The Empty States of America: Montana, The Dakotas, Wyoming, and their Canadian Counterparts

🏞️Montana, The Dakotas, and Wyoming are some of the least populated states in the US due to their vast areas, harsh climates, and geographical challenges.

💡Montana has the fourth lowest population density in America, with only about 2.9 people per square kilometer.

🚫There are no big cities or towns in Montana, with only Billings having a population exceeding 100,000 people.

🌍Despite being sparsely populated, Montana, The Dakotas, and Wyoming are more populated than their respective American counterparts in terms of land area in Canada.

💧The lack of moisture-rich winds penetrating into the continental interior and the Rocky Mountains have contributed to the dry and windy environments in these states.

Why are Montana, The Dakotas, and Wyoming so sparsely populated?

—These states have harsh climates, large areas of uninhabitable land, and geographical challenges such as the Rocky Mountains, making it difficult for large populations to thrive.

Are there any big cities in Montana?

—No, the largest city in Montana is Billings, with a population of approximately 117,000 people. It is the only settlement in the state with a population exceeding 100,000.

How is the population density in Montana?

—Montana has a population density of about 2.9 people per square kilometer, making it one of the least densely populated states in America.

Are there any large cities in the surrounding states?

—There are no large cities in the surrounding states of North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wyoming. The largest cities in these states have populations barely surpassing 100,000 people.

Why is the population density higher in the Canadian counterparts of Montana, The Dakotas, and Wyoming?

—The Canadian counterparts benefit from different geographic factors, such as the Canadian Shield, which provides more favorable conditions for settlement and agriculture.

00:00Montana, The Dakotas, and Wyoming are some of the least populated states in America due to their vast areas, harsh climates, and geographical challenges.

06:26The 998th meridian divides the wet and humid environment in the east of the United States from the dry and arid environment in the west.

09:55The Canadian Shield, comprising nearly half of Canada, has influenced settlement patterns and population density in the country.

10:49Historical factors, including the absence of extensive resource wealth, have contributed to the lower development and population density in Montana, The Dakotas, and Wyoming.