Montana

Montana contains numerous high mountains ranges with their tops partly covered with snow. This is how Meriwether Lewis described it way back then and up to now, Montana remains virtually the same till today. There are still the same Rocky Mountains that are covered with beautiful snows on top. And when the seasons change, it remains so majestic and grand that visitors are inspired by its beauty and grand scenery. Montana today still boasts of the same beauty that awed Lewis and Clark during the 1800s. The land is covered with prairies, river canyons, meadows, stone bluffs and snowcapped peaks. It is no wonder that it is called the Big Sky Country. There is just the seemingly endless sky above the rich and luscious rolling plains. 

State Nickname 

The State of Montana is officially nicknamed “The Treasure State”, because of the valuable minerals that can be found in the area. Due of its richness in copper, gold and silver, the state is known to have made fortune hunters rich during the mid to late 1800s. Today, the state is also known for its mining industry, ranching, framing and tourism.

Climate Summary 

West of the Continental Divide, the climate is modified northern Pacific coast climate wherein in winter it is foggy and cloudy but is not so much in the east.  On the eastern part of the state, there is usually hot weather. Summers are cool and the temperature is lesser at higher altitude. 

State Tax situation

Montana’s personal income tax very low and can be as low as 2%. For corporate income, it is 6.5% of net income. The state of Montana does not impose sales and use taxes but has wide range of excise taxes for insurance premiums, alcoholic beverages, tobacco, motor fuels, public utilities, pari-mutuels and other items.

Government Summary 

The state of Montana, as established by Montana Constitution has three branches of government: the executive, the judicial and the legislative branches. The state officials include the governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general, secretary of state, state auditor, superintendent of public instruction, Supreme Court justices, and clerk of the Supreme Court, public service commissioners and legislators.

State Seal

The Great Seal of Montana after much debate and revision dating back to 1865, now shows the Great Falls and the Missouri River, some trees and mountains. The seal was commissioned to G.R. Metten. The seal also has the words The Great Seal of the State of Montana, on the outside circle. 

Motto and Description

The motto of the State of Montana is “Oro y Plata” which translates to “Gold and Silver”. It was adapted in 1865 at the time when the state was debating on its official seal. The state motto was made to show the present and future economy of the state, hence they decided that it should be gold and silver as the state is rich with minerals.

State Flag

The official state flag of Montana shows the word Montana on a blue background and the official state seal below the words. The state seal has some of the most beautiful places in Montana while the pick, plow and shovel represents mining and farming, the major industry in Montana especially during the times of the pioneers.

State Bird

The official State bird of Montana is the Western Meadowlark (Sturnella neglecta). The state bird has been adapted since 1931. It was voted by school children of the state. The bird is common in Montana and the children are familiar with its songbird. The bird has a beautiful black and white stripped head and yellow body and cheeks.

State Flower 

The official state flower of Montana is the bitterroot (Lewisia rediviva). The flower was adapted in 1895. Bitterroot grows during spring and summer in south central Montana. The Native Americans eat the roots of the bitterroot, usually with berries. The Bitterroot Mountain, the mountain that divides Montana and Idaho was named from the flower.

State Animal 

The official state animal of Montana is the grizzly bear (Ursus arctos horribilis). It was adapted in 1983. The bear is common in the Glacier National Park and in some of the mountains of Montana. As the largest carnivore in the United States, the bear can reach 8 feet tall and weigh as much as 1,500 pounds. 

State Song and Description

The official State song of Montana is Montana. It was written by Charles Cohan and Joseph E. Howard. The song is about Montana as the Treasure state. It tells of the beauty of the state, its mountains, the skies, bitterroot and other things that make Montana the Glory of the West. 

State Colors

The state colors of Montana are gold and silver, from the minerals gold and silver which Montana is abundant. It is also the official motto of the state, as decided upon by the legislators at the time they needed to have a motto. They wanted it to represent the present resources and economy of the state as well as its future outlook.