November 8 - Montana becomes a State

 Posted on November 8, 2021

This is an update of my post published on November 8, 2010:

Montana became a state of the U.S. in 1889. This state is not very crowded. As a matter of fact, Montana's postal code abbreviation (MT) is particularly appropriate, as license plates and stickers can read:

Montana is MT

This of course could be read, “Montana is empty.”

But this “Big Sky” state lures millions of tourists every year to Yellowstone and Glacier National Parks, Little Bighorn historical site, and the Louis and Clark Caverns. The postal code abbreviation is also appropriate because “Mt.” is sometimes used as an abbreviation for “mountain,” and the western third of Montana is covered with mountain ranges.

When we talk about how crowded or not-crowded a place is, we are talking about population density. Statistics about population density end up talking about averages, because we take the total population of the place and divide that number by the total area of the place. We get data we can compare:

Montana has about 7 people per square mile.

Japan has 899 people per square mile!

Some maps show population density.

Here is a quick quiz about population density in the U.S. and the world:

1. Montana is only the third least dense state in the U.S. Name a state that is even less densely populated.
   
   
2. Montana is about the same size as which nation?
   a. Australia
   b. Japan
   c. Austria
   
   
3. What is the most densely populated nation in the world, with more than 43 THOUSAND people per square mile?
   a. Monaco
   b. Bangladesh
   c. India
   
   
4. What is the least densely populated continent in the world?
   
   
5. What is the least densely populated country in the world?
   a. Russia
   b. Iceland
   c. Mongolia
   
   
6. Which of these countries has a population density around 1,200 people per square mile?
   a. China
   b. South Korea
   c. Egypt

Here is another kind of population density map.
On this map of France, can you spot Paris?

ANSWERS: 

1. Alaska and Wyoming are both less densely populated than Montana

2. b

3. a

4. Antarctica

5. c

6. b

Also on this date:

Inkblot test creator Hermann Rorschach's birthday 

Domino Day

Parents as Teachers Day

Anniversary of the Louvre opening

Constitution Day in Pohnpei, Micronesia

World Town Planning Day

National Abet and Aid Punsters Day

Anniversary of the discovery of x-rays

(Some sources say November 5 is the anniversary)

National S.T.E.M. / S.T.E.A.M. Day

Mitrovdan in Serbia

Cook Something Bold and Pungent Day

 

Plan ahead:

Check out my Pinterest boards for:

• November holidays
• November birthdays
• Historical anniversaries in November

And here are my Pinterest boards for:

• December holidays
• December birthdays
• Historical anniversaries in December
  
  
  

May 26 – Anniversary of Montana as a Territory

Posted May 26, 2015

The name of the territory created on this date in 1864 comes from the Spanish word for “mountains.” And, indeed, there are plenty of mountains in the region – 100 or more named mountain ranges, most part of the Rocky Mountains.

Now that it is a state, some say that it is “Big Sky Country” – and that speaks to the topography (landforms) of the half of Montana that is not mountainous. The sky does indeed look perfectly huge arching over Montana's plains.

People joke that Montana is “empty,” as in “MT” – the state's abbreviation. It turns out that the state is one of the largest, but the population is one of the smallest. So the population density of Montana is almost 7 people per square mile. That's pretty thinly spread!

(New York City has 27 THOUSAND people per square mile! Even the whole state of New York has more than 400 people per square mile.)

Some of my favorite things about Montana are these:

• The Lewis and Clark Caverns
  
  
  

I have a special fondness for the first caves I ever toured!

• Glacier National Park

Gorgeous views and amazing wildlife!

• The Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument

I have to admit, there isn't that much to SEE at the site of this famous battle...but the docents were absolutely fabulous story-tellers!

• Yellowstone National Park
  
  Always and forever my favorite national park...It has everything from stunning mountains to gorgeous waterfall, magnificent lakes to impressive wildlife, and of course the freakish and amazing and colorful geysers, volcanic formations, hot pools, and mud pots!
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

Also on this date:

World Lindy Hop Day  

Anniversary of William of Ockham fleeing from the Pope

“Catholics may not enter!” - Anniversary of an awful law

Sorry Day in Australia

Astronaut Sally Ride's birthday

Plan ahead:

Check out my Pinterest boards for:

• May holidays 
• May birthdays 
• Historical anniversaries in May

And here are my Pinterest boards for:

• June holidays
• June birthdays
• Historical anniversaries in June

November 8, 2010

Montana becomes a state of the United States – 1889

This state is not very crowded. As a matter of fact, Montana's postal code abbreviation (MT) is particularly appropriate, as license plates and stickers could read:

Montana is MT

This of course could be read, “Montana is empty.”

But this “Big Sky” state lures millions of tourists every year to Yellowstone and Glacier National Parks, Little Bighorn historical site, and the Louis and Clark Caverns. The postal code abbreviation is also appropriate because “Mt.” is sometimes used as an abbreviation for “mountain,” and the western third of Montana is covered with mountain ranges.

When we talk about how crowded or not-crowded a place is, we are talking about population density. Statistics about population density end up talking about averages, because we take the total population of the place and divide that number by the total area of the place. We get data we can compare:

Montana has 6 and a half people per square mile.

Japan has 873 people per square mile.

Here is a quick quiz about population density in the U.S. and the world:

1. Montana is only the third least dense state in the U.S. Name a state that is even less densely populated.
2. Montana is about the same size as which nation?
   a. Australia b. Japan c. Austria
3. What is the most densely populated nation in the world, with more than 43 THOUSAND people per square mile?
   a. Monaco b. Bangladesh c. India
4. What is the least densely populated continent in the world?
5. What is the least densely populated country in the world?
   a. Russia b. Iceland c. Mongolia
6. Which of these countries has a population density around 1,200 people per square mile?
   a. China b. South Korea c. Egypt

ANSWERS: 1.Alaska and Wyoming are both less densely populated than Montana – 2.b – 3.a – 4.Antarctica – 5.c – 6.b

Enjoy...

...this photo gallery slideshow of Montana. 

...this website that offers photos and info about six regions of Montana. 

...these 360-degree “virtual tours” of various spots in Montana.