"Montana" is a derivation of the Latin word "montaanus" and Spanish term "montaña", both mean "mountainous." Never mind if 60% of the state is dominated by miles and miles and miles of the Great Plains; there are approximately 77 towering mountain ranges of the northern Rocky Mountains anyway that tend to overshadow the never-ending plains.

Montana witnessed several historical "lasts." It was the location of the final battles of the Nez Perce Wars. The land was also the scene of the Native Americans' last effort to keep their land. Until today, many Native American nations prefer to call Montana their home. True enough, Montana has more Native American Indian reservations than any other state: Fort Peck, Fort Belknap, Northern Cheyenne, Crow, Rocky Boys, Blackfeet, and Flathead.

The state capital is Helena while the largest city is Billings with a metro area of over 100,000. Meanwhile, Montana owns the world's longest undefended border, 545 mile (877 km) in the north with the Canadian provinces of British Columbia, Alberta and Saskatchewan, more provinces than any other state.

Tourism is an important business as three of the five entrances to Yellowstone National Park are in Montana. The inviting caption of Montana’s attraction is "fish, wildlife and parks" bannered by such sites as the Glacier National Park - with majestic peaks shaped by massive glacial ice.

The state nickname is the "Treasure State" for Montana's rich mineral reserves. The economic worth provided by mining is even extended to the state's motto "Oro y Plata," Spanish for gold and silver.

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