Changes

The eastern 60% of the state is flat prairie and is slowly losing popualtion, It is filled with cattle ranches, wheat farms, and oil and gas wells. The leading city is [[Billings]], a medical and commercial center.  The climate is especially harsh in the wintertime.

The eastern 60% of the state is flat prairie and is slowly losing popualtion, It is filled with cattle ranches, wheat farms, and oil and gas wells. The leading city is [[Billings]], a medical and commercial center.  The climate is especially harsh in the wintertime.

The western 40% is mountainous and is growing rapidly.  Its economy is based on tourism and retirement centers, with [[Yellowstone National Park]] and [[Glacier National Park]] as prime attractions.  The old copper minining industry that made [[Butte]] notorious has disappeared, and the logging industry is fading in importance. The very long border with Canada is becoming economically important, as oil from [[Alberta]] is nrought by pipeline to refineries in Billings and points as far south as Houston.  

The western 40% is mountainous and is growing rapidly in population.  Its economy is based on tourism and retirement centers, with [[Yellowstone National Park]] and [[Glacier National Park]] as prime attractions.  The old [[copper]] mining industry that made [[Butte]] notorious has disappeared, and the logging industry is fading in importance. The very long border with Canada is becoming economically important, as oil from [[Alberta]] is brought by pipeline to refineries in Billings and to points as far south as Houston.

 

==Energy==

==Energy==

[[File:Mt-oil.jpg|thumb|350px]]Montana is rich in fossil fuel resources and renewable energy potential. Its geologic basins hold more than one-fourth of the Nation’s estimated recoverable coal reserves. Montana’s eastern basins also hold large deposits of oil and gas. Rivers flowing from Montana’s Rocky Mountains offer substantial hydroelectric power resources. Montana contains considerable wind energy potential throughout the State.<ref> See [http://tonto.eia.doe.gov/state/state_energy_profiles.cfm?sid=MT Energy Information Administration, State Report 2009]</ref>  Strong environmental interests (based in the western part of the state where there is little energy) have largely blocked the mining of coal and gas and are trying to stop pipelines from Canada. They instead want biofuels and wind power, which have not been profitable.  

[[File:Mt-oil.jpg|thumb|350px]]Montana is rich in fossil fuel resources and renewable energy potential. Its geologic basins hold more than one-fourth of the Nation’s estimated recoverable coal reserves. Montana’s eastern basins also hold large deposits of oil and gas. Rivers flowing from Montana’s Rocky Mountains offer substantial hydroelectric power resources. Montana contains considerable wind energy potential throughout the State.<ref> See [http://tonto.eia.doe.gov/state/state_energy_profiles.cfm?sid=MT Energy Information Administration, State Report 2009]</ref>  Strong environmental interests (based in the western part of the state where there is little energy) have largely blocked the mining of coal and gas and are trying to stop pipelines from Canada. They instead want biofuels and wind power, which have not been profitable.