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Utah is a Rocky Mountain state of in the western United States. It is bordered by Idaho and Wyoming to the north, Colorado to the east, Arizona in the south, Nevada in the west, and touches New Mexico in the southeast, at the Four Corners.
Utah has two dissimilar regions sharply divided by the Wasatch Range (part of the Rocky Mountains), which runs generally south from the Idaho border. To the east of the Wasatch rise high mountains and irregular plateaus; along its western foothills lie the major cities of Utah, while farther west is the Great Basin. In the northeast the snowcapped Uinta Mountains reach the state's highest elevation in Kings Peak (13,528 ft/4,123 m). The dissected Colorado Plateau stretches southward, rugged and largely uninhabitable except in isolated river valleys. Deep, tortuous canyons cut by the Colorado River and its tributaries impede travel but create vistas of remarkable grandeur.
The state's unusual geologic history has produced many natural wonders, most notably Great Salt Lake and the spectacular Bryce Canyon and Zion national parks. Other attractions are Canyonlands and Arches, national parks; Cedar Breaks, Dinosaur, Grand Staircase–Escalante, Hovenweep, Natural Bridges, Rainbow Bridge, and Timpanogos Cave national monuments; Glen Canyon National Recreation Area; and Golden Spike National Historic Site. The Bonneville Salt Flats are famous as an automotive speedway. There are many national forests and a number of Native American reservations.
Utah: Quick Facts and Figures
Area: 84,916 sq mi (219,932 sq km), including 2,577 sq mi (6,674 sq km) of inland water surface.
Population (2000): 2,233,169, a 29.6% increase since the 1990 census.
Capital and largest city: Salt Lake City.
Statehood: Jan. 4, 1896 (45th state).
Highest point: Kings Peak, 13,528 ft (4,126 m).
Lowest point: Beaverdam Creek, 2,000 ft (610 m).
Nickname: Beehive State.
Motto: Industry.
State bird: Seagull.
State flower: Sego lily.
State tree: Blue spruce.
Abbr: UT
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