1. It is the 13th largest state in the U.S. by area, covering approximately 84,899 square miles.
2. Utah is known for its diverse geography, including deserts, forests, plateaus, and mountains.
3. The state's capital and largest city is Salt Lake City, which was founded in 1847 by Brigham Young.
4. Utah is often referred to as the "Beehive State" because of the beehive symbolizing industry and perseverance, traits associated with Mormon settlers.
5. The Great Salt Lake, located in northern Utah, is the largest saltwater lake in the Western Hemisphere.
6. Arches National Park, located near Moab in southeastern Utah, is home to over 2,000 natural sandstone arches.
7. Zion National Park, located in southwestern Utah, features towering sandstone cliffs, narrow slot canyons, and the Virgin River.
8. Bryce Canyon National Park, located in southern Utah, is famous for its unique rock formations called hoodoos.
9. Utah's state bird is the California gull, and its state flower is the sego lily.
10. Utah has a population of around 3.2 million people, making it the 30th most populous state in the U.S.
11. The state is home to the headquarters of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church), located in Salt Lake City.
12. Utah has a strong outdoor recreation industry, with activities such as skiing, snowboarding, hiking, mountain biking, and rock climbing attracting visitors from around the world.
13. The Sundance Film Festival, one of the largest independent film festivals in the United States, takes place annually in Park City, Utah.
14. The state's economy is diverse, with major industries including tourism, agriculture, mining, technology, and manufacturing.
15. Utah is one of the leading producers of copper, gold, silver, and molybdenum in the United States.
16. Salt Lake City hosted the 2002 Winter Olympics, which brought international attention to the state and boosted its tourism industry.
17. The Bonneville Salt Flats in western Utah are famous for their vast expanse of salt crust, which makes them ideal for land speed racing.
18. Utah has a high concentration of national parks, monuments, and forests, making it a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts.
19. The state experiences a semi-arid to desert climate, with hot summers and cold winters in most regions.
20. Utah's diverse wildlife includes species such as mule deer, elk, bighorn sheep, mountain lions, black bears, and various bird species.
21. The state has five national parks: Arches, Bryce Canyon, Canyonlands, Capitol Reef, and Zion.
22. The Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square, based in Salt Lake City, is one of the most famous and respected choirs in the world.
23. The Utah State Capitol, located in Salt Lake City, is home to the Utah State Legislature and the offices of the Governor and Lieutenant Governor.
24. The state's official animal is the Rocky Mountain elk, and its official tree is the blue spruce.
25. Utah is home to the largest open-pit mine in the world, the Bingham Canyon Mine, which produces copper, gold, and silver.
26. The state's name, "Utah," comes from the Ute Native American tribe and means "people of the mountains" in the Ute language.
27. The Transcontinental Railroad was completed in Utah in 1869, connecting the east and west coasts of the United States.
28. The Utah State Fair, held annually in Salt Lake City, showcases livestock exhibits, entertainment, carnival rides, and food vendors.
29. The state has several natural hot springs, including those in the town of Saratoga Springs and the Crystal Hot Springs near Honeyville.
30. The state has a thriving winter sports industry, with world-class ski resorts such as Park City Mountain Resort, Deer Valley Resort, and Snowbird.
31. Utah has the highest literacy rate of any U.S. state, with over 95% of its population being literate.
32. The Golden Spike National Historic Site in Promontory Summit commemorates the completion of the First Transcontinental Railroad.
33. Utah's official state cooking pot is the Dutch oven, reflecting the importance of pioneer cooking in the state's history.
34. The state is known for its stunning fall foliage, particularly in the mountains and canyons of northern Utah.
35. The Utah Shakespeare Festival, held annually in Cedar City, showcases performances of the Bard's plays in a replica Elizabethan theater.
36. The Utah Museum of Fine Arts, located on the campus of the University of Utah in Salt Lake City, houses a diverse collection of art from around the world.
37. The state's official fossil is the Allosaurus, a large carnivorous dinosaur that roamed Utah's ancient landscapes.
38. Utah is home to numerous Native American archaeological sites, including rock art panels, cliff dwellings, and ancient settlements.
39. Utah State University, founded in 1888, is a public research university located in Logan, Utah.
40. The Utah Olympic Park, located in Park City, was built for the 2002 Winter Olympics and now serves as a training facility for athletes and a recreational park for visitors.
41. The state's official fish is the Bonneville cutthroat trout, which is native to the freshwater streams and lakes of Utah.
42. The Utah Symphony, based in Salt Lake City, is one of the leading orchestras in the Western United States.
43. The state's official gem is topaz, which can be found in the Thomas Mountain Range and other areas of central Utah.
44. The Great Salt Lake Desert, located in the northwest part of the state, is one of the largest salt flats in the world.
45. The Utah State Railroad Museum, located in Ogden, showcases the history of railroads in Utah and the American West.
46. The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources manages over 600 species of wildlife and more than 150 fishing and boating waters throughout the state.