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Montana: Quick Facts

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News •

Montana Democrats choose trans/nonbinary person to be state House minority leader • Nov. 11, 2026, 5:20 PM ET (AP)
Ted Turner's son says his Western art collection reflects the media mogul's passion for 'big' • Nov. 11, 2026, 10:00 AM ET (AP)
Trump defends gifted Air Force One from Qatar and makes 2nd Amendment pitch as he campaigns for GOP • Oct. 15, 2026, 7:09 AM ET (AP)
The Latest: Trump looks to boost Republicans in Arizona and Montana during campaign rallies • Oct. 14, 2026, 10:32 PM ET (AP)

Facts

Also Known As Treasure State
Capital Helena
Population1 (2020) 1,084,225; (2025 est.) 1,144,694
Governor Greg Gianforte (Republican)
Date Of Admission November 8, 1889
U.S. Senators Steve Daines (Republican) • Tim Sheehy (Republican)
State Nickname Treasure State • Big Sky Country
State Motto "Oro y Plata (Gold and Silver)"
State Bird western meadowlark
State Flower bitterroot
State Song “Montana”
Seats In U.S. House Of Representatives 2 (of 435)
Time Zone Mountain (GMT − 7 hours)
Total Area (Sq Km) 380,832
Total Area (Sq Mi) 147,040
1Excluding military abroad.

Photos

Montana: flag
The Great Seal of the State of Montana features a landscape with mountains, the Great Falls of the Missouri River, a plow, and a miner's pick and shovel in the foreground. A ribbon below displays the state motto Oro y Plata, meaning gold and silver, all surrounded by a yellow border with the seal's title.
The western meadowlark is Montana's state bird.
Bitterroot is the state flower of Montana.
Political map of Montana showing state boundaries, county lines, and locations of major cities and towns, including the state capital Helena. The map also marks county seats and highlights neighboring regions such as Idaho, Wyoming, North Dakota, South Dakota, and the Canadian provinces of British Columbia, Alberta, and Saskatchewan. An inset locator map shows Montana's position within the United States.
Two rugged, snow-dusted mountain peaks rise above green valleys and dense evergreen forests in Glacier National Park, Montana.
Map of the northern Mountain region of the United States, highlighting major physical features, rivers, and mountain ranges across Montana, Idaho, and Wyoming, as well as parts of neighboring states. State capitals and key cities are marked, along with features such as the Rocky Mountains, Yellowstone Lake, and Flathead Lake. The map also shows the region's proximity to the Canadian border.
Physical map of Montana highlighting major mountain ranges such as the Rocky Mountains, rivers including the Missouri and Yellowstone, major lakes and reservoirs, and locations of dams. State and international boundaries are marked, and a small inset map shows Montana's location within the United States.
Snow-dusted Granite Peak rises sharply with rugged, rocky slopes and a cirque filled with snow at its base in Montana.
Makoshika State Park
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