MontanaMontanaFive Themes of GeographyFive Themes of Geography

Leesa HalcroLeesa HalcroPeriod 10Period 10

4/21/20134/21/2013

Absolute LocationAbsolute Location

•Montana lies at46.9048°N,and

110.3261°W http://dev.maxmind.com/geoip/legacy/codes/state_latlon/

Relative LocationRelative Location• Montana is bounded on the north by three

Canadian provinces—Saskatchewan, Alberta, and British Columbia. On the west

and southwest is Idaho. Wyoming is to the south. North Dakota and South Dakota

lie to the east.

"Montana." Britannica School. Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., 2014. Web. 7 Nov. 2014. <http://school.eb.com/levels/middle/article/275913#204856.toc>.

Map of MontanaMap of Montana

PLACEPLACE• Physical Characteristics:

– Bodies of water: Kootenai River, Clark Fork, Missouri River, Yellowstone River, Musselshell River, Marias River, Sun RIver, and Milk River.

– Landforms: The main ranges of the Rocky Mountains cross western Montana in a northwest-southeast direction. The Lewis Range, Cabinet Mountains, Mission Range, and Bitterroot Range, Little Belt mountains Absaroka Range are in Montana as well.

– Climate: West of the mountains the climate is modified by winds from the Pacific Ocean. Severe winter temperatures of the eastern part are sometimes modified by warm Chinook winds from the eastern slopes of the Rockies. Cold waves can push temperatures to –50° F (–45° C) in some areas. Temperatures rise above 90° F (32° C) in only a few regions.

"Montana." Britannica School. Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., 2014. Web. 7 Nov. 2014. <http://school.eb.com/levels/middle/article/275913#9275913.toc>.

PLACEPLACE

• Human Characteristics– Population: 974,989 – Ethnic groups: Most Montanans can trace their ancestry to

western Europe. But the state does have a relatively large Native American population

– Government: • Capital: Helena

• Governor: Brian Schweitzer (Democrat) • U.S. Senators: 2   Max Baucus (Democrat)    Jon Tester (Democrat)

Montana." CultureGrams States Edition. ProQuest, 2014. Web. 7 Nov 2014. http://online.culturegrams.com/states/citations.php?cit_type=text&cit_title=Montana

RegionRegion

• Functional:– Trade Routes: Principal routes follow the Missouri, Yellowstone,

and Clark Fork rivers. Three interstate highways connect the major cities and provide prime north-south and east-west routes across the state.

– Metropolitan cities: None, but the commercial airports are at Billings, Great Falls, and Missoula.

– Major river drainage: Montana's rivers drain to the sea by way of three major basins-westward in the Columbia basin to the Pacific Ocean, eastward in the Missouri-Mississippi basin to the Gulf of Mexico, and northward in the Saskatchewan-Nelson basin to Hudson Bay.

Facts On File, Inc. "Montana: Geography Overview." World Geography and Culture Online. Facts On File, Inc. Web. 7 Nov. 2014. <http://www.fofweb.com/activelink2.asp?ItemID=WE39&Geography.aspx&iPin= sta026&SingleRecord=True>.

RegionRegion• Perceptual

• There are many groups in Montana that each identify themselves differently. The Native American population is significant and each tribe holds several ceremonies each year to keep in touch with their cultural roots. Irish Roman Catholics make up the largest immigrant group to arrive in Montana, but Protestants, Lutherans, and Methodists also figure largely in the population's make-up. All groups remain closely tied to their cultural roots.

"Montana: People and Culture." World Geography and Culture Online. Facts On File, Inc. Web. 7 Nov. 2014. <http://www.fofweb.com/activelink2.asp?ItemID=WE39&Society.aspx&iPin= sta026&SingleRecord=True>.

RegionRegion

• Formal• Montana’s greatest east–west distance is 556

miles. Its greatest north–south distance is 322 miles in the west and 280 miles in the east. The total area is 147,046 square miles including 1,490 square miles of inland water surface.

•"Montana: At-A-Glance." World Geography and Culture Online. Facts On File, Inc. Web. 7 Nov. 2014. <http://www.fofweb.com/activelink2.asp?ItemID=WE39&State.aspx&iPin= sta026&SingleRecord=True>.

Human Environment InteractionHuman Environment Interaction• People have greatly changed the land in

Montana. The land has been altered by farming, mining, and logging. Coal, oil, natural gas, copper, silver, and gold have all been mined. Major crops include barley, oats, wheat, and sugar beets. Montanans have also harvested the state’s large forestlands, producing lumber, plywood, and paper products.

Facts On File, Inc. "Montana: Economy." World Geography and Culture Online. Facts On File, Inc. Web. 7 Nov. 2014. <http://www.fofweb.com/activelink2.asp?ItemID=WE39&Society.aspx&iPin= sta026&SingleRecord=True>.

MovementMovement• People- Most Montanans have ancestors from western Europe.

There is also a significant number of Native Americans who have been forced onto reservations. Most of Native Americans live on one of the seven reservations.

• Goods-The early trappers and fur traders used canoes and horses as their chief means of transportation. After 1859, the first steamboats work their way up the Missouri River. Than, wagon trains arrived in Montana. Today the state is served by several major railroads, airlines, and highways

• Ideas- Ideas are drawn from Native American culture and Western European cultures and still exist today.

"Montana: People and Culture." World Geography and Culture Online. Facts On File, Inc. Web. 7 Nov. 2014. <http://www.fofweb.com/activelink2.asp?ItemID=WE39&Society.aspx&iPin= sta026&SingleRecord=True>.

Interesting FactsInteresting Facts• Famous People:

Sitting Bull — Sioux leaderDana Carvey — ComedianEvel Knievel — Motorcycle daredevilJeanette Rankin — First woman to serve in the U.S. House of RepresentativesCharles M. Russell — Old West artist

Famous Places:Glacier National Park

State Symbols: Songs: “Montana Melody” and “Montana”Fish: Blackspotted cutthroat troutFossil: Duck-billed dinosaurButterfly: Mourning cloakGemstones: Sapphire and agateGrass: Bluebunch wheatgrass

"Montana." Britannica School. Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., 2014. Web. 7 Nov. 2014. <http://school.eb.com/levels/middle/article/275913#>.

Snaps of MontanaSnaps of Montana

License PlateLicense Plate

BIGSKYGL

Works CitedWorks Cited• Jeanette Rankin. VERTICAL. Encyclopædia Britannica ImageQuest. Web. 6 Nov 2014. 

http://quest.eb.com/#/search/115_866201/1/115_866201/cite

• Melting winter snow on buildings at Lolo Pass. Photo. Encyclopædia Britannica ImageQuest. Web. 6 Nov 2014. http://quest.eb.com/#/search/167_4051960/1/167_4051960/cite

• Mountain range at the lakeside, Bearhat Mountain. Photography. Encyclopædia Britannica ImageQuest. Web. 7 Nov 2014. http://quest.eb.com/#/search/165_3344304/1/165_3344304/cite

• Montana state flag. Illustration. Encyclopædia Britannica ImageQuest. Web. 7 Nov 2014. http://quest.eb.com/#/search/309_365921/1/309_365921/cite

• Political map of Montana. Photography. Encyclopædia Britannica ImageQuest. Web. 7 Nov 2014. http://quest.eb.com/#/search/309_2916182/1/309_2916182/cite

• USA, Montana, Missouri River, Great Falls. Photopgraphy. Encyclopædia Britannica ImageQuest. Web. 7 Nov 2014. http://quest.eb.com/#/search/126_3754358/1/126_3754358/cite

• Winter, Field. Photography. Encyclopædia Britannica ImageQuest. Web. 7 Nov 2014. http://quest.eb.com/#/search/165_3335582/1/165_3335582/cite