Montana

Montana is south of Canada, west of North and South Dakota , east of Idaho and north of Wyoming. Nick-named the Treasure State, its biggest attraction is its rugged and pristine beauty. The state is home to two wilderness national parks (Glacier and Yellowstone), two famous explorer routes (Lewis & Clark and the Pez Perce Trail) and speckled with seas of wildflower meadows, fresh water bountiful lakes and streams, big cities, little cities, ghost towns, old gold mines, standing historical remnants and enough wandering buffalo, moose and grizzly bears to make a wildlife photographer's day.

More than 850,000 people live in the state, whose major industry is agriculture, followed closely by tourism. Visitors don't have to venture far to enjoy activities such as fishing, hiking, skiing, wild-river rafting and bike-riding.

The state is divided into six regions: Glacier Country, Gold West Country, Russell Country, Yellowstone Country, Missouri River Country and Custer Country. Although all boast spectacular vistas, the terrain is quite different in each and every "Country" has specific and unique highlights. Flatbed National Wild and Scenic River is found in Glacier Country. Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area is in Custer Country. Gold West Country boasts of two authentically preserved mining camps (Virginia City and Nevada City), and the Big Hole National Battlefield, where the disastrous Nez Perce battle took place. Russell Country offers visitors The Kings Hill National Scenic Byway and an all-Indian rodeo at th Fort Belknap Indian Reservation. Missouri River Country sustains a Charles M. Russell and the UL Bend National Wildlife Refuges, and of course, Yellowstone Country has a piece of the world's famous and first national park.

Helena, a gold strike town, is the state's capital and Billings is its largest city.

Weather is seasonal with freezing temperatures in the winter months. Summer averages are in the 80's.