Website: http://wyoming.gov

GPS coordinates: 43.00000,-107.50000

Latest update: December 12, 2025 18:52