Utah, Rocky Mt. state of the W United
States. It is bordered by Idaho and Wyoming (N), Colorado (E), Arizona
(S), and Nevada (W), and touches New Mexico in the SE, at the Four
Corners.
Area, 84,916 sq mi (219,932 sq km), including 2,577 sq mi (6,674 sq km) of inland water surface.
Pop. (2000) 2,233,169, a 29.6% increase since the 1990 census.
Capital and largest city, Salt Lake City.
Motto, Industry.
State bird, seagull.
State flower, sego lily.
State tree, blue spruce. 
Cultivated
land, including isolated farms in river valleys and considerable
dry-farming acreage, is limited to a small percentage of the state's
total area. Major crops are hay, corn, barley, and wheat, but the bulk
of income from agriculture comes from livestock and livestock products,
including sheep, cattle, dairying, and an expanding poultry industry.
Abundant sunshine provides some compensation for inadequate rainfall,
and the climate is generally moderate, allowing for substantial fruit
production.
For
many years high freight rates and the long distances to major markets,
together with a Mormon distrust of industrialization, tended to
discourage manufacturing. However, the establishment of defense plants
and military installations during World War II spurred phenomenal
industrial growth. The proximity of high-grade iron, coal, and
limestone made Provo a steel center. Industrial plants extend from
Provo to Brigham City, with the largest concentration in the Salt Lake
City area. Utah is now a center for aerospace research and the
production of missiles, spacecraft, computer hardware and software,
electronic systems, and related items. Other major manufactures are
processed foods, machinery, fabricated metals, and petroleum products.
Tourism
has become increasingly important to the state's economy. In addition
to the five national parks and seven national monuments, ski resorts,
particularly in the Wasatch Range, are popular destinations. Since
1984, Park City has hosted the annual Sundance Film Festival.