Glacier Country, Montana facts for kids
Glacier Country, Montana is a beautiful and exciting area in the U.S. state of Montana. It's a popular spot for tourists and includes important cities like Missoula, Kalispell, and Whitefish. This region is famous for being home to the amazing Glacier National Park. It also has Montana's second-largest city, Missoula, Montana. In 2015, about 332,702 people lived in Glacier Country.
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Exploring Glacier Country's Regions
Glacier County: Where Mountains Meet Plains
Glacier County is in the northwestern part of Montana. In 2010, about 13,399 people lived here. This county is special because it sits between the wide-open Great Plains and the towering Rocky Mountains. The Blackfeet people, who have lived here for a long time, call the Rocky Mountains the "Backbone of the World."
Glacier County has a mix of different landscapes and cultures. It includes the Blackfeet American Indian Reservation, a large part of Glacier National Park, and parts of the Lewis and Clark National Forest. The county also shares about 75 miles of its border with Alberta, Canada. There are three places where you can cross the border, with two open all year.
Ravalli County: The Bitterroot Valley
Ravalli County is located in the southwestern part of Montana. In 2010, about 40,212 people called it home. The main town here is Hamilton. Ravalli County is in a long valley surrounded by mountains. The Sapphire Mountains are on the east, and the Bitterroot Mountains are on the west.
This area is often called the Bitterroot Valley. It gets its name from the Bitterroot flower, which is Montana's state flower. This county is entirely on the side of the Pacific Ocean when you look at the Continental Divide. The Continental Divide is like a line that separates rivers flowing to the Pacific from those flowing to the Atlantic.
Flathead and Lake Counties: Fun and Nature
Flathead and Lake counties are some of the most popular places for outdoor fun in Glacier Country. They are also home to a big part of Glacier National Park. The main towns for shopping and business in this area are Kalispell and Whitefish.
Kalispell is the biggest business center for Northwest Montana. It has about 25,000 people, making it the second-largest city in Glacier Country. Whitefish is the third-largest city in this part of Montana. Its population has grown a lot in the last 10 years. You can fly into this area through Glacier Park International Airport.
Missoula: Montana's Cultural Heart
Missoula is the largest city in all of Western Montana and the second largest in the entire state. By 2009, Missoula had over 65,000 people, and its county had more than 100,000 residents. It's a major place for shopping and business in Western Montana, and it's also known as the cultural center of the state.
Missoula is home to the University of Montana, which is one of the state's largest universities. In 2010, over 15,000 students attended classes there. Missoula also has important local news sources like the Missoulian newspaper. You can fly into the city through the Missoula International Airport. Missoula even has a semi-professional baseball team called the Missoula Osprey.
Downtown Missoula is a busy and lively area, known as a great place to shop in Montana. Missoula's nickname is the Garden City. This is because it has many trees and green spaces. Also, winters in Missoula are usually a bit milder than in other parts of Montana.
Lincoln, Sanders, and Mineral Counties: Quiet Communities
Lincoln, Sanders, and Mineral counties are known for being quieter areas with smaller towns. Libby, Montana is the main town in Lincoln County. It has about 2,626 people. Thompson Falls, Montana is the main town in Sanders County, with a population of 1,321. Superior, Montana is the main town in Mineral County, and about 893 people live there. These counties offer a peaceful escape with beautiful natural surroundings.
Major Cities in Glacier Country
| City | Picture | City Population (2009) | Metro-Micro Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| Missoula | 64,081 | 108,623 (MSA) | |
| Kalispell | 28,965 | 85,314 | |
| Whitefish | 8,083 | 85,314 | |
| Polson | 4,041 | 85,314 | |
| Libby | 2,626 | 10,227 |
