18 interesting facts about Wyoming
- While the tenth largest U.S. state by area, Wyoming is the least populous, with a U.S. Census estimated population of 544,270 in 2009, a 5.9% increase since 2000.
- Total Area: 9th among states, 253,347 sq km (97,818 sq mi).
- The capital and the most populous city of Wyoming is Cheyenne.
- In 1925 Nellie Tayloe Ross was elected governor of Wyoming, becoming the nation's first woman governor.
- Wyoming is one of only three states (along with Colorado and Utah) to have only latitudinal and longitudinal, rather than naturally defined, boundaries.
- The flag of Wyoming is a bison (or buffalo) with a seal on it. If you look closely at the seal, you will see that it represents the custom of branding.
- Wyoming is bordered on the north by Montana, on the east by South Dakota and Nebraska, on the south by Colorado, on the southwest by Utah, and on the west by Idaho.
- Wyoming ranks second in wool production, and has over 810,000 sheep.
- Yellowstone is the first official National Park (1872).
- Devils Tower was designated as the first National Monument (1906)
- Wyoming was acquired as part of the Louisiana Purchase in 1803.
- Wyoming was the first state to give women the right to vote.
- Wyoming is the 9th largest state, but has the fewest people (475,000).
- The JCPenney stores were started in Kemmerer.
- Wyoming was chosen as the official state for the Free State Wyoming project; a splinter of the Free State Project. The purpose of the project is to relocate Libertarians to a single state, making it possible to live a "free life".
- Rooster Teeth's web series Red Vs Blue created a freelancer character bearing the state name.
- The largest coal mine in the USA is Black Thunder located near Wright.
- Cody Wyoming is named after William "Buffalo Bill" Cody.
