History

The area now known as Utah was home home to Anasazi/Ancestral Pueblo and Fremont tribes thousands of years before the arrival of Europeans.  The Anasazi built their homes though mountain excavations while the Fremont built houses of straw. In the 18th century, the Navajo tribe of Native American settled in the region, along with Ute-Aztecan tribes the Goshute, the Paiute, Shoshone, and the Ute People. All of these tribes were present in the region at the time the first European explorers arrived.

Exploration of southern Utah was led by Francisco Vásquez de Coronado in 1540 on his famed search for the Cibola – the seven cities of gold. More spanish exploration would occur over subsequent years, but no colonies were formed due to the desert climate.

In 1821, Utah became part of the newly independent Mexico as part of Alta California. The territory would remain part of Mexico until it became a U.S. territory after the end of the Mexican-American War.  Official statehood was granted to Utah on January 4, 1896, making it the 45th state admitted to the Union.

Natural Character

Utah is known for its expansive and rugged landscapes. One of the tenth least densely populated states, it has become a popular destination for adventure and nature tourists. Utah is home to five national parks: Arches, Bryce Canyon, Capitol Reef, Canyonlands, and Zion.

In the early 20th century, after the national parks had been established, Utah became increasingly recognized for its arid, and distinctly American natural character. Landmarks such as Delicate Arch or Monument Valley’s “the Mittens” are easily recognizable to most Americans. The development of the Interstate Highway system made Utah more accessible to travelers and it remains a popular tourist destination to this day. Utah’s striking landscapes have been immortalized in countless western films dating back to the early days of American cinema.

Utah’s hilly terrain and dry climate make it won of the premier ski locations in the world. The climate makes for very dry and powdery snow that skiers from all over the world travel to ski upon. The snow of the Wasatch Range is considered some of the best in the world and is the inspiration for the license that reads “the Greatest Snow on Earth.” So popular is Utah as a winter sports destination that it hosted the 2002 Winter Olympic Games.

Aside from resorts and National Parks, the Utah State Parks Commission manages 43 additional parks as well as 95,000 acres of undeveloped land and over 1 million acres of water. The sheer amount of protected land in Utah ensures that visitors will be able to revel in the state’s natural beauty for years to come.

Salt Lake City

Salt Lake City is both the capital and metropolitan hub of Utah.  Not only does it serve as the gateway to the state’s ski resorts and national parks, but it is a world class city with a character all of its own. Salt Lake City is home to a host of museum, shopping and dining experiences. One of the primary attractions of the city is the Historic Mormon Temple Square. The Temple Square occupies three city blocks in downtown Salt Lake City and features 20 attractions related to Mormon pioneer history. This is a must see for any visitor looking to understand the history and cultural legacy of the city and the state of Utah.