UTAH FROM A TO Z

C IS FOR CAPITAL, COMMUNICATIONS, & COUNTIES

• The CAPITAL of Utah is Salt Lake City which has served successively as the capital of the Provisional State of Deseret, the Territory of Utah, and the 45th state.

• All forms of COMMUNICATIONS are available throughout Utah including newspapers, magazines, radio, television, telephone, and Internet. The telephone area codes are 801 and 385. There are many Web Cams , and Internet service is available throughout the state.

• Utah has 29 COUNTIES. The largest county is San Juan & Davis is the smallest county. Salt Lake County has the largest population & Daggett has the smallest. The term county is the level of local government below the state itself.

• Utah has hundreds of DAMS. Some dams are hydroelectric . The United States Society on Dams is involved in the maintenance, construction, operation, and safety of dams. The US Department of Reclamation has projects in Utah, and the state has a Dam Safety Program. Alternate forms of energy are being investigated including Solar Power and Wind Power.

• The State Folk Dance is the Square Dance. The State Song is "Utah, This is the Place". The State Hymn is "Utah, We Love Thee".

• Utah is one of the best places in the world to discover dinosaurs. A variety of fossils have been found in the state. In 2008 on federal land near Hanksville paleontologists say they unearthed at least 2 meat-eating dinosaurs, a probable Stegosaurus, and 4 sauropods. The State Fossil is Allosaurus.

• Utah often esperiences EARTHQUAKES. The first recorded quake occurred in 1899, the largest quake in 1934, and the most recent in 2008. FEMA provides information about EARTHQUAKES.

• The Department of EDUCATION oversees public education in Utah. It is provided free and is compulsory for any child age 6 to 18. There are several Charter Schools. The State also has private schools that are required to comply with state standards and regulations. Information about schools is available from GreatSchools and SchoolBug.

• A variety of EVENTS and festivals & celebrations are held throughout Utah during the year. Utah Arts Festival is held in Salt Lake City and the Kimball Arts Festival is held in Park City. The state celebrates Pioneer Day and observes State & Federal Holidays.

• Many species of FISH are found in the lakes & rivers of Utah, and fishing is a popular activity. The State Fish is the Bonneville Cutthroat Trout. The Great Salt Lake is too salty for any fish. Utah has 2 National Fish Hatcheries - Ouray and Jones Hole. There are also many state Fish Hatcheries.

• The Utah State FLAG was adopted in 1913 and consists of the State Seal encircled in a golden circle on a background of dark navy blue. Some counties have a flag including Beaver and Box Elderand Salt Lake County, and Summit County. The Cache County Sherrif has a flag. There are also some Minicipal Flags. The Paiute and Ute Tribes have a flag. The State Motto is "Industry".

• Utah has 16 National Forests. The Blue Spruce is the State Tree. Utah has many trees on the National Registery of Big Trees.

• The GEOLOGY of Utah is quite varied with many geological formations. The Utah Geological Survey has programs in Utah and provides information about geology in the state. Mining is an important part of the economy. Several minerals are mined in the state including lead, zinc, uranium, coal, oil and gas, andmagnesium. Silver and gold are also mined. The State Mineral is copper. Eighteen meterioites have beem found in Utah. Several gemstones are found in the state. The State gemstone is the Topaz, and the State Rock is coal. The Department of Geology & Minerals Industry monitors the production of oil & gas in the state.

• Because of its mining history, Utah has many GHOST TOWNS. The town of Newhouse has dozens of ruined buildings. In Sego the Stone Company Store, boarding house, and many foundations remain. In Argyle buildings and walls still stand.

• The GLOBAL POSITION of Utah is approximately 37 degrees north and 109 degrees south. The geographic center is in Sanpete County. Utah is part of the 4 corners region.The highest place is Kings Peak and the lowest is Beaver Dam Wash. NOAA provides information about the topography of the state. Geocaching is a popular game using a global positioning finder, and there are many geocaches in Utah.

• Many HISTORIC SITES in Utah are on the National Register of Historic Places. The National Trust helps protect historic places in the state. The state has

• The HISTORY of Utah dates back thousands of years. Francisco Vasquez de Coronado may have crossed into what is now southern Utah in 1540, when he was seeking the legendary C�bola. The state participates in National History Day.

• Utah has a variety of INDUSTRIES. The major major industries are mining, cattle ranching, salt production and government srevices. Tourism is also a major industry and is known for its year-round outdoor activities. In eastern Utah petroleum production is the major industry. Trade Shows are held throughout the year.

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  A wide variety of INSECTS are found in Utah including many species of butterflies & moths. The state has a chapter of the North America Butterfly Association and an Odonota (Dragonfly) Society. The Utah Lepigoperists's Society is dedicated to the study of Lepidoptera in the state. The official State Insect is the honeybee

• Utah has many ISLANDS in lakes and in reservoirs. The Great Salt Lake has 10 islands and Antelope Island is the largest

• JAZZ Festivals are held in several places throughout Utah. There are several Jazz Clubs in Salt Lake City . Many other musical events are held each year. Many cities have Opera Companies. The Utah Festival Opera is in Logan. Bands & Orchestras.

Utah has KARST and caves including Show Caves. The Karst Waters Institute provides information about karst. The National Speleological Society has chapters in the state that provide information about caving. The National Park Service has a Cave and Karst Program.
• Many aspects of life in Utah focus on KIDS. There is a Wildlife Program for kids, and the library has a kids page. The Department of Fish & Wildlife has a Kids Page about wildlife in the state. NOAA has a Kids Page about the weather. AG in the Classroom has a Kids Page about agriculture in the state. The National Agriculture Statistic Service has a Kids Page about agriculture.

• Utah has many LAKES and reservoirs. The Great Salt Lake is the largest salt lake in the Western Hemisphere Utah Lake is the largest natural freshwater lake in the state. There are also many rivers and streams

• Public, Academic, & Special LIBRARIES are located throughout Utah. The Utah Academica Consortium proviede access to many libraries. Most of them have internet access & special programs, and some have bookmobiles. The State Library is in Salt Lake City.

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  Utah has 1 MILITARY installation - Hill Air Force Base>/a>. The Dugway Proving Ground is a range and testing facility. The Utah National Guard consists of both army and air and maintains 30 armories and 27 communities. Utah has had several Forts including - Fort Douglas and Fort Duchesne. In 1849 Fort Utah was established and was the original settlement at Provo. Fort Pearce is National Historic Site.

• Utah has many MOUNTAINS, ranges, peaks, buttes, & cliffs. Boulder Mountain makes up half of the Aquarius Plateau of South Central Utah. The top of the mountain has many lakes. Kaiparowits Plateau is a high altitude landform. The sandstone layers have become a unique source of fossilized remains of the Late Cretaceous Period

• Many MUSEUMS are located throughout Utah including Art Museums and Historical Museums. The Childrens Museum is an interactive hands-on museum in downtown Salt Lake City. The Hill Aerospace Museum near Ogden is a U.S. Air Force Museum.

The name Utah is derived from the Ute Indian language, meaning "people of the mountains. Utah is the nicknamed the "Beehive State" and the "Dairyland State".
• The first residents of Utah were several NATIVE AMERICAN tribes. The Ute Tribe lives primarily in Utah. There is a tribal reservation in the northeast part of the state. Many Pow Wows are held during the year.

• Utah has many OBSERVATORIES. The state also has planetariums. Most offer classes as well as programs for the general public. Utah also has several astronomical societies. Many places observe Astronomy Day.

Utah has a wide variety of PARKS. There are several National Parks and many State Parks. The state also has Theme Parks.
• Utah has a POPULATION of nearly 3 million people. Many well-known people have called Utah their home.

• A QUARTER was issued by the U.S. Mint for each state according to its admission date. Utah was admitted to the union in 1896 and a quarter was issued in its honor in 2007. The U.S. Mint has a special Kids Page.

• QUILTING is popular in Utah and Quilt Guilds are located throughout the state. There are also Spinning Guilds.
• Take a QUIZ about Utah 1.map quiz 2.Trivia quiz

• Utah is home to many species of REPTILES and amphibians including frogs, toads, snakes, lizards, and turtles. Some snakes are poisonous.

• Utah has 5 Major RIVERS - Green, Colorado, Jordan, Bear & Virgin. The Jordan River has white-water rafting. The American Rivers is an organization that protects and restores river systems in the country.

• Utah offers a wide variety of SPORTS and has many sports teams including college, high school, league, & professional. The state has many golf courses. Skiing is a popular sport and there are many Ski Resorts. It also has Auto Race Tracks and Horse and Dog Race Tracks. Many great sports figures have come from the state.

• Utah has a State TARTAN and celebrates National Tartan Day. Several Scottish Events are held during the year.

• Utah has many types of TRAILS including horse and mule trails and celebrates National Trails Day. The state has many National and State Scenic Byways and Roadside Attractions.

• Utah has many forms of TRANSPORTATION. The State Department of Transportation maintains highways, bridges, tunnels, and has an Adopt-A-Highway Program. The Federal Highway Administration provides information on traffic and road closures in Utah. Personalized license plates are available. To celebrates its 50th birthday, Matchbox cars issued a car for each state in the order in which it was admitted into the union. The car for Utah was the Ford Explorer Sport Trac.

• Utah has public and private UNIVERSITIES and Colleges. It also has Community and Technical Colleges.

• Three United States Naval ships have been named U.S.S. Utah. Two ships have borne the name USS Salt Lake City. Many ships have been named in honor of people and places in Utah.

• Utah has a variety of VEGETATION and is home to thousands of Native Plants. The State Flower is the Sego Lily. The State Grass is Indian Rice Grass. The Nature Conservancy helps preserve the land in Utah.

• Utah has 3 types of VOLCANOES. The Federal Emergency Management Agency has information about volcanoes.

• Utah has many WATERFALLS . The Lower Calf Creek Falls is one of the highest.

• Utah experiences a wide variety of WEATHER. NOAA provides information about the climate in the state. The Utah Climate Center facilitates access to climate data and information. The Environmental Protection Agency provides information about climate change.

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  Utah has a great diversity of WILDLIFE and many Wildlife Refuges and Wildlife Rehabilitators. Some species of wildlife are endangered. The State Animal is the Rocky Mountain Elk. The Nature Conservancy protects lands & water needed for plants & animals to survive. The state has Wildlife Viewing Areas. Utah participates in the Wildlife Protection Program.

• XMAS is the common abbreviation for Christmas and it is celebrated in Utah much like the rest of the country and around the world. The National Christmas Tree Association has information about Christmas trees.

• YMCA organizations are located throughout Utah.

• There are several YOUTH HOSTELS in Utah. The state also Elder Hostels.

• The use of ZIP CODES began in 1963. Zip codes in Utah all start with the number 8.

• Utah is in the Mountain Time ZONE. Utah is in several plant hardiness zones. Any plant that grows in zone 5 or lower will probably survive.

• Utah has 3 zoos. At the Wild Kingdom Train Zoo animals can be seen when riding the train or walking the paths. The Hogle Zoo has educational programs and many animals. The Willow Park Zoo has animals, birds, fish and reptiles. Barnyard Buddies Petting Zoo & Pony Rides is in Gardner Village.

©2008