Utah, the 11th largest state in size, is located in the western part of the United States. It is bordered by Idaho in the north, Wyoming in the north and east, Colorado in the east, New Mexico in the southeast, Arizona in the south, and Nevada in the West. Its capital and largest city is Salt Lake City. The state got its name from “Ute”, a Native American word that means people from the mountains. The state is also known by its nickname, The Beehive State.

However, Utah is basically known as the center of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints or the Mormons. Sixty percent of the state’s population are members of the church where the majority are concentrated in the rural areas. The Mormon majority holds sway in politics and policy, with some laws reflecting the church’s views such as those that pertain to alcohol and gambling. The Church’s conservative views are also reflected in the party affiliation wherein voters in the state are mostly Republican.

Utah has numerous ski resorts that are popular tourist draws. Aside from skiing, visitors can visit the Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area, the Timpanogos Cave National Monument, Pineview Reservoir, East Canyon, and Rockport reservoirs for camping, rock-climbing, or hiking.

Recently, a major prehistoric find was excavated. In Southeast Utah, paleontologists unearthed an array of well-preserved dinosaur bones, petrified trees, and freshwater clams. The scientists who performed the excavations noted that the fossils were extremely well preserved, thus enabling them to extrapolate how life was in the region many years ago.