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Utah (pronounced /ˈjuːtɔː/ or /ˈjuːtɑː/ (help·info) ) is a western state of the United States. It was the 45th state admitted to the Union, on January 4, 1896. Approximately 80% of Utah's 2,736,424 people live along the Wasatch Front, centering on Salt Lake City. This leaves vast expanses of the state nearly uninhabited, making the population the sixth most urbanized in the U.S. The name "Utah" is derived from the Ute language, meaning "people of the mountains." Utah is bordered by Arizona on the south, Colorado on the east, Wyoming on the northeast, Idaho on the north and Nevada on the west. It also touches a corner of New Mexico.

Utah is one of the most religiously homogeneous states in the Union. Between 58% and 72% of Utahns are reported to be members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (also known as the LDS Church or Mormon Church), which greatly influences Utah culture and daily life.

The state is a center of transportation, information technology and research, government services, mining, and a major tourist destination for outdoor recreation. According to the U.S. Census Bureau's population estimates, Utah was the fastest growing state in the United States as of 2008. St. George, Utah was the fastest growing metropolitan area in the United States from 2000–2005.

The center of population of Utah is located in Utah County in the city of Lehi. As of July 1, 2008 the Census Bureau estimated Utah had a population of 2,736,424. In 2008, the US Census Bureau determined Utah to be the fastest growing state in the country in terms of population growth.

Much of the population lives in cities and towns along the Wasatch Front, a metropolitan region that runs north-south with the Wasatch Mountains rising on the eastern side. Growth outside the Wasatch Front is also increasing. The St. George metropolitan area is currently the second-fastest growing in the country after the Las Vegas metropolitan area, while the Heber micropolitan area is also the second-fastest growing in the country (behind Palm Coast, Florida).

Utah contains 5 metropolitan areas (Logan, Ogden-Clearfield, Salt Lake City, Provo-Orem, and St. George), and 5 micropolitan areas (Brigham City, Heber, Vernal, Price, and Cedar City).

Race and ancestry

Women's rights

Utah granted full voting rights to women in 1870, 26 years before becoming a state. Among all U.S. states, only Wyoming granted suffrage to women earlier. However, in 1872 the initial Edmunds-Tucker Act was passed by Congress in an effort to curtail excessive Mormon influence in the territorial government. One of the provisions of the Act was the repeal of women's suffrage; full suffrage was not returned until Utah was admitted to the Union in 1896. (See Women's suffrage in Utah.)

Utah is one of the 15 states that has not ratified the U.S. Equal Rights Amendment.

Constitution

The constitution of Utah was enacted in 1895. Notably, the constitution outlawed polygamy, as requested by Congress when Utah had applied for statehood, and reestablished the territorial practice of women's suffrage. Utah's Constitution has been amended many times since its inception.

Other laws

Utah is also one of only 2 states in the United States to outlaw all forms of gambling; the other is Hawaii. Utah is an alcoholic beverage control state. The Utah Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control regulates the sale of alcohol; wine and spirituous liquors may only be purchased at state liquor stores, and local laws may prohibit the sale of beer and other alcoholic beverages on Sundays. The state bans the sale of fruity alcoholic drinks at grocery stores and convenience stores. The law states that such drinks must now have new state-approved labels on the front of the products that contain capitalized letters in bold type telling consumers the drinks contain alcohol and at what percentage.

Politics

Colleges and universities

Main article: List of colleges and universities in UtahMain articles: Outline of Utah and Index of Utah-related articles

References

1. ^ "Utah - Definition from the Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary". Merriam-Webster, Inc. . http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Utah .  
2. ^ ^{a b c} "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for the United States, Regions, States, and Puerto Rico: April 1, 2000 to July 1, 2008". United States Census Bureau . http://www.census.gov/popest/states/tables/NST-EST2008-01.csv . Retrieved 2009-02-05 .  
3. ^ ^{a b c} "Elevations and Distances in the United States". U.S Geological Survey. 29 April 2005 . http://erg.usgs.gov/isb/pubs/booklets/elvadist/elvadist.html#Highest . Retrieved 2006-11-08 .  
4. ^ Arave, Lynn (2006-08-31). "Utah's basement—Beaver Dam Wash is state's lowest elevation". Deseret Morning News . http://deseretnews.com/dn/view/0,1249,645197370,00.html . Retrieved 2007-03-08 .  
5. ^ "Introduction". QGET Databook . http://governor.utah.gov/dea/QGET/DataBook/4.htm . Retrieved August 27, 2009 .  
6. ^ Utah Quick Facts at Utah.gov
7. ^ ^{a b} U.S. Religious Landscape Survey 2008 , the Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life, pp 99-100. Accessed 2008-07-02
8. ^ LDS Church reports its membership records
9. ^ "Utah is Fastest-Growing State". U.S. Census Bureau. December 22, 2008 . http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/population/013049.html . Retrieved April 29, 2009 .  
10. ^ "Appendix E. - Ranking Tables". State and Metropolitan Area Data Book: 2006 (U.S. Census Bureau). December 22, 2008 . http://www.census.gov/prod/2006pubs/smadb/smadb-06appe.pdf . Retrieved April 29, 2009 .  
11. ^ Leonard J. Arrington and Davis Bitton: The Mormon Experience , page 22. Vintage/Random House, 1979.
12. ^ William W. Slaughter and Michael Landon: Trail of Hope - The Story of the Mormon Trail. Shadow Mountain, 1997.
13. ^ Arrington and Bitton, p. 118
14. ^ William Clayton, edited by George D. Smith: "An Intimate Chronicle: The Journals
    
    

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