Fun Facts About Utah

As you know, I live in the state of Utah - here are some interesting facts about this state:

• The name "Utah" comes from the Native American "Ute" tribe and means people of the mountains.

• Utah was acquired by the United States in 1848 in the treaty ending the Mexico War.

• Utah is the only state whose capital's name is made of three words. All three words in Salt Lake City have four letters each.

• Utah covers 84,900 square miles of land and is ranked 11th largest state in the United States.

• The Great Salt Lake covers 2,100 square miles, with an average depth of 13 feet. The deepest point is 34 feet.

• The Great Salt Lake, which is about 75 miles long and 35 miles wide, covers more than a million acres.

• Utah has 11,000 miles of fishing streams and 147,000 acres of lakes and reservoirs.

• Utah has the highest literacy rate in the nation.

• Parts of the movie, “The World’s Fastest Indian” was filmed in Utah. It is, of course based on the true story of New Zealander Burt Munro who set numerous land speed records with his motorcycle at the Bonneville Salt Flats in the late 1950’s and into the 1960’s.

• The television series "Touched by an Angel" is filmed in Utah.

• The federal government owns 65% of the state's land.

• The average snowfall in the mountains near Salt Lake City is 500 inches. Because of the state's inland location Utah's snow is unusually dry. Earning it the reputation of having the world's greatest powder. 14 Alpine ski resorts operate in Utah.

• Rainbow Bridge, Nature's abstract sculpture carved of solid sandstone, is the world's largest natural-rock span. It stands 278 feet wide and 309 feet high.

• State symbol: The Beehive symbolizes thrift and industry.

• State animal: The Rocky Mountain Elk.

• State flower: Sego Lily

• State Governor: Gary Herbert