The western state of Utah is one of the most picturesque and popular in America due to the diverse landscapes which transform it into a recreational paradise. The region
features the Rocky Mountains, the Colorado Plateau, and the Great Basin. It’s filled with red stone canyons and arches, sand dunes, arid deserts, pine forests, mountain valleys,
rivers, and sandstone.
It’s the 13th-largest state by size and 34th in population as it’s home to close to three million people. The capital and largest city is Salt Lake City, with other major
centers being Layton, West Valley City, Moab, Logan, Sandy, St. George, Park City, Ogden, and Provo. It was the 45th state to join the Union back in 1896. Utah was a Mexican territory
when the first pioneers arrived in 1847. It’s now a well-known Mormon area, but still has some Native American influences. However, there’s no legalized gambling and liquor sales are
controlled by the government.
The climate in Utah is basically dry and arid and can go through some pretty extreme temperatures. It can get very cold in winter and quite hot in the summers, other
than in the high mountains and valleys.
Some of the most beautiful and popular areas to visit include Zion National Park and Bryce Canyon National Park. Utah is also well-known as one of the world’s best
skiing regions, especially in the Wasatch Range, which was used when Salt Lake City hosted the Winter Olympic Games in 2002.
Moab is known as the state’s recreational center as it’s close to Canyonlands and Arches National Parks. These are ideal spots for rock climbing and hiking and just
taking in the amazing views that are offered. Ogden is also a pretty popular location as it’s home to a railroad center that houses several museums. Some other popular spots are
Monument Valley, the Bonneville Salt Flats, the Great Salt Lake, and Lake Powell.
There are quite a few cultural attractions held each year, such as the Sundance Film Festival, the DOCUTAH Film Festival, the Red Rock Film Festival, Temple Square and
the Utah Shakespearean Festival. Temple Square is one of the most popular in the country with about more than five million visitors a year.
One of the best ways to enjoy the beauty of the state is to drive around it via the fine road system. There’s a light rail system located in the Salt Lake Valley which
extends to Salt Lake City. There’s also a good bus system in place. If you’d like to fly in, the only international airport is in Salt Lake City. Once you’re there, you’ll have no
problem finding some great accommodations and restaurants as there are plenty of both in all price ranges.
There is an NBA basketball team in the state, named the Utah Jazz, who play in Salt Lake City. The MLS Real Salt Lake soccer team is based in Sandy. There are quite a
few minor-league baseball teams to support as well as a hockey team. College sports are big, with six universities competing in the NCAA’s Division I. Visitors who are into outdoor
sports, can head to the mountains for camping,
Utah offer visitors of all ages and interests a land full of natural beauty and recreational activities to go along with its rich history.
About Utah