The people of Utah do not seem to mind the t-shirts that say “Utah – But I tahler” and life in the 45th state continues with its homogeneous religious background, bringing in tourists for many of its famous attractions. The state was host to the 2002 Winter Olympic games and skiers flock to the northern part of the state to the Wasatch Range for its skiing.

Five national parks in the southern part of the state attracts visitors as well as the Bonneville Salt Flats for the land speed record trials and the many attempts at setting new land speed records. The Great Salt Lake, which is the largest salt lake in the western hemisphere, is the 33rd largest lake on the planet. It is believed to be left over from prehistoric times when it covered most of western Utah. It is considered a terminal lake in that it has to outlet and the water has nowhere to go except for evaporation.

It is due to this lack of water flow that the lake has a high salt concentration and people can easily float on the surface. It has an average depth of only 33 feet with a record high of 45 feet in 1987 and record low 24 feet in 1963. Although sometimes referred to as a dead lake it is home to waterfowl, shorebirds and brine shrimp. It is also home to a Chilean Flamingo, called Pink Floyd.

The Sundance Film Festival and the Utah Shakespearean Festival are some of the highlights of the state’s cultural heritage. Visitors also travel to Utah to see the Bridal Veil Falls in Provo Canyon between Orem and Heber City. The five state parks Arches, Bryce Canyon Canyonlands, Capitol Reef and Zion attract visitors by the thousands each year.

Obviously, salt production is one of Utah’s industries however the Kennecott Copper Mine is one of the largest open pit mines in the country. Mining is also done for gold, silver, zinc, lead, and beryllium. Near Salt Lake City petroleum refining is big business and in central Utah coal mining plays an important role in the state’s economy. In addition to mining and salt production, other major industries include cattle ranching, information services and government services.

The state reports that about 62 percent are members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and has a great influence on its culture and daily living. Its geography is about as diverse as its religion with mountainous regions in the north with thriving pine forests as well as the Colorado plateau and sand dunes in addition to the salt flats. The name Utah is from the language of the Ute Indians and translates to People of the Mountains.