Wyoming Facts and Symbols

State Capital, Nickname, Motto, Date Admitted to the Union, Size, Annual Precipitation, Population and other information.

Capital

Cheyenne

Nickname

Big Wyoming, Cowboy State, Equality State

Motto

Equal Rights

Admitted to Union

July 10, 1890 - 44th State

Size

97,914 square miles, 9th largest state

Highest Point

Gannett Peak, 13,804 feet

Lowest Point

3,100 feet Belle Fourche River

Average Annual Precipitation

14.5 inches

Population (2010 Census)

563,626

State Flag

The Wyoming State Flag, designed by Mrs. A.C. Keyes of Casper (formerly Miss Verna Keays of Buffalo), was adopted by the fourteenth legislature on January 31, 1917.

The Great Seal of Wyoming is the heart of the flag. On the bison, once the monarch of the plains, is the seal representing the custom of branding. The colors of the State Flag are the same as those of the National Flag. The red border represents the Indian; also the blood of the pioneers who gave their lives reclaiming the soil. White is the emblem of purity and uprightness over Wyoming. Blue, the color of the sky and mountains, is symbolic of fidelity, justice and virility.

State Seal

The Great Seal of the State of Wyoming was adopted by the second legislature in 1893, revised by the sixteenth legislature in 1921. The two dates on the Great Seal, 1869 and 1890 commemorate the organization of the Territorial government and Wyoming's admission to the Union. The draped figure in the center holds a staff from which flows a banner bearing the words, "Equal Rights," and symbolizes the political status women have always enjoyed in Wyoming. The male figures typify the livestock and mining industries of the state. The number 44 on the five-pointed star signifies that Wyoming was the 44th state admitted to the Union. On top of the pillars rest lamps from which burn the Light of Knowledge. Scrolls encircling the two pillars bear the words, Oil, Mines, Livestock, and Grain, four of Wyoming's major industries.

State Bucking Horse

The Bucking Horse & Rider (BH&R) is a Federally and State registered trademark of the State of Wyoming. The BH&R trademark boasts a rich tradition, for both the State of Wyoming and the University of Wyoming; a tradition which spans nearly one hundred years. People far and wide have come to associate this image with Wyoming.

Please click here for information about the Bucking Horse.

State Flower

Indian Paintbrush

(Castilleja linariaefolia)

Adopted:

January 31, 1917

State Mammal

Bison

(Bison bison)

Adopted:

February 23, 1985

State Bird

Meadowlark

(Sturnella Neglecta)

Adopted:

February 5, 1927

State Tree

Plains Cottonwood

(Populus sargentii)

Adopted:

February 1, 1947

Amended: 1961

State Gemstone

Jade

(Nephrite)

Adopted:

January 25, 1967

State Fish

Cutthroat Trout

(Salmo clarki)

Adopted:

February 18, 1987

State Reptile

Horned Toad

(Douglassi brevirostre)

Adopted:

February 18, 1993

State Fossil

Knightia

Adopted:

February 18, 1987

State Dinosaur

Triceratops

Adopted:

March 18, 1994

State Coin

Golden Sacajawea Dollar

Adopted:

March 2, 2004

State Sport

Rodeo

Adopted:

2003

State Grass

Western Wheat Grass

Adopted:

2007

State Insect

Sheridan's Green Hairstreak Butterfly

(Callophrys sheridanii)

Adopted:

July 1, 2009

State Code

Code of the West

Adopted:

July 1, 2010

State Songs

Wyoming

Adopted: February 15, 1955

Lyrics by C.E. Winter

Music by G.E. Knapp

I

In the far and mighty West, Where the crimson sun seeks rest, There's a growing splendid State that lies above, On the breast of this great land; Where the massive Rockies stand, There's Wyoming young and strong, the State I love!

Chorus

Wyoming, Wyoming! Land of the sunlight clear! Wyoming, Wyoming! Land that we hold so dear! Wyoming, Wyoming! Precious art thou and thine! Wyoming, Wyoming! Beloved State of mine!

II

In the flowers wild and sweet, Colors rare and perfumes meet; There's the columbine so pure, the daisy too, Wild the rose and red it springs, White the button and its rings, Thou art loyal for they're red and white and blue,

III

Where thy peaks with crowned head, Rising till the sky they wed, Sit like snow queens ruling wood and stream and plain; 'Neath thy granite bases deep, 'Neath thy bosom's broadened sweep, Lie the riches that have gained and brought thee fame.

IV

Other treasures thou dost hold, Men and women thou dost mould, True and earnest are the lives that thou dost raise, Strength thy children thou dost teach, Nature's truth thou givest to each, Free and noble are thy workings and thy ways.

V

In the nation's banner free There's one star that has for me A radiance pure and splendor like the sun; Mine it is, Wyoming's star, Home it leads me near or far; O Wyoming! All my heart and love you've won!

Wyoming Where I Belong

Adopted: July 1, 2018

Music and Lyrics by Annie Smith and Amy Smith

I

Let the rivers flow through the Big Horn Mountains, Hear the mighty winds blow across the western plains, Oh take me home where I belong, Wyoming, Wyoming, where I belong.

II

The Black Hills rise over Thunder Basin, The Sweet water runs across the Great Divide, The wind rivers sweep into the North Platte Valley, Wyoming, Wyoming, where I belong. Wyoming, Wyoming, where I belong.

III

A spirit calls to us from the High Absarokas, The Snake River roars where the eagle soars, Oh save this land, save it for our children, Wyoming, Wyoming, where I belong. Wyoming, Wyoming, where I belong. Wyoming, Wyoming, Wyoming, Wyoming, where I belong.

License plates in the State of Wyoming feature the "Bucking Horse", which originally appeared on the plates in 1936. The number on the far left of the license plate represents the county from which the plate was issued. The numbers were assigned to counties according to their total county property valuation.

1. Natrona

2. Laramie

3. Sheridan

4. Sweetwater

5. Albany

6. Carbon

7. Goshen

8. Platte

9. Big Horn

10. Fremont

11. Park

12. Lincoln