Wyoming, a north-western state of the American Union, ranking eighth in area and third lowest in population of all the states and territories, lies mainly on the eastern slope of the Rocky Mountains. It is bounded on the N. by Montana, E. by South Dakota and Nebraska, S. by Colorado and Utah, and W. by Utah, Idaho, and Montana. From east to west the length is 360 miles, and the width from north to south is 275 miles. Area, 97,890 sq. m. The state is traversed by the main axis of the Rocky Mountains, which constitutes the continental divide, and the greater part of it is a mountainous region. The northern group of the Rocky Mountain system finds here its greatest development, and is noted for its wild and rugged character and for its picturesque scenery. In the west central part are the Wind River Mountains (see UNITED STATES), in the north central part the Big Horn Mountains, in the extreme north-east the Black Hills extending into South Dakota, in the south-east the Laramie Range, in the south the Medicine Bow Mountains, north of which are the Sweetwater and Rattlesnake ranges, and in the west the Teton, Shoshone, and Gros Ventre ranges. Among the principal peaks are Frémont's Peak (13,790 feet), Mount Hayden (13,691 feet),
Snow's Peak (13,570 feet), Wind River Peak (13,499 feet), Mount Chauvenet (13,000 feet), Mount Hooker (12,900 feet), Mount Moran (12,800 feet), and Washakie Needle (12,253 feet). The Yellowstone (q.v.) National Park, 3600 sq. m. in area, occupies the north-western corner, and is mainly within the limits of this state. The mountains are covered with forests of considerable extent, occupying one-eighth of the total area. Interspersed between the ranges are broad plateaus with arable soils, which with proper irrigation yield prolific crops; but less than one-sixth of the state altogether is estimated to be capable of cultivation. Wyoming is essentially a grazing country, and at present supports over 1,500,000 cattle, and 1,000,000 sheep. The mean elevation of the plateau regions is from 7000 to 8000 feet. Yellowstone Lake has an altitude of 7778, Lewis Lake 7750, and Shoshone Lake 7670 feet above the level of the sea. The south-western portion of the state slopes towards the Pacific Ocean and forms a part of the Green River valley. The eastern part of the state is drained by tributaries of the Missouri, the western by the Snake or Shoshone River, which ultimately joins the Columbia, and in the south-west is the Green River, which eventually discharges its waters into the Colorado. In the mountain regions are deposits of gold and silver and ores of copper and iron. Near Evanston, Carbon, and Rock Springs, and in some other localities, there is found a superior quality of soft coal in great abundance. These deposits are extensively worked, and furnish fuel for nearly all the railroads and for the towns and settlements of the state. The state also possesses valuable deposits of soda, some tin, abundance of limestone, and oil-wells. There are hundreds of thousands of acres of fine pasture-land in Wyoming where cattle may feed throughout the year. Nearly three-quarters of the area of the state is yet open for settlement under the Homestead (q.v.) laws. The climate is dry, although the country is well watered by streams. The summers are mild and delightful. In exposed regions the winters are severe, but in general the climate is conducive to health and comfort. Besides grazing, mining and agriculture are the leading industries. The state is divided into thirteen counties, and has one representative in congress. The chief towns are Cheyenne, the capital, Laramie, Rock Springs, Rawlins, and Evanston. Wyoming comprises portions of the territory acquired by the Louisiana Purchase of 1803, and of that obtained by the treaty with Mexico in 1848. A territory from 1868, it was admitted as a state in 1890. Pop. (1870) 9118; (1880) 20,789; (1890) 60,705; (1900) 92,531.