Jump to content

Regions of Montana: Difference between revisions

Add links
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous edit
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
mNo edit summary
Tag: Reverted
m Reywas92 moved page Regional designations of Montana to Regions of Montana over redirect: simpler name
 
(4 intermediate revisions by 3 users not shown)
Line 2: Line 2:


[[File:Flag of Montana.svg|thumb|right|250px|Montana State Flag]]
[[File:Flag of Montana.svg|thumb|right|250px|Montana State Flag]]
The '''Regional designations of Montana''' vary widely within the [[United States|U.S]] state of [[Montana]]. The state is a large geographical area ({{convert|147,046|sqmi|km2}}) that is split by the [[Continental Divide]], resulting in [[Drainage basin|watersheds]] draining into the [[Pacific Ocean]], [[Gulf of Mexico]] and [[Canada Hudson Bay drainage|Hudson's Bay]]. The state is approximately {{convert|545|mi|km}} east to west along the [[Canada–United States border]] and {{convert|320|mi|km}} north to south. The fourth largest state in land area, it has been divided up in official and unofficial ways into a variety of regions. Additionally, [[Montana]] is part of a number of larger federal government administrative regions.
The '''Regional designations of Montana''' vary widely within the [[United States|U.S]] state of [[Montana]]. The state is a large geographical area ({{convert|147,046|sqmi|km2}}) that is split by the [[Continental Divide]], resulting in [[Drainage basin|watersheds]] draining into the [[Pacific Ocean]], [[Gulf of Mexico]] and [[Canada Hudson Bay drainage|Hudson's Bay]]. The state is approximately {{convert|545|mi|km}} east to west along the [[Canada–United States border]] and {{convert|320|mi|km}} north to south. The fourth largest state in land area, it has been divided up in official and unofficial ways into a variety of regions. Additionally, Montana is part of a number of larger federal government administrative regions.


==Unofficial designations==
==Unofficial designations==
Line 11: Line 11:
*Central Montana, with varying definitions.
*Central Montana, with varying definitions.
* The [[Hi-Line (Montana)|Hi-Line]], a region of northern Montana close to the [[Canada–United States border]] along which runs the main line of the [[Great Northern Railway (U.S.)|Great Northern Railway]] and [[U.S. Highway 2]].<ref>{{cite book |last=Vichorek |first=Daniel N. |title=The Hi-Line, Profiles of a Montana Land |publisher=American World and Geographic Publishing |location=Helena, Montana |year=1993 |isbn=1-56037-021-1 |page=7}}</ref>
* The [[Hi-Line (Montana)|Hi-Line]], a region of northern Montana close to the [[Canada–United States border]] along which runs the main line of the [[Great Northern Railway (U.S.)|Great Northern Railway]] and [[U.S. Highway 2]].<ref>{{cite book |last=Vichorek |first=Daniel N. |title=The Hi-Line, Profiles of a Montana Land |publisher=American World and Geographic Publishing |location=Helena, Montana |year=1993 |isbn=1-56037-021-1 |page=7}}</ref>
*The "Golden Triangle," an area noted for grain growing, outlined by the cities of Havre, Conrad and Great Falls.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://americanprofile.com/articles/montanas-golden-triangle/|title=Montana’s Golden Triangle|website=American Profile|access-date=7 January 2015}}</ref>
*The "Golden Triangle," an area noted for grain growing, outlined by the cities of [[Havre, Montana|Havre]], [[Conrad, Montana|Conrad]] and [[Great Falls, Montana|Great Falls]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://americanprofile.com/articles/montanas-golden-triangle/|title=Montana’s Golden Triangle|website=American Profile|access-date=7 January 2015}}</ref>
* [[Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem]], which includes all or parts of Gallatin and Custer National Forests in addition to Yellowstone National Park
* [[Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem]], which includes all or parts of [[Gallatin National Forest|Gallatin]] and [[Custer National Forest|Custer National Forests]] in addition to [[Yellowstone National Park]]
* [[Many Glacier]], is a region within [[Glacier National Park (U.S.)|Glacier National Park]]. The region is located north of the [[Going-to-the-Sun Road]], on the east side of the park.
* [[Many Glacier]], is a region within [[Glacier National Park (U.S.)|Glacier National Park]]. The region is located north of the [[Going-to-the-Sun Road]], on the east side of the park.
* [[49th parallel north#History|Medicine Line]], the name given the 49th parallel border between the U.S. and Canada between [[Lake of the Woods]] and the continental divide by [[Native Americans in the United States|Native Americans]] because of its seemingly magical ability to prevent U.S. soldiers from crossing it.<ref>{{cite book |last=Rees |first=Tony |title=Arc of the Medicine Line-Mapping the World's Longest Undefended Border Across the Western Plains |publisher=University of Nebraska Press |location=Lincoln, NE |year=2007 |isbn=978-0-8032-1791-1 |page=5}}</ref>
* [[49th parallel north#History|Medicine Line]], the name given the 49th parallel border between the U.S. and Canada between [[Lake of the Woods]] and the continental divide by [[Native Americans in the United States|Native Americans]] because of its seemingly magical ability to prevent U.S. soldiers from crossing it.<ref>{{cite book |last=Rees |first=Tony |title=Arc of the Medicine Line-Mapping the World's Longest Undefended Border Across the Western Plains |publisher=University of Nebraska Press |location=Lincoln, NE |year=2007 |isbn=978-0-8032-1791-1 |page=5}}</ref>
Line 46: Line 46:


===Bureau of Indian Affairs agencies===
===Bureau of Indian Affairs agencies===
Montana east of the continental divide and [[Wyoming]] make up the Rocky Mountain Region of the [[Bureau of Indian Affairs]] (BIA) which includes the following Indian agencies in Montana.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bia.gov/groups/webteam/documents/interactiveresource/idc-002651.swf |title=Indian Affairs-Rocky Mountain Region |publisher=U.S. Department of the Interior |access-date=2011-05-29 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110228190612/http://www.bia.gov/groups/webteam/documents/interactiveresource/idc-002651.swf |archive-date=2011-02-28 }}</ref>
Montana east of the continental divide and Wyoming make up the Rocky Mountain Region of the [[Bureau of Indian Affairs]] (BIA) which includes the following Indian agencies in Montana.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bia.gov/groups/webteam/documents/interactiveresource/idc-002651.swf |title=Indian Affairs-Rocky Mountain Region |publisher=U.S. Department of the Interior |access-date=2011-05-29 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110228190612/http://www.bia.gov/groups/webteam/documents/interactiveresource/idc-002651.swf |archive-date=2011-02-28 }}</ref>
* Blackfeet Agency, services the [[Blackfeet Indian Reservation]] in [[Glacier County, Montana|Glacier]] and [[Pondera County, Montana|Pondera]] Counties.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bia.gov/WhoWeAre/RegionalOffices/RockyMountain/WeAre/Blackfeet/index.htm |title=Blackfeet Agency |access-date=2011-06-07}}</ref>
* Blackfeet Agency, services the [[Blackfeet Indian Reservation]] in [[Glacier County, Montana|Glacier]] and [[Pondera County, Montana|Pondera]] Counties.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bia.gov/WhoWeAre/RegionalOffices/RockyMountain/WeAre/Blackfeet/index.htm |title=Blackfeet Agency |access-date=2011-06-07}}</ref>
* Crow Agency, services the [[Crow Indian Reservation]] in [[Big Horn County, Montana|Big Horn]], [[Yellowstone County, Montana|Yellowstone]], and [[Treasure County, Montana|Treasure]] counties.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bia.gov/WhoWeAre/RegionalOffices/RockyMountain/WeAre/Crow/index.htm |title=Crow Agency |access-date=2011-06-07}}</ref>
* Crow Agency, services the [[Crow Indian Reservation]] in [[Big Horn County, Montana|Big Horn]], [[Yellowstone County, Montana|Yellowstone]], and [[Treasure County, Montana|Treasure]] counties.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bia.gov/WhoWeAre/RegionalOffices/RockyMountain/WeAre/Crow/index.htm |title=Crow Agency |access-date=2011-06-07}}</ref>
Line 83: Line 83:


==Climate regions==
==Climate regions==
In the [[Köppen climate classification]] system, Montana is predominantly a [[BSk]] (Semi-arid or Steppe) climate, with the Mountainous areas, mostly in the western parts of the state, listed as Dfb ([[Humid continental climate|humid continental]]). Areas near [[Granite Peak]] and the highest elevations in Glacier National Park are [[Köppen climate classification#GROUP D: Continental.2Fmicrothermal climates|Dfc]] ([[Subarctic climate|Continental subarctic]]), and a small area in the northwestern corner of the state near the Idaho border listed as [[Köppen climate classification#GROUP D: Continental.2Fmicrothermal climates|Dsb]] (Warm summer continental).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://koeppen-geiger.vu-wien.ac.at/usa.htm|title=World Maps of Köppen-Geiger climate classification|website=koeppen-geiger.vu-wien.ac.at}}</ref> The [[United States Department of Agriculture]] places most of Montana in [[Hardiness zone#USDA hardiness zones|Plant Hardiness Zone]]s 3 and 4, with limited areas in zone 5 with a small sliver of the state centered in Sanders County in zone 6. These zone boundaries correspond closely to the Köppen classifications.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://planthardiness.ars.usda.gov/PHZMWeb/#|title=USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map|website=planthardiness.ars.usda.gov}}</ref> For purposes of the 2009 [[International Energy Conservation Code]], which provides minimum insulation standards for home construction based on climate, the entire state is classified in climate zone 6, requiring higher levels of insulation than are recommended in more temperate climates.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://energycode.pnl.gov/EnergyCodeReqs/?state=Montana|title=2009 IECC Climate Zone Map - Montana|website=energycode.pnl.gov}}</ref>
In the [[Köppen climate classification]] system, Montana is predominantly a [[BSk]] (Semi-arid or Steppe) climate, with the Mountainous areas, mostly in the western parts of the state, listed as Dfb ([[Humid continental climate|humid continental]]). Areas near [[Granite Peak]] and the highest elevations in Glacier National Park are [[Köppen climate classification#Group D: Continental/microthermal climates|Dfc]] ([[Subarctic climate|Continental subarctic]]), and a small area in the northwestern corner of the state near the Idaho border listed as [[Köppen climate classification#Group D: Continental/microthermal climates|Dsb]] (Warm summer continental).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://koeppen-geiger.vu-wien.ac.at/usa.htm|title=World Maps of Köppen-Geiger climate classification|website=koeppen-geiger.vu-wien.ac.at}}</ref> The [[United States Department of Agriculture]] places most of Montana in [[Hardiness zone#USDA hardiness zones|Plant Hardiness Zone]]s 3 and 4, with limited areas in zone 5 with a small sliver of the state centered in Sanders County in zone 6. These zone boundaries correspond closely to the Köppen classifications.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://planthardiness.ars.usda.gov/PHZMWeb/#|title=USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map|website=planthardiness.ars.usda.gov}}</ref> For purposes of the 2009 [[International Energy Conservation Code]], which provides minimum insulation standards for home construction based on climate, the entire state is classified in climate zone 6, requiring higher levels of insulation than are recommended in more temperate climates.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://energycode.pnl.gov/EnergyCodeReqs/?state=Montana|title=2009 IECC Climate Zone Map - Montana|website=energycode.pnl.gov}}</ref>


==Notes==
==Notes==

Latest revision as of 15:19, 2 October 2024

Montana State Flag

The Regional designations of Montana vary widely within the U.S state of Montana. The state is a large geographical area (147,046 square miles (380,850 km2)) that is split by the Continental Divide, resulting in watersheds draining into the Pacific Ocean, Gulf of Mexico and Hudson's Bay. The state is approximately 545 miles (877 km) east to west along the Canada–United States border and 320 miles (510 km) north to south. The fourth largest state in land area, it has been divided up in official and unofficial ways into a variety of regions. Additionally, Montana is part of a number of larger federal government administrative regions.

Unofficial designations

[edit]

Various parts of Montana have been given a number of formal and informal names, including:

Official state regions

[edit]

Tourism regions

[edit]

The Montana Official Travel Site (visitmt.com) has designated six distinct regions in the state for travel promotion.[4]

Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks regions

[edit]

The Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks has designated seven administrative regions for the purposes of fish, wildlife and parks management.[11]

Federal government regions

[edit]

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

[edit]

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service includes Montana in the Mountain-Prairie region which includes Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah, and Wyoming.[19]

Bureau of Indian Affairs agencies

[edit]

Montana east of the continental divide and Wyoming make up the Rocky Mountain Region of the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) which includes the following Indian agencies in Montana.[20]

Bureau of Land Management

[edit]

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) includes Montana with North and South Dakota in its Montana-Dakotas region. The BLM administers Montana through nine regional field offices.[27]

  • Billings office
  • Butte office
  • Dillon office
  • Glasgow office
  • Havre office
  • Lewistown office
  • Malta office
  • Miles City office
  • Missoula office

National Weather Service

[edit]

Montana is part of the Western Region of the U.S. Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's National Weather Service (NWS). The NWS maintains four regional offices in Montana.[28]

  • Billings
  • Glasgow
  • Great Falls
  • Missoula

The NWS designates regional weather reports originating from these offices as Southeastern Montana, Northeastern Montana, Central Montana and Western Montana/Central Idaho.[29]

Social Security Administration

[edit]

Montana is included in the Denver Region of the Social Security Administration along with Colorado, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wyoming and Utah.[30]

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

[edit]

Montana is included in the Omaha District of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Northwestern Division.[31]

Climate regions

[edit]

In the Köppen climate classification system, Montana is predominantly a BSk (Semi-arid or Steppe) climate, with the Mountainous areas, mostly in the western parts of the state, listed as Dfb (humid continental). Areas near Granite Peak and the highest elevations in Glacier National Park are Dfc (Continental subarctic), and a small area in the northwestern corner of the state near the Idaho border listed as Dsb (Warm summer continental).[32] The United States Department of Agriculture places most of Montana in Plant Hardiness Zones 3 and 4, with limited areas in zone 5 with a small sliver of the state centered in Sanders County in zone 6. These zone boundaries correspond closely to the Köppen classifications.[33] For purposes of the 2009 International Energy Conservation Code, which provides minimum insulation standards for home construction based on climate, the entire state is classified in climate zone 6, requiring higher levels of insulation than are recommended in more temperate climates.[34]

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ Vichorek, Daniel N. (1993). The Hi-Line, Profiles of a Montana Land. Helena, Montana: American World and Geographic Publishing. p. 7. ISBN 1-56037-021-1.
  2. ^ "Montana's Golden Triangle". American Profile. Retrieved 7 January 2015.
  3. ^ Rees, Tony (2007). Arc of the Medicine Line-Mapping the World's Longest Undefended Border Across the Western Plains. Lincoln, NE: University of Nebraska Press. p. 5. ISBN 978-0-8032-1791-1.
  4. ^ "Montana Official Travel Site-Regions". Retrieved 2011-06-07.
  5. ^ "Custer Country, Montana". Retrieved 2011-06-13.
  6. ^ "Glacier Country, Montana". Retrieved 2011-06-11.
  7. ^ "Gold West Country Communities". Retrieved 2011-06-07.
  8. ^ "Montana's Missouri River Country". Retrieved 2011-06-11.
  9. ^ "Montana's Russell Country-Area Map". Retrieved 2011-06-07.
  10. ^ "Montana's Yellowstone Country-Map of Region". Archived from the original on 2012-03-07. Retrieved 2011-06-07.
  11. ^ "Fish and Wildlife Regions". Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks. Retrieved 2011-05-29.
  12. ^ "FWP Region 1". Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks. Retrieved 2011-05-31.
  13. ^ "FWP Region 2". Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks. Retrieved 2011-06-07.
  14. ^ "FWP Region 3". Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks. Retrieved 2011-06-07.
  15. ^ "FWP Region 4". Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks. Retrieved 2011-06-07.
  16. ^ "FWP Region 5". Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks. Retrieved 2011-06-10.
  17. ^ "FWP Region 6". Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks. Retrieved 2011-06-10.
  18. ^ "FWP Region 7". Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks. Retrieved 2011-06-10.
  19. ^ "Mountain-Prairie Region". U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Retrieved 2011-05-29.
  20. ^ "Indian Affairs-Rocky Mountain Region". U.S. Department of the Interior. Archived from the original on 2011-02-28. Retrieved 2011-05-29.
  21. ^ "Blackfeet Agency". Retrieved 2011-06-07.
  22. ^ "Crow Agency". Retrieved 2011-06-07.
  23. ^ "Fort Belknap Agency". Retrieved 2011-06-07.
  24. ^ "Fort Peck Agency". Retrieved 2011-06-07.
  25. ^ "Northern Cheyenne Agency". Retrieved 2011-06-07.
  26. ^ "Rocky Boy's Agency". Retrieved 2011-06-07.
  27. ^ "Montana-Dakotas". U.S. Department of Interior. Retrieved 2011-05-29.
  28. ^ "NOAA NWS Offices and Centers". Retrieved 2011-06-07.
  29. ^ "National Maps - NOAA's National Weather Service". Retrieved 7 January 2015.
  30. ^ "Denver Region". Social Security Administration. Retrieved 2011-06-11.
  31. ^ "U.S. Army Corps of Engineers-Northwestern Division". Archived from the original on 2012-01-13. Retrieved 2011-06-11.
  32. ^ "World Maps of Köppen-Geiger climate classification". koeppen-geiger.vu-wien.ac.at.
  33. ^ "USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map". planthardiness.ars.usda.gov.
  34. ^ "2009 IECC Climate Zone Map - Montana". energycode.pnl.gov.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/enwiki/w/index.php?title=Regions_of_Montana&oldid=1248982413"