Basic Information About Utah

Utah is a landlocked state in the western US, covering 84,897 square miles and home to approximately 3.4 million residents. The state capital and largest city is Salt Lake City. Utah is known for its extraordinary red rock landscapes, five national parks, and the influence of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) on its culture and demographics.

Nickname: The Beehive State — the beehive is a LDS symbol representing industry, perseverance, and collective effort. It appears on the state flag and state seal.

Statehood: January 4, 1896 — the 45th state admitted to the union, after years of controversy over the practice of plural marriage (polygamy) in the Utah Territory.

State Flower: Sego Lily — a small, delicate wildflower that saved early Mormon pioneers from starvation during a difficult winter.

State Bird: California Gull — honored for saving pioneer crops from a cricket plague in 1848 (the "Miracle of the Gulls").

State Tree: Quaking Aspen.

Climate: Highly variable due to topography. The Great Salt Lake Desert and Colorado Plateau lowlands are hot and dry. The Wasatch Range and Uinta Mountains receive enormous snowfall — Utah's ski resorts are famous for the world's greatest snow (low-moisture powder). The Salt Lake Valley has a semi-arid climate with hot summers and cold, snowy winters.

Geography: Utah has the most dramatic natural landscapes of any landlocked US state: the Wasatch Front urban corridor, the Colorado Plateau canyon country in the south, the Uinta Mountains in the northeast (the only major east-west mountain range in the US), and the Great Basin desert in the west.

Religion: Approximately 60% of Utah residents are members of the LDS Church. This shapes the state's culture, politics, low alcohol consumption, high birth rate, and exceptional volunteerism rates.