Enjoy the Natural Diversity of Utah

Utah, nicknamed the "Beehive State," was the 45th state admitted to the Union, on January 4, 1896. Prior to statehood, it was known as the Utah Territory. Utah shares a border with six other states: Arizona, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, and Wyoming. The state's name, which comes from the Native American Ute language, translates to "people of the mountains." The state flower of Utah is the Sego Lily, a bulbous perennial endemic to the Western United States.

The population of Utah is approximately 2.7 million. It is reported to be the fastest growing state in the Union. Although Utah covers an expanse of 84,889 square miles, approximately 80% of the population resides along the Wasatch Front, which covers only 4.3 per cent of the state's total area.

Famous for its natural diversity, Utah is a popular destination for geographical tourism. The state is home to three distinct geological regions: the Great Basin, the Colorado Plateau, and the Rocky Mountains. The southeastern Colorado Plateau region is sandstone, which, over time, has been sculpted by the Colorado River and its tributaries, as well as wind and rain. This natural erosion has created many distinct geological features, such as the canyons and mesas commonly seen in this region. Western Utah, home to the Great Basin, is mostly desert and small mountain ranges. The Great Basin features the remnants of the ancient freshwater Lake Bonneville, including Sevier Lake, Rush Lake, Utah Lake, and the Great Salt Lake. The northeastern area of the state is home to the Uinta Mountains, the only range in the Rocky Mountains running east to west. King's Peak, the highest point in Utah at 13,528 feet, lies within this range.

Utah has several major industries, including mining, salt production and cattle ranching, but tourism also plays a major role in the state's economy. With prime conditions for outdoor activities ranging from skiing to mountain biking, Utah is a popular year-round destination for outdoor enthusiasts. Most of the state's ski resorts are located in the northern Wasatch Range, near Salt Lake, Ogden, and Provo. The proximity of these resorts to a big city and an International Airport makes them especially popular. In southern Utah, the Moab region's natural beauty and challenging bike trails are a big draw for tourists and athletes alike.