Wyoming

State in western USA, one of the Mountain States, bordered to the east by Nebraska and South Dakota, to the north by Montana, to the west by Montana, Idaho, and Utah, and to the south by Utah and Colorado; area 251,488 sq km/97,100 sq mi; population (2000) 493,800; capital Cheyenne. Wyoming's nickname stems from its reputation for firsts in granting rights to women, including voting, jury service, and the holding of public office. The state is famous for the towering peaks of the Rocky Mountains which dominate the landscape and are the setting of Yellowstone National Park. It is the most sparsely populated state in the USA. The state's most important products are petroleum, coal, and natural gas. Cattle ranching is the most significant agricultural activity, and products include wool, sugar beet, and dairy produce. Other major towns and cities are Casper, Laramie, Rock Springs, Gillette, and Sheridan. Wyoming was home to indigenous people, including the Crow, Cheyenne, Sioux, Arapaho, and Shoshone, and was not visited by whites until the early 19th century, when it was explored by John Colter. It was acquired by the USA in 1803 as part of the Louisiana Purchase. Fort Laramie, a trading post, was settled in 1834. Wyoming became a territory after the Union Pacific Railroad arrived in 1867–68. Wyoming was admitted to the Union in 1890 as the 44th US state.