Wyoming from A-Z

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APRIL 2009

WYOMING FROM A-Z

Equal Rights
Facts about Wyoming for each letter of the alphabet.
Click on highlighted word for more information.

A IS FOR AGRICULTURE & ARCHEOLOGY

The Wyoming Department of AGRICULTURE promotes and enhances agriculture in the state, and there is an Agriculture Day each spring. Sugar beets, beans, corn, and hay are the main agricultural products in Wyoming. Farmers raise cattle for beef and sheep for wool. The State Soil is Wyoming-Forkwood. Over 90 percent of the state is classified rural. Wyoming has 4-H Clubs and chapters of Future Farmers of America. Information about agriculture in Wyoming is provided by The National Agriculture Statistic Service and AG In the Classroom.

September is ARCHAEOLOGY Awareness Month in Wyoming. The state has archaeology events and programs throughout the year. The Goshen & Cody Complexes existed about 11,000 years ago. A Prehistoric Medicine wheel at Big Horn is an ongoing mystery.
B IS FOR BEACHES, BIRDS, BRIDGES, & BYWAYS

Wyoming has BEACHES on the shorelines of lakes and reservoirs, and in State Parks. Sandy Beach is a natural beach in Fremont Lake. Several lakes in Grand Teton National Park have beaches that offer swimming.

A variety of BIRDS are found in Wyoming. Yellowstone National Park has lots of birds. Birds are important for the ecosystems in the state by pollinating plants, dispersing seed, and eating insects. The state has several species of grouse including the sage grouse, pheasants, chukar, Hungarian partridge, and wild turkeys. It also has numerous waterfowl including ducks, geese, whistler swans, and the rare trumpeter swan. The State bird is the western meadowlark. The black �V� on its neck is its most noticeable feature.

Wyoming has over 40 vehicular truss and arch BRIDGES. Most of them are on the list of historic sites. The state has 3 Suspension Bridges, and there is a Covered Bridge in Sheridan County.

Wyoming has many scenic BYWAYS, Backways, and Drives. Several cities have Loop Tours including Cody Sheridan and Upton. Beartooth Highway is called the most beautiful road in America. There are a wide variety of trails including Horse Trails. The state participates in National Trails Day. Wyoming has several Roadside Attractions.
C IS CAPITAL, COMMUNICATIONS, & COUNTIES

Cheyenne is the CAPITAL of Wyoming and is the largest city in the state. It is named after a Native American Tribe. The capitol building is made of gray sandstone granite and looks like the U.S. Capitol building in Washington, D.C. A statue of a bucking bronco and rider is on the grounds of the Capitol and symbolizes the cowboy heritage of the state.

Wyoming has a variety of COMMUNICATIONS including newspapers, radio, television, telephone, and internet. The telephone Area Code for Wyoming is 307. There are Internet Service Providers and Web Cams throughout the state, and the Wyoming Department of Transportation has special webcams.

Wyoming has 23 COUNTIES. Laramie has the largest population, Niobrara has the smallest. Laramie was named for explorer Jacques LaRamie and was the first Trading post in Wyoming. There are many cities, towns, & tourist regions throughout the state. The largest city is Cheyenne and the smallest city is Beulah. The term county is used in 48 of the 50 states for the level of local government below the state itself.
D IS FOR DAMS & DINOSAURS

Many DAMS and canals have been built in Wyoming so that farmers have a way to get water. There are several Reservoirs in Wyoming. The Flaming Gorge Dam created the Flaming Gorge Reservoir and recreation area. Nearly all the power in Wyoming comes from thermal plants using locally mined, low-sulfur coal including the Jim Bridger Power Plant, the Kemmerer plant, and two plants along the North Platte River. Hydroelectric power is produced chiefly as a by-product of federal dams for irrigation, and most of the major hydroelectric plants are on the North Platte River. Wyoming leads the country in using wind power, and Solar Power and Geothermal Power are being investigate.

Evidence of DINOSAURS has been found in Wyoming, and the Triceratops is the State Dinosaur. The Wyoming Dinosaur Center in Thermopolis has one of the largest fossil quarries in the world and has full-sized fossil skeletons of 14 dinosaurs. Visitors help dig for fossils during Dig for a Day. Fossil Butte has the largest deposit of fossilized fish in the world. A variety of fossils have been found in Wyoming. The State Fossil is the Knightia, a kind of fish.
E IS FOR EARTHQUAKES, EDUCATION, & EVENTS

Wyoming has often experienced EARTHQUAKES. The first recorded earthquake in the state occurred in 1894. The most recent earthquake occurred in 2004. The USGS has a special page for kids about earthquakes

Public EDUCATION in Wyoming is under the direction of the State Superintendent of Public Instruction and policies are outlined by the State Board of Education. When Mrs. Estelle Reel Meyer was elected Superindendent of Public Instruction in 1894, she was the first women elected to a statewide position. There are public and private schools, Indian schools, and pre-school development centers. Casper was named for Lt. Casper Collins. Information about schools in Wyoming is provided by School Bug and GreatSchools.

Wyoming has Special EVENTS throughout the year including fairs and festivals and State and County Fairs. The Wyoming Celtic Association promotes Celtic Festivals and Highland Games in the state. An Annual Feast of St. Andrews is held in Jackson Hole and features celtic music, bagpiping, dancing, and food. Wyoming observes Fixed Public Holidays and celebrates other special days.
F IS FOR FISH, FLAG, FOOD, & FORESTS

Wyoming has a wide variety of FISH including 22 species of game fish and 6 varieties of trout. Fish found in warm water lakes include bass, walleye, crappie, perch, sauger, ling, channel catfish and bluegill. Fishing is popular and the state is often called a fisherman's paradise. Wyoming has 2 National Fish Hatcheries - Jackson and Saratoga. The State Fish is the cutthroat trout, and some are on display at the National Aquarium

The Wyoming State FLAG was in1917. The red represents Native Americans in the state and the blood of pioneers. The white represents the goodness in the citizens of the state and the blue rectangle stands for the sky and mountains. The State Seal is in the center of the flag. The Arapho Nation has a flag.

Wyoming has a FOOD festival and a chili-cook-off. The food heritage of the state began with wagon trains carrying prospectors and a few settlers. Since the late 1800s, when the Chinese came to work on the railroads, there has been an Oriental influence on Wyoming's cooking. Wyoming Food Bank of the Rockies works with more than 200 nonprofit hunger-relief programs that provide food and meals for the sick, needy, or ill across the the state.

Wyoming has several National FORESTS. Shoshone National Forest was the first National Forest in the country. Wapiti Ranger Station was the first Ranger Station in the country and is a Historic Landmark.
G IS FOR GEOLOGY, GHOST TOWNS, GLOBAL POSITION

Information about the GEOLOGY of Wyoming is provided by the Geological Survey. The Wyoming geographic information center provides a map about the geology of the state. The University of Wyoming has a Geological Museum.

Wyoming has nearly 100 GHOST TOWNS. Most of them are the result of railroad, coal, and oil industries. Battle has some ruins and an old car, Van Tassel has a few residents, and Gerbo has a few buildings and a cemetery. Gold was discovered in the 1820s and brought enough people to create first a territory and then a state. South Pass, Lewiston, and Atlantic City were built for gold prospectors. Atlantic City is the only one that is not a ghost town, and South Pass is a State Historic Park.

The GLOBAL POSTION of Wyoming is approximately 41-45 degrees north and 104-111 degrees west. The geographic center is Fremont. The highest point is Gannet Peak, and the Belle Fourche River is the lowest point. Geocaching is a high-tech game using a Global Positioning System and there are geocaches throughout the state. NOAA provides information about the topography of Wyoming.
H IS FOR HISTORIC SITES & HISTORY

Wyoming has over a dozen HISTORIC SITES including many forts. Some of the buildings at Fort Laramie have been restored. J.C. Penney Store started in Kemmerer Historic District and is a National Historic Landmark. The National Trust helps protect historic places in Wyoming.

The HISTORY of Wyoming dates back 12,000 years. Among the prehistoric groups were Clovis, Folsom<'a>, and Eden Valley. Recorded history began in 1742. The Bureau of Land Management Wyoming identifies and inventories cultural heritage properties in the state. Wyoming particpates in National History Day
I IS FOR ISLANDS, INDUSTRIES & INSECTS

Wyoming has a variety of INDUSTRIES including mining, chemical products, lumber and wood products, printing and publishing, machinery, and tourism. Mining, particularly oil and natural gas, is the most important industry and ranks the highest with employment in the mining industry for the country. The state is the 2nd in wool production.

Wyoming has nearly every species of insect including grasshoppers, dragonflies, butterflies, and 48,000 colonies of bees. The University of Wyoming has an Insect Museum.

Wyoming has nearly 36 ISLANDS on lakes and streams. Elk Island in Lake Jackson is the largest island in the state.

J IS FOR JAZZ

JAZZ is popular in Wyoming. An annual Jazz Festival is held in Lander. A variety of other music Festivals are held during the year.
K IS FOR KARST & KIDS

Wyoming has KARST including carbonate rock aquifers, and caves. Classic alpine karst exists in the Gros Ventre Range and in the Teton Range. Gypsum karst is in some areas south of Sundance, and most mountain ranges support areas of karst development. Karst Waters Institute provides information about karst waters systems, and the US Geological Survey provides information about carbonate-rock aquifers. Sinks Canyon State Park has karst, caves, and canyons. Kane Cave has karst. Horsethief Cave System is the longest cave in Wyoming. Great Expectations has the largest room and is the second longest cave in the state. Columbine Crawl Cave is the deepest room within a cave in the state. Hell's Half Acre has caverns, crevices, and rock towers.

Many aspects of life in Wyoming focus on KIDS and the state has a special Kids Page. A lot of information about the state can be found at Wyoming 4Kids. Yellowstone National Park has activities and games Just for Kids!. There are special Summer Camps for Kids, and a Kids Fishing Day is an annual event in Pinedale.
L IS FOR LAKES & LIBRARIES

Wyoming has several LAKES. The major lakes are Yellowstone which is the largest and deepest natural lake in the state, Jackson the second largest, and Big Horn. Other large lakes include DeSenet (sp) and Shoshone. Lakes created by reservoirs include Glendo, Bighorn, Boysen, Flaming Gorge, Seminole, Alcova, and Keyhole.

Public LIBRARIES and Academic Libraries are located throughout Wyoming. The Laramie County Public Library System was the first county public library in the country. The State Library is in Cheyenne.
M IS FOR MILITARY, MINERALS, MOUNTAINS & MUSEUMS

Wyoming has one MILITARY installation - F.E. Warren Air Force Base. It is the oldest continuously active military installation in the Air Force. The Wyoming National Guard was organized in 1870 and is composed of several types of army units. The Army Corps of Engineers has projects in Wyoming.

Several major MINERALS are found in Wyoming. The state is one of the largest producers of coal, natural gas, and crude oil in the country. Wyoming has the largest sodium carbonate deposits in the world and the second largest uranium deposits in the country. Precious stones found in the state include diamonds, agate, ruby, jasper, bloodstone, and star sapphire. The state Gemstone is Jade. The Wyoming Geological Survey provides promotes beneficial and sound use of geologic, mineral, and energy resources in the state.

Wyoming has many MOUNTAINSincluding the Grand Tetons, Bridge Mountains, Green Mountains, Laramie Mountains, and the Granite Mountains which are the tallest in the state. The Great Plains meets the Rocky Mountains in Wyoming. Mountain ranges in Wyoming in the northwest are the Absaroka, Owl Creek, Wyoming, Gros Ventre, Wind River, and Teton; in the north central the Big Horns; in the northeast the Black Hills; and in the south the Laramie, Medicine Bow, and Sierra Madre mountain ranges.

Wyoming has MUSEUMS and historical, cultural, and interpretive centers. Highlights of the State Museum in Cheyenne include a coal exhibit, a full-sized camptosaurus dinosaur fossil, and hands-on history rooms for children. The Cheyenne Frontier Old West Museum has a collection of more than 100 old fashioned horse-drawn carriages. Tours are given at the Historic Governors Mansion that was occupied from 1905-1976 when a new mansion was built.
N IS FOR NAME & NATIVE AMERICANS

The NAME Wyoming is based on an Indian word meaning large prairie place.The official nickname is "The Equality State". It is also called "The Sagebrush State" because of the wild sage that is prevalent in some sections of the state". Wyoming officially adopted a cowboy on a bucking horse as a symbol of the state so it is often called "The Cowboy State". The nickname "Big Wyoming" refers to the size of the state. The name "The Wonderland of America" is a promotional commentary that pays homage to the rugged natural beauty of Wyoming where the Great Plains meets the Rocky Mountains. Yellowstone was named after a Native American word which means "rock yellow river". An area of Wyoming is called the Red Desert and is one of the largest cold deserts in the country.

NATIVE AMERICANS have made their home Wyoming for thousands of years including Clovis and Folsom called Paleo-Indians. Several Indian Tribes have also made Wyoming their home including the Shoshone, Cheyenne, Crow, Gros Ventre, Kiowa, Nez Perce, Sioux, The Sheep Eater, Pawnee, and Ute. Wind River Reservation is now home to Northern Arapaho and Eastern Band of Shoshone and is the 3rd largest reservation in the country. During the summer, Sacred dances known as Sun Dance are performed, and there are also powwows and rodeos. All-American Indian Days are celebrated in Sheridan and attended by Native American representatives from all over the country.
O IS FOR OBSERVATORIES & OLD WEST

Wyoming has 3 OBSERVATORIES including Wyoming Infrared Observatory, Red Buttes Observatory, and Star Observatory. There are several Astronomy Clubs in Wyoming. The Cheyenne Astronomical Society has observing sessions and an annual star party. The Laramie Astronomical Society and Space Observers share knowledge and wonders of the universe. Some clubs and organization celebrate Astronomy Day.

Wyoming is part of the OLD WEST. The Cheyenne Frontier Days is a yearly celebration of the Old West and the largest outdoor rodeo in the world. The foothills of the Wind River Mountains in central Wyoming are dotted with what remains of the gold rush that hit the area in 1867. Wyoming sits along several major pioneer trails and roads such as the Oregon Trail, the Pony Express route, the Overland Trail, and the Bozeman Trail. As a consequence the United States Army established major military posts along these pioneer travel routes, which resulted in the growth of service and "good-times" towns as well. Jackson Hole has a Wild West Show every day in the summer. Cody, an Old West Town, was named after "Buffalo Bill Cody" and the main attraction is the Buffalo Bill Historical Center.
P IS FOR PARKS & PEOPLE

Wyoming has many PARKS including National Parks, State Parks, and County Parks. National Parks are Grand Teton and Yellowstone. Yellowstone was the first National Park in the country and has over 200 active geysers including the famous Old Faithful. The state has two National Monuments - Devils Tower and Fossil Butte. Devils Tower was the first National Monument in the country. Fossil Butte has the largest deposit of fossilized fish in the world. The Wyoming Territorial Park has tours of the former Territorial Prison, and a Frontier Town which reenacts daily lives of early pioneers. Hot Springs State Park is the site of the largest mineral hot springs in the world.

Wyoming has nearly 500,000 PEOPLE and is the least populated state. Residents are called Wyomingites. Several famous people have called Wyoming their home including Dick Cheney, Vice-President of the United States.
Q IS FOR QUARTER, QUILTING, & QUIZ

The United States Mint issued a QUARTER for each state in the order that it became part of the Union. Wyoming became a State on July 10, 1890, and a quarter was issued for it in the year 2007. The State Coin is the Golden Dollar. The U.S. Mint has a special Kids Page.

QUILTING is popular in Wyoming and there are Quilt Guilds throughout the state. Wyoming also has a couple of Weaving Guilds.

Take a QUIZ about Wyoming, and a map quiz about the state.
R IS FOR REGIONS, REPTILES, & RIVERS

Wyoming is the 9th largest state in size and has 4 geographic REGIONS - Great Plains, Mountain, Intermountain Basins, and Yellowstone Area.

A variety of REPTILES are found in Wyoming including turtles, lizards, and snakes. The State Reptile is the Horned Toad.

Wyoming has many RIVERS. They are divided by the Continental Divide. Rivers on the east flow to the Missouri River Basin to the Atlantic Ocean, and rivers on the west flow through the Columbia and Colorado River Basins to the Pacific Ocean. Clarks Fork of the Yellowstone River is designated a wild and scenic river.
S IS FOR SPORTS

Wyoming has all SPORTS including skiing, soccer, basketball, and golf. Several track and field events are held each year. The state has public and private Golf Courses. The State Sport is the Rodeo. Johnson County has an annual Fair and Rodeo. Cheyenne and Sheridan have professional rodeos. Sheridan was named for General Phil Sheridan. T IS FOR TREE & TRANSPORTATION

The Plains Cottonwood is the State TREE. In 1990 a Plains Cottonwood in Albany County was named the largest cottonwood in the world. The Indian paintbrush is the State FLOWER.

Wyoming has several types of public TRANSPORTATION. The Wyoming Department of Transportation is in charge of transportation in the state and has an Adopt-a-Highway Program. The Federal Highway Administration provides information about traffic and road closures in Wyoming. Jackson Airport is the only airport within a state park. The license plates in Wyoming have featured a bucking bronco since 1936. Holliday Park in downtown Cheyenne is home to "Big Boy 4004" one of the largest steam locomotives in the world. To celebrate its 50th birthday in 2002, Matchbox cars issued a vehicle for each state in the order in which it was admitted into the Union. The vehicle for Wyoming was the Truck Camper.
U IS FOR UNIVERSITY & USS WYOMING

Wyoming has a UNIVERSITY and many Colleges. The University of Wyoming was established by the Territorial Legislature in 1886. It is located in Laramie and maintains the University of Wyoming Casper College Center, 9 outreach educations centers, and Cooperative Extension Service Centers including one on the Wind River Indian Reservation. The state has 7 community colleges.

Four ships of the United States Navy have been name USS Wyoming. The 1st USS Wyoming was named in honor of a valley in Pennsylvania the others in honor of the state of Wyoming. The 2nd USS Wyoming (BM-10) was renamed Cheyenne. The 3rd USS Wyoming Battleship #32 later BB-32 and A6-17 participated in World War II. The 4th USS Wyoming is the 17th submarine in the Ohio Class.
V IS FOR VEGETATION, VOLCANOES, & VOTE

Wyoming has a variety of VEGETATION including many rare plants. Natural vegetation in the Wyoming and Bighorn basins is dominated by sagebrush and greasewood. Short grasses, primarily grama and buffalo grass, cover the uncultivated areas of the Great Plains. The Wyoming Native Plant Society encourages the appreciation and conservation of native plants in the state. Wyoming is part of the USGS-NPS Vegetation Mapping Program. The Nature Conservancy helps preserve the land in Wyoming.

There is evidence of VOLCANOES having existed in Wyoming. Devils Tower National Monument was formed from the cone of an ancient volcano. The Leucite Hills were active volcanoes about 2 million years ago. They are unique in that the volcanic material is similar to material that has produced large quantities of diamonds in Western Australia. Yellowstone Volcano Observatory is the largest volcanic observatory monitoring system in North America.

Wyoming was the first state where women had the right to VOTE. It is among several states that have the highest percentage turnout of eligible voters in national and state elections. In 1924, Nellie Tayloe Ross became the first female governor in the United StateS.
W IS FOR WATERFALLS, WEATHER & WILDLIFE

Wyoming has many WATERFALLS. Many of them are in Yellowstone National Park. There is an Interpretive Center at Shell Falls. There are 2 waterfalls in the BigHorn National Forest.

The WEATHER in Wyoming is varied because of its Topography which ranges from high mountains to valleys to wide open plains. It is usually categorized as semiarid. Tall mountains trap rainfall and leave the eastern areas dry. Some place in the high mountains have snow year-round. Because of its high altitude, Wyoming has the second coolest climate in the country. The Wyoming State Climatologist and NOAA provide up-to-date weather information. The Environmental Protection Agency provides information about the effect of Global Warming in Wyoming.

Wyoming has a variety of WILDLIFE. The Bison is the State Mammal. More than 3,000 Elk roam parts of the state, and the single largest elk herd in the world is found in Wyoming. There is a National Elk Refuge near Jackson. The state has the largest antelope population and one of the largest wild-horse herds in the country. Wyoming is in the Mountain Prairie Region of the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Program and has 7 National Wildlife Refuges. The Wyoming Game and Fish Department dates back to the 1890s and is funded mainly from licenses to hunters and fishers. The Grizzly Discovery Center has bears and a wolf pack. The state has several endangered species. Wyoming is part of the Wildlife Protection Program.
X IS FOR XMAS

XMAS is the abbreviation for Christmas which is celebrated in Wyoming much as it is in the rest of the country and around the world. The First Christmas Message is found in Wyoming. Cheyenne has a Christmas Parade, Craft Show and Concert. The National Christmas Tree Association has information about Christmas trees.
Y IS FOR YMCA & YOUTH HOSTELS

YMCA organizations are located throughout Wyoming. Buffalo is the smallest city in the country to have a YMCA.

Wyoming has Youth Hostels in Cheyenne, Jackson Hole, and Lovell. The state also has Elderhostel Programs
Z IS FOR ZIP CODES & ZONE

The use of postal ZIP CODES began in 1963. Zip codes in Wyoming start with the number 8. The mailing code is WY.

Wyoming is in the Mountain Time ZONE. The state is in the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 2a to 5a.
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