A complete guide to iconic places. Sights of Utah - what to see. A Complete Guide to Iconic Places Posted by utah
The largest center of tourism is Utah. This is a relatively large area that is located in the Rocky Mountain region. Famous for its scenery, it is also one of the fastest growing states.
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With an area of 219.9 thousand km2, Utah ranks 13th in the country. Its population is 2.8 million. The bulk of the residents are distributed in such large cities as Salt Lake City (the capital), West Valley City, Provo and West Jordan. The territory received its modern status at the end of the 19th century (1896) and became the 45th in the Union.
Europeans discovered this territory back in 1540, but massive exploration began much later, almost 2 centuries later. Initially, the lands belonged to the Spaniards, then they became part of the Mexican Empire, which gained independence.
Salt Lake City in 1850
It was only in 1849, after the end of the Mexican-American War, that the future state of Utah passed into the hands of the government. After this, the territory experienced numerous battles with Indian tribes, then rapid development and a large influx of prospectors and settlers after the discovery of mineral deposits here.
Modern population
The overwhelming majority of the population is white (86%). There are practically no African Americans - only 1.1%. About the same number of Indians live in Utah.
Most of Americans have English roots. 12% of residents are of Scandinavian origin. The same amount is German. Mexicans – 9%.
Religion
The state of Utah has been called one of the most religiously homogeneous. The Church of Jesus Christ has a great influence, which has largely shaped the local culture. According to the latest data, 58% of residents are Mormons, 10% are Catholics. 16% of the total population are atheists or people without a specific religion.
Geographical and climatic features
The state of Utah is located in the western part of the United States (central west). Three major ones intersect on its territory geographical object: Colorado Plateau, Rocky Mountains, Great Pool. They are the ones who shape the terrain. There is mountainous areas, valleys, deserts, ridges, plains. Most of it is covered with dense forests.
Utah on the map:
It's quite hot here in summer. In July, temperatures can rise to 38 degrees. Winters, on the contrary, are cold. In almost all regions, thermometers drop to 0 degrees, sometimes acquiring negative values. Utah is prone to high rainfall at any time of the year.
Features of the economy
Utah is very rich in useful resources. Copper, oil and natural gas, and coal are mined here. In this regard, the petrochemical and oil refining industries have been developed.
Mechanical engineering, the production of parts for aircraft and space rockets and ships, also flourish here. The food and chemical industries and the production of paper products are of great importance. The state of Utah is also famous for its developed tourism and services.
Education
There are a lot of higher education institutions in Utah. A few stand out in particular. Yes, famous Utah State University. Its main focus is agriculture. From the state he received a large plot of land to conduct various types of research.
There are at least 33 thousand students. In this region, this university is considered the largest.
Has great popularity University of Utah. This is the most significant educational institution here. It ranks 79th in the world in terms of prestige and quality of education. There are about 29 thousand students here.
Attractions
Utah is very popular for its natural attractions. This Salt Lake, which are the second largest in the country, Rocky Mountains, river valleys.
It's open here a large number of national parks, which protect the most significant objects. Here you can look at canyons of unusual shapes, bizarre rocks and other wonders of nature.
The architecture is very interesting. There are a large number of Mormon churches here, which have no analogues in other religious directions.
There are many open in the Wellsville area historical museums, in which tourists will be able to get acquainted with the stages of the conquest of these lands, with the most significant events.
And, of course, you can’t ignore the traditional farm. This is a museum under open air, where everything you need to know about agricultural development in this region is presented.
Video
Watch the video “Things to Do in Utah”
The state of Utah is in the group of Mountain states in the western United States. The Mountain States, or Mountain West, is a geographic region located primarily in the Rocky Mountains of the Cordillera system.
Diverse topography is a hallmark of Utah's landscape. In the central part of the state - with the Wasatch and Uintah ranges; mountains alternate with desert plateaus. There are several valleys in the western Wasatch Range where about 75% of Utah's population is concentrated.
To the east is the high Colorado Plateau, to the west is the Great Basin Highlands.
In the north of the state there is a unique nature education- Great Salt Lake, the most big lake in the western USA. The dam divides the lake in two and is crossed by the Union Pacific Railroad. The average salinity of water in the lake varies: sometimes it reached 300%o, and the lowest recorded salinity was 137%o. The lake has no drainage and several small rivers flow into it.
State history
The name Utah comes from the Indian word “Ute,” or “high,” meaning mountain people, or “mountain dwellers.”
Indians lived in the Great Basin Highlands already 10 thousand years ago: they hunted and gathered. About 2 thousand years ago, in the area of the Colorado Plateau, a culture of so-called “basket weavers” developed: they knew how to make all kinds of baskets, even waterproof ones for cooking food. After them, the Pueblo tribes lived here, choosing to live in caves that remained in the southeast of the state. Then the Ute, Paiute, Navajo and Goshute Indians settled here. They met the first Europeans in these places.
In 1540, Spanish adventurers Francisco de Coronado came here, scouring the Indian lands in search of the mythical Seven Cities of Cibola. The Europeans did not find any cities, partially exterminated the Indians and disappeared for a long time. Only in 1776 did the Spanish Franciscan missionaries Silvestre de Escalante and Francisco Domínguez arrive here. Fur traders followed them, and in 1846 the Mormons (a religious community of Protestant origin) arrived here.
In 1849, the Mormons founded their own state in Utah, covering the territory from Oregon to Mexico. After it became apparent that the United States was growing stronger as an independent country, the Mormons petitioned the U.S. Congress to grant their “state” statehood. Congress rejected their claim to such a large territory and decided to create the smaller state of Utah. And the Mormons did not receive this state immediately, but only in 1896: the resistance of supporters of the traditional church to the Mormon sect, in which polygamy flourished, was too active.
The Utah Indians put up a desperate resistance to the Mormons. The latter had to resort to the help of the US federal army and agree to the appointment of a governor who did not follow the Mormon religion. The Indians were driven into reservations, and the state began to intensively develop agriculture and industry. Rich deposits of silver, gold, zinc and copper, and later oil, were found here. Agriculture began to develop after the expansion of the irrigation system.
One-third of Utah is forested, most of it in forested areas, and about half of the forested area is federally owned (several national forested areas). In most forests, logging is prohibited. In the mountains there are coniferous forests in places, and on the arid plains the vegetation is mostly semi-desert and desert.
Nature
The most big river Utah - , with tributaries Green and San Juan. The river is home to Powell Reservoir, the second largest reservoir in the United States, containing 30 km 3 of water at full flow. The Colorado flows through some of the most spectacular and ancient landscapes North America: colorful canyons, endless desert plains, forested and snow-capped mountains, beautiful gorges and national parks.
A significant part of Utah is occupied by nature reserves and national parks. This is despite the fact that the state lies in the rain shadow of the Sierra Nevada and Wasatch ranges, and therefore receives relatively little precipitation. The smallest amount occurs in the Great Salt Lake desert, up to 127 mm/year.
National Park Zion - located along the Virgin River Canyon (24 km long and 800 meters deep), occupies about 600 km 2. It is surrounded by the lifeless Mojave Desert, but in the reserve itself life is in full swing: there are about 300 species of plants alone, and 75 species of mammals. Canyonlands National Park - between the Green and Colorado Rivers - is the largest of the national parks in Utah: 900 km 2 of canyon labyrinths. Archer National Park is an area of eroded red and yellow rocks shaped like bridges and just huge holes in the rock. The main attraction of the park is the Gentle Arch on the edge of the canyon, whose thickness is no more than 70 cm.
No less interesting and impressive are the national parks of Bryce Canyon, Capital Reef (with Lake Powell - the second largest artificial reservoir in the United States), Cedar Break, Hovenweep (with the ruins of six buildings of pre-Columbian cultures, including Hovenweep Castle, built in the period from 1160 to 1200 AD), Nature Bridge.
The life of Utah's pioneers can be explored at the Goosnex Historic Reservation, where old village gold miners Mexican Hut and the Mormon town of Bluff.
Utah is one of the most sparsely populated regions of the United States, due to its extremely rugged terrain, arid climate, and saline soils. Approximately 80% of the population is concentrated in the Wasatch Range region, centered on Salt Lake City, making the state the sixth most urbanized state in the United States and the fastest growing in population. The inhabitants of the cities are predominantly of English, Scandinavian, German, Mexican and Irish origin. The religion has retained its traditional focus: Mormons make up 58%, and most of them live in Salt Lake City.
The state capital is Salt Lake City, a large regional trade and financial center located in the center of the state, on the Jordan River, next to the Great Salt Lake. Founded in 1847 by Mormon leader Brigham Young, it was built according to a special project: wide streets and square blocks with internal streets ending in dead ends extend from the center. City attractions include the Salt Lake Temple (1853-1893), House of Prayer (1867), Bee House and Lion House, Salt Lake Art Center, Southeast Temple (1909), Church History Library, Church Museum History, Welfare Square, Brigham Young University.
general information
Location: Western USA, Rocky Mountain region.
Administrative division: 29 districts.
Capital: Salt Lake City, 186,440 people. (2010).
English language.
Currency unit: U.S. dollar.
Ethnic composition: White - 93.85%, African American - 1.14%, Native American - 1.84%, Asian - 2.2%, Hawaiian and Polynesian - 0.97% (2000).
Religions: Mormonism - 58%, Catholicism - 10%, Evangelical Christianity - 7%, Protestantism - 6% (2008), other - 3%, undecided - 16%.
Large settlements:
Salt Lake City, West Valley City, Provo, West Jordan, Ogden.
Largest rivers: Colorado, Greene.
Largest lakes: Great Salty, Utah, Powell (artificial).
Most important airport: international Airport Salt Lake City.
Numbers
Area: 219,890 km2.
Population: 2,817,222 people (2011).
Population density: 12.81 people/km 2 .
Highest point: Mount Kings Peak (4123 m).
Lowest place: Beaverdam Wash (610 m above sea level).
Average altitude above sea level: over 1800 m.
Economy
Minerals: oil, natural gas, coal, copper ore, beryllium (world leader in production), gold, silver, lead, uranium, molybdenum, salts, coal, gilsonite (for asphalt production).
Industry: mechanical engineering, aerospace (rocket science), high tech(computer equipment and software), food, petrochemical, printing, non-ferrous and ferrous metallurgy.
Agriculture: crop production (sugar beets, alfalfa, vegetables), pasture-type livestock farming.
Service sector: tourism ( ski resorts), financial, transport, trade.
Climate and weather
Continental arid. Quite cold winters and hot summers.
Average January temperature:-2°C.
Average temperature in July:+25°С.
Average annual precipitation: 250-400 mm.
Attractions
Capitol (Salt Lake City, 1912-1916, restoration 2004-2008)
Fort Douglas (1862)
Religious buildings: Salt Lake Temple (1893). Salt Lake Tent (1864-1867), Salt Lake Assembly Hall (1877-1882) Catholic cathedral Madeleine (1909)
Museums: church history and art, pioneers, fine arts, Natural History, Military, Heritage (Salt Lake City), Fossil Remains (Point SaintsGiving)
National parks: Monument Valley, Zion, Bryce Canyon, Archer, Canyonlands
Ashley Forest Preserve with Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area
Alpine Loop Trail (Uinta Forest, Timpanogos Mountains, and Wasatch Range)
Parks: Liberty Park, Sugar Park House
Golden Spike National Monument
Historic Gardner Village (founded by Mormon Archibald Gardner in the 1850s)
Bonneville Salt Fields
Timpanogos Cave
American West Heritage Center (with Men's and His Breeds Museum and Historic Mormon Farm)
Resorts: Alta, Brighton, Solitude, Snowbird, Deer Valley, Canyon, Park City Resorts
Great Salt Lake
Curious facts
The Great Salt Lake is an inexhaustible source of Glauber's salt and table salt: the total reserve of salts in the lake is estimated at 6 billion tons.
The summits of the Wasatch Range are lower than the Rocky Mountain average, but they are covered by glaciers most of the year. Due to the relatively low air humidity, the snow on their slopes is very dry and has a powdery structure, for which it is especially valued by professional skiers. That is why a significant part of winter Olympic Games 2002 took place on the Wasatch Range.
Until the beginning of the 20th century. the name of the state was transmitted in Russia when writing as Utakh. This spelling is often found in the works of V.I. Lenin (as well as the name of another state - Delaware).
There are many ski resorts around Salt Lake City. In 2002, the city became the venue for the XIX Winter Olympic Games.
In downtown Salt Lake City is the Salt Lake Temple (1853-1893), or Salt Lake City Utah Temple, the largest and most famous Mormon temple in the world. It occupies an entire block: over 40 thousand m2. The temple is considered a holy place and access to it is limited. Its area is surrounded by white walls 4.5 m high and includes the headquarters of the Mormon Church, famous for the unique acoustics of the Tabernacle Choir (1863-1867). A meeting hall, a gallery of sculptural compositions on religious themes with a statue of the angel Moroni crowning the central spire of the temple, 63 m high.
Utah State Map:
Utah is a state in the USA in the group of Mountain States, located in the Rocky Mountains region. It is bordered to the northeast by Wyoming, to the east by Colorado, to the south by Arizona, to the west by Nevada and to the north by Idaho. The capital and largest city is Salt Lake City. Other major cities are Ogden and Provo.
Utah became the 45th state admitted to the United States on January 4, 1896. About 80% of the population lives on the Wasatch Front, centered on Salt Lake City. Utah has vast expanses of nearly uninhabited land, making the state the sixth most urbanized state in the United States. The name "Utah" comes from the name of the Utah tribe and means "mountain people" in the Ute language.
Utah is one of the most religiously homogeneous states in the United States. Between 41% and 60% of the state's residents are reported to be members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Saints last days, which greatly influences the state's culture and daily life.
The state of Utah is a transportation center, information technology and scientific research, government services, the mining industry are developed here, and Utah is also a large tourist centre. The United States Census Bureau estimates that Utah was the fastest-growing state in the United States by population as of 2008. The city of St. George, in the state, was the fastest growing metropolitan area in the United States from 2000-2005.
Until the beginning of the 20th century, the name of the state was transcribed into Russian as Utakh.
Official name: State of Utah
State capital: Salt Lake City
Largest city: Salt Lake City
Other major cities: West Valley City, Provo, West Jordan, Sandy, Orem, Ogden, St. George, Layton, Taylorsville.
State nicknames: Beehive State.
State Motto: Industriousness
Utah Zip Code: UT
State formation date: 1896 (45th in order)
Area: 219.9 thousand sq. km. (13th place in the country.)
Population: more than 2.2 million people (34th place in the country).
Utah history
The first people lived in the Great Basin region more than 10 thousand years ago, engaged primarily in hunting and gathering. About 2 thousand years ago, the Anasazi basket-making culture developed in the Colorado Plateau region. Then the Pueblo tribes settled here, numerous traces of whose activity, including cliff dwellings, have been preserved in the southeast of the state. By the time Europeans arrived, this region was inhabited by the Ute, Paiute, Navajo and Goshute tribes.
The first Europeans to enter the modern state were the soldiers of Francisco de Coronado (1540), who were searching for the Seven Cities of Cibola. In 1776, two Franciscan missionaries, Silvestre de Escalante and Francisco Dominguez, traveled here on an expedition whose purpose was to find a convenient route to build a road between Santa Fe and the Spanish missions in California. By 1825, such famous mountain men as William Ashley, Thomas Fitzpatrick, Jim Bridger and Jedediah Smith had visited the area. In 1843-44, John Fremont was the first to explore the Great Basin region. During the 1840s, Utah served as a transit area for many expeditions and settlers to California, including the infamous Donner Expedition of 1846, which brought the first Mormons from Illinois to Utah a year later. Members of this denomination, hiding from persecution, had to play a decisive role in the development of the region.
On July 24, 1847, Mormons led by Brigham Young entered the Great Salt Lake Valley. A year after the end of the Mexican-American War, the territory of modern Utah became part of the United States. In 1849, the Mormons created the state of Deseret, stretching from Oregon to Mexico and west to the Sierra Nevada range, and petitioned Congress for admission to the United States. Congress refused to recognize a state within these boundaries, but in 1850 it decided to create the smaller Utah Territory, with Brigham Young as governor. Mormon claims to create the state of Deseret, however, continued into the 1870s.
The history of the next few decades was marked by conflicts between settlers and Indians, especially the Ute tribe, which ended only in 1867 after the creation of Indian reservations here, as well as the struggle of the federal authorities with the Mormons, who were persecuted for polygamy. In 1857-58 events led to the so-called. "War in Utah", when, on the orders of President James Buchanan, federal troops were sent there with the task of bringing to power a new governor of the territory, who was not a Mormon. Completion of the transcontinental railway railway in 1869 contributed to an intensive influx of settlers, including non-Mormons, and the development of agriculture and industry. The constitution of the future state, adopted in 1895, had an unusual provision at that time on the right to vote for women. In 1896, after several refusals by Congress and 6 years after the Mormons officially rejected polygamy, Utah was admitted to the United States as a state.
IN late XIX- early 20th century Numerous deposits of silver, gold, zinc, copper and other minerals were discovered here. Thanks to the development of the irrigation system, agricultural land began to expand. Military orders during both world wars contributed to the development of the processing and mining industries. In the 1960s, the state experienced intensive urbanization (now the majority of the state's population is concentrated in large cities). Between 1968-90, the state's population grew by almost 70%. The 1980s saw the beginning of economic diversification with a predominant increase in the role of the service sector and tourism.
Geography of Utah
The surface is predominantly mountainous. Central Utah is crossed by the Rocky Mountains. The high ridges of these mountains - Wasatch, Uintah (the highest point is Kings Peak, 4123 m) - alternate with desert plateaus: the Colorado Plateau in the east and the Great Basin in the west.
The main river is the Colorado with tributaries the Green and San Juan Rivers. Northern Utah is home to the largest lake in the western United States, the Great Salt Lake.
Approximately 30% of the state is covered with forests, and about half of the forest area is federal property (several national forest reserves); In most forests, logging is prohibited.
The state is characterized by a continental, arid climate, and the amount of precipitation is record low for the United States.
Utah Economy
Utah produces more than 200 types of minerals of industrial importance; the most important are oil, natural gas, coal, copper. Copper mining began back in 1907, oil - in 1948; Utah ranks among the first in the country in copper mining. However, the mining industry accounts for only about 3% of the gross product, and agriculture employs no more than 5% of the population. More than 75% of the population is employed in the service sector. The main industries are mechanical engineering (production of construction and mining equipment), aerospace (aircraft parts, rocket and spacecraft components); production of electrical equipment; food, chemical and printing industries.
Nestled among rugged mountains and vast plateaus is the picturesque state of Utah. This area is full of attractions, unexpected contrasts and charm. There are always a lot of tourists here, some completely dedicate their vacation to excursions, while others enjoy the splendor of nature. The state capital is Salt Lake City, next to which is one of the most famous natural attractions - Salt Lake. In the center of the capital there is the beautiful Salt Lake Temple, which was built at the end of the 19th century. This religious landmark is one of the most significant in the world. The building covers an area of 4 hectares and is surrounded by a powerful stone wall.
Continuing the theme of religious attractions, we can recommend visiting the Museum of Church History. It houses an excellent collection of historical documents, works of art and other artifacts dedicated to the history of the Mormons. The salt lake, after which the city was named, also attracts thousands of tourists; this attraction is included in the List World Heritage UNESCO.
The city of Springdale and nearby Zion National Park are definitely worth a visit. On its territory there are deep canyons, majestic waterfalls, rocky cliffs, and impenetrable forests. In the vicinity of the city of Moab there are two national parks– Canyonlands and Arches. The first is the largest in the state; in comparison, even the famous Grand Canyon looks very modest. Arches also covers a large area and has an unusual rocky landscape. The rocks in these places have reddish and yellow shades and form many arches of bizarre shapes - this is a real natural gallery. Copyright www.site
In the southwestern part of the state is Bryce Canyon National Park, which is a huge natural amphitheater. Its formation lasted millions of years; this area looks especially impressive in winter. History buffs should visit Wellsville's mountainous areas, which are home to several major history museums as well as an authentic historic farm. This open-air museum covers an area of about 130 hectares. The popular ski resorts of Snowbird Trem are also located here. Such a variety of landscapes, cities and resorts makes Utah an increasingly popular tourist region.
Utah is considered an ideal region for active rest. In summer it is visited by fans hiking and cycling, and there are also first-class horse riding centers throughout the state. In winter, excellent conditions for skiing are created here; after the Winter Olympic Games in 2002, Salt Lake City has maintained an excellent sports infrastructure.
The Golden Spike is a unique tourist area; a whole day is not enough to explore all its attractions. Travelers with children will be interested in visiting the local amusement park, and not far from it on the shores of the Big Lake there are equipped great places for swimming and sunbathing.
The area preserves the beautiful historic village of Gardner, where visitors will have the opportunity to get acquainted with the way of life of the indigenous population. History buffs are invited to take a tour of the nearby Point Saintsgiving area, where archaeologists have discovered valuable paleontological finds. Now the archaeological area is available for excursions, and visitors can see all the finds of archaeologists in the local museum.
The state of Utah is a real leader in the United States in terms of the number of national parks located on its territory. Each park has its own unique features, and Zion Park offers unique rock formations. Some rocks with their outlines resemble fairy-tale castles, for this nature reserve characterized by diversity natural landscapes. Here you can walk through picturesque forests, admire the beautiful waterfalls and mountain rivers. Zion Park is considered one of the most “living” in the United States; its territory is home to more than 70 species of mammals and more than 280 species of birds.
Utah is a state located in the western region of the United States, in the Rocky Mountains. In the east it borders with the state of Colorado, in the northeast - with Wyoming, southern border with Arizona, western - with Nevada, northern - with Idaho. The capital is Salt Lake City. Big cities: Provo, Ogden. Population 2,817,222 people. Area 219,887 km². In 1896 it became the 45th US state.
State attractions
In the center of the capital you can see one of the most beautiful temples of the 19th century - Salt Lake Temple. You can also visit the Church History Museum, where you can look at a huge collection of historical documents, artifacts and works of art from the history of the Mormon movement. In Springdale, Zion Park offers views of vast canyons, waterfalls, cliffs and green forests. Arches National Park is famous for its unusual landscape, the rocks of which have a reddish-yellow hue. Utah is home to many top-notch resorts that specialize in skiing, horseback riding, hiking and biking. The Big Cottonwood Canyon, Little Cottonwood Canyon, and Park City resort areas often experience dry snow. The reason for this is the mountain winds, which, passing over the Great Salt Lake, are saturated with moisture.
At Golden Spike National Historic Site, you can visit Lagoon Luna Park, the historic village of Gardner, one of the largest fossil museums at Point SaintsGiving, the Bingham Canyon Mine, or the Bonneville Salt Flats.
Geography and climate
Utah is characterized by varied topography. Home to the Rocky Mountains, the Great Basin and the Colorado Plateau. In the northern part is the Wasatch Range, whose height reaches 3,700 meters above sea level. In the northeast is Mount Uinta, reaching an altitude of 3950 meters. Highest point– Mount Kings Peak (4123 m). In the west there is a desert area with low ridges. In the south and southeast, the Colorado Plateau is covered with sandstones. The Colorado River runs through here. In the northern part there is a large lake - the Great Salt Lake. About 30% of Utah is covered in forests. The climate is semiarid desert. The eastern part lies in the rain zone of the Wasatch Range. Southern and eastern territory in summer time exposed to monsoons from the Gulf of California. The average annual precipitation in the lowlands is 305 mm, in the Great Salt Lake Desert - 127 mm. The average annual temperature in January is -1°C, in July from 29 to 38°C.
Economy
Utah's GDP is $114.5 billion. The main industries are mechanical engineering, construction, mining equipment, electrical equipment, aerospace, food, oil, and chemical industries. Printing, non-ferrous and ferrous metallurgy are developed. Oil, coal, natural gas, and copper are being extracted. About 75% of residents work in the service sector. It is developed at a high level here travel business. In the field of agriculture, livestock breeding, pasture breeding, and poultry farming are developed. Sugar beets, alfalfa, corn, wheat, and vegetables are grown here.
Population and religion
About 80% of residents live in the Wasatch Front region. About 49.9% of residents are women. The racial composition is as follows: 95.2% - white, 2.2% - Asian, 1.84% - Native American, 1.14% - African American, 0.97% - Hawaiian and Oceanian. By ethnicity, 27.3% of Utah's population is of English ancestry, 12.3% of Scandinavian ancestry, 12.1% of German ancestry, 9% of Mexican ancestry, 6.2% of Irish ancestry, and 4.6% of Scottish ancestry. Most of the residents come from Nordic countries. Religious ratio: 58% - Mormons, 16% - do not identify themselves with any religion, 10% - Catholics, 7% - Evangelical Christians, 6% - adherents of the sect of the main line of Protestantism.