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Researched by Marshal N.
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The first people came to Utah 12,000 years ago. They were Native Americans. Then in 1847, about 156 years ago, Mormons came to the land and named their state Utah; their leader was Brigham Young. He became the leader because the two brothers named Joseph and Hurum Smith were murdered. Utah was the 45th state to be admitted to the U.S.A. on January 4, 1856. Utah also had an Indian war with Ute chief Walker. The war was called the Walker War. The present governor in Utah is Michael O. Leavitt.
Utah’s state capital is Salt Lake City. The major cities are Provo, Sandy City, Orem, and Ogden. They also have many different kinds of religions like Roman Catholics, Indians, Mormons, Lutherans, Methodists, and Presbyterians.
The land is dry and rocky. Utah is 33% dessert, and 30% forest. The people of Utah mostly live in metropolitan areas. In 1970-1980 the population of Utah grew by 37.9%, then from 1980-1990 the population grew by 17.9% more.
Utah is about 340 miles from north to south and 275 miles from east to west. Utah has 84,904 square miles. The state’s population is currently about 2,233,000 according to the 2000 census. Utah ranked 34th for highest population. The Salt Lake is about 1,700 square miles. The Salt Lake desert is the driest place in Utah.
The summers are long and hot. Winters are short and cold. In Utah the July temperature is around 73° F (23°C). The January temperature is around 25° F (-4°C). Mountains have an average temperature that is cooler and the higher you go, the cooler it gets. In Utah, temperatures dip below freezing between November and April.
Utah is called the "Beehive State." Utah’s state animal is the rocky mountain elk. The state bird is the California seagull. The state flower is the sego lily. The state tree is the blue spruce. The state song is "Utah, We Love You." Utah’s first school was a tent. Some important crops in Utah are beef cattle, milk, hay, wheat, barley, and corn. Some of the industries are mining minerals like copper and coal and drilling for valuable oil and natural gas. Utah has the highest birth rate in the nation. Utah is about the 11th largest state. Utah’s mountain region includes Wastach and Unita ranges. Utah has 3,000 square miles of water.
Small animals in Utah are badgers, foxes, martens, muskrats, rabbits, ringtails, skunks, and weasels. The larger animals are black bears, bobcats, coyotes, and mountain lions. The most common game animal is the mule deer. The common game birds are duck, geese, grouse, pheasants, and quail. Utah has reptiles, too, like lizards, toads, tortoises, and many different kinds of snakes. The most common fish is the trout. There are other fish found in Utah like bass, catfish, graylings, perch, and whitefish.
Small groups of Indians hunted for rabbits, rodents, and insects.
Sometimes other groups would join with one another and hunt for antelope
and sheep. Two cultures, Fremont and Arizona were known for rock
art. Every place they went they would paint or chip on rocks.
In the late 1200’s both tribes disappeared.
Utah is a state that is very dry, it’s mostly a dessert, but it’s a
nice place to stay. There is some pretty good entertainment. The
state also has a lot of animals too.
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