🠈 Utah History 🠊
Utah is the 13th largest state in the union covering 84,899 square miles in the Mountain West. In the 2010 census, the state had a population of 2,763,885 and was allotted four Congressional Districts. Estimates hold that the state crossed the 3 million mark in 2016.
The state has a arid climate with relatively little arable land. With climate zones ranging from high deserts to alpine forests.
What the state lacks in farms, it makes up in scenery. Utah is home to 5 national parks, 8 national monuments, 2 national recreation areas and seven national forests. In addition, the state has many undeveloped areas that would be instantly declared national parks if they existed in another other state.
Tourism and recreation are prime industries in the state. Utah is a prime destination of photographers seeking to hone their skills. My tumblr gallery highlights images from the state.
Utah History
Native Americans first appeared in Utah some ten thousand years ago. One still finds intriguing petroglyphs, pictograms and cliff dwellings created by the early inhabitants of the area.
Some historians claim the name "Utah" was derived from The Ute Tribe. Others claim it was from the Apache word "Yudah" which means tall.
Spanish Exploration
The Dominguez-Escalante Expedition was the first recorded European exploration of the state. This exploration established the rugged Spanish Trail between Sante Fe, NM and California.
Mexico claimed the area after its War of Independence; however few Mexicans lived in the area. The Mexican/American War of 1846-1848 broke out when Mexico attempted to prevent the Annexation of Texas by the United States. The Western half of the United States was ceded to the US with the Treastise of Guadalupe Hildago in 1848.
LDS Settlement
Utah Statehood
Utah became the 45th state admitted to the union on January 4, 1896 with Salt Lake City selected as the State Capitol.