The least populous state, Wyoming has an estimated population of 509,295 people. Although the eastern third of the state is within the Great Plains, the majority is dominated by numerous distinct mountain ranges and rangelands. Known as “The Cowboy State” not only does Wyoming’s history and culture revolve around the cowboy world, but the very skills, values and strengths of the cowboy are still celebrated throughout Wyoming.
      Wyoming’s history is one of native peoples and an emigrant frontier. There are many historic sites across Wyoming that remind visitors of a past that is still relevant to this day. The National Historic Trails Interpretive Center in Casper shows a glimpse of life on the emigrant trails that went through Wyoming. There are a number of old military forts throughout the state as well as old western towns, an old Territorial Prison, battlefields and other places drenched with history.
      Wyoming is home to rodeo, America’s original sport, and there is a rodeo nearly every day and night somewhere in Wyoming from June to Labor Day. Two of the most important rodeos are Cheyenne’s Frontier Days and Cody’s Nite Rodeo. One of the most distinct cultural highlights of Wyoming is the popular Cowboy Poetry Gatherings. Born out of long, lonely rides out on the range and nights spent together around flickering campfires, the art of cowboy poetry continues to thrive with a number of events throughout the year.


      The Great Plains meet the Rocky Mountains in Wyoming. The state is a great plateau broken by a number of important mountain ranges. In the northwest are the Absaroka, the Owl Creek, Wyoming, Gros Ventre, Wind River and the Teton ranges. In the north central are the Big Horns; in the northeast, the Black Hills; and in the southern portion of Wyoming, the Laramie, Medicine Bow and Sierra Madre ranges.

Wyoming is generally considered an arid state with much of the land receiving less than 10 inches of rainfall per year. Consequently, the land supports few opportunities for farming. Ranching, however, is widespread, especially in areas near the numerous mountain chains.
      According to the 2004 U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis report, Wyoming’s gross state product was $24.3 billion. The per capita personal income was $34,306 in 2004. Wyoming’s unemployment rate for 2002 was approximately 4.2 percent which was significantly lower than the national average of 5.8 percent. The tourism industry accounts for over $2 billion in revenue for the state.
      In 2002, over six million people visited Wyoming’s national parks and monuments. The key tourist attractions in Wyoming include Grand Teton National Park, Yellowstone National Park, with its gurgling geysers, Devil’s Tower National Monument, and Fossil Butte National Monument. Each year Yellowstone National Park receives three million visitors.