BULLETIN UNIVERSITY OF MONTANA. 



Montana. 



Montana lies between the parallels of 49 degrees and 44 degrees 15 

 minutes north latitude, and extends from 104 degrees to 116 degrees west 

 longitude. The form of the state is nearly a parallelogram, being about 

 540 miles in length with an average width of 275 miles. 



The surface of the state is generally mountainous. The main range 

 of the Rocky mountains, with numerous spurs, traverses the western part 

 in a direction northwest to southeast; between these are many beautiful 

 and extensive valleys, which cover nearly three-fourths of its area. The 

 northeastern fourth is a high, rolling prairie country, covered with nu- 

 tritious grasses. A considerable portion of the country between the Mis- 

 souri and Yellowstone rivers is occupied by the Mauvaises Terres. 



The average elevation of the surface is about 4,000 feet above the 

 level of the sea. The elevation of the eastern third of the state is less 

 than 3,000 feet, while that of the mountains and foothills in the western 

 part of the state is from 4,000 to 10,000 feet. The highest peak is above 

 12,000 feet. The surface rises westward at the rate of about eight feet 

 per mile. 



This state has extremes of climate. Many sections of the state ex- 

 perience severe northern blizzards, others have delightful summers, still 

 others hot deserts. Lovely lakes lie in the north, dry treeless plains In 

 the east, almost devoid of vegetation. The western slopes with their 

 copious rainfall afford a climate moist and warm. To the south are 

 mountains capped with snow. Between these are many grand canyons. 



