products is the state’s leading manufacturing
industry. Food processing is
another major industry. The largest
share of the state’s workers, however,
work in service industries. Government
operations and health care are among
the most important of these. The tourist
industry is one of Montana’s largest
sources of income. Coal, petroleum
(oil), and natural gas are the most valuable
mineral resources.
History
Montana was part of the land the
United States bought from France in the
Louisiana Purchase of 1803. A few years
later members of the Lewis and Clark
Expedition explored and reported on the
territory.
Gold discoveries in the early 1860s
brought miners to the area. Cattle and
sheep raising began later in the decade.
In 1881 copper was discovered near
Butte, giving rise to another major
industry.
Montana Territory was created in 1864.
It became the nation’s 41st state in
1889. Beginning in about 1900 settlers
known as homesteaders entered the state
to claim land. They introduced largescale
grain farming to the area.
By the 1920s Montana’s farm economy
was struggling. The situation was made
worse by the Great Depression of the
1930s. Eventually scientists made
advances in farming that helped the
farmers. Forestry and mining began to
grow as well. These all helped the
economy to recover. In the early 21st
century Montana worked to develop its
tourism industry and to encourage the
development of other businesses.
..More to explore
Helena • Lewis and Clark Expedition
• Louisiana Purchase
Bear Hat Mountain towers above Hidden
Lake in Montana’s Glacier National Park.
Grave markers at the Little Bighorn Battlefield
National Monument in Montana honor
people who died there during a famous
battle in 1876. A group of Native Americans
defeated U.S. troops who were trying
to force them to move to a reservation.
However, the Indians eventually lost their
land.
Facts About
MONTANA
Flag
Population
(2000)
902,195—rank,
44th state; (2008
estimate)
967,440—rank,
44th state
Capital
Helena
Area
147,042 sq mi
(380,838 sq
km)—rank, 4th
state
Statehood
November 8,
1889
Motto
Oro y Plata (Gold
and Silver)
State bird
Western
meadowlark
State flower
Bitterroot
174 Montana BRITANNICA STUDENT ENCYCLOPEDIA
Montenegro
Montenegro is a small country in southeastern
Europe. It lies on the Balkan
Peninsula along the Adriatic Sea. Montenegro
has two capitals—Podgorica and
Cetinje.
Montenegro borders Croatia, Bosnia
and Herzegovina, Serbia, Kosovo, and
Albania. Rugged mountains and valleys
make up most of Montenegro’s land.
Forests cover about a third of the country.
Wildlife includes foxes, wolves, wildcats,
bears, deer, wild pigs, and many
kinds of bird.
Most of the country’s people are Montenegrin,
a Slavic people similar to the
Serbs of Serbia. Most Montenegrins are
Eastern Orthodox Christians. Some
Bosniacs and Albanians also live in
Montenegro. They are mainly Muslim.
Manufacturing is a major part of Montenegro’s
economy. Factories process
foods and metals. Farmers grow grains
and raise sheep and goats. Mining, logging,
and tourism also are important.
People have lived in what is now Montenegro
since ancient times. It became
part of the Serbian empire in the 1100s.
In 1389 the Ottoman Turks conquered
Serbia but not Montenegro. Montenegro
was then independent for more than
500 years.
After a period of Turkish rule, Montenegro
joined Serbia and neighboring
countries to form one larger country in
1918. It was called the Kingdom of
Serbs, Croats, and Slovenes. Its name
was changed to Yugoslavia in 1929.
In the 1990s parts of Yugoslavia broke
away to become independent countries.
After a civil war, only Montenegro and
Serbia remained part of Yugoslavia. In
2003 they formed a country called Serbia
and Montenegro. Montenegro
became independent in 2006.
..More to explore
Balkan Peninsula • Yugoslavia
Sveti Stefan is a vacation center. A road
connects it to the mainland of Montenegro.
Facts About
MONTENEGRO
Population
(2008 estimate)
626,000
Area
5,333 sq mi
(13,812 sq km)
Capitals
Podgorica,
Cetinje
Form of
government
Republic
Major cities
Podgorica,
Niksic, Pljevlja,
Bijelo Polje,
Cetinje
BRITANNICA STUDENT ENCYCLOPEDIA Montenegro 175
Montevideo
Population
(2004 estimate)
1,269,552
Montevideo is the capital of Uruguay, a
country on the east coast of South
America. The city lies on a part of the
Atlantic Ocean called the Rio de la
Plata. It is much larger than any other
city in Uruguay. It is the country’s center
of education and business.
Montevideo is a major port. Trade and
shipping through the port are important
to the city’s economy. Factories in Montevideo
process foods, wool, oil, and
cement. Meatpacking has long been a
major industry in the city. Service industries
such as banking, education, and
tourism also bring money to the city.
Montevideo was founded in 1726 as a
Spanish military post. The city grew as it
began trading through its excellent port.
A series of different countries took control
of Montevideo in the early 1800s.
In 1828 Uruguay became an independent
country with Montevideo as its
capital.
..More to explore
Uruguay
Montgomery
Population
(2007 estimate)
204,086
Montgomery is the capital of the U.S.
