Wyoming is the least populated state in the U.S. with an average of only 5.2 people per. square mile. Minerals, tourism, agriculture and recreation are the principle industries in this vast state. The first Europeans arrived in 1743 and John Colter became the first American to visit Yellowstone in 1807 and 1808. By the 1820s fur traders entered the region and Forts Laramie and Bridger became important stops for pioneers moving west. Indian wars proliferated in 1854 and 1866 and by 1868 the Union Pacific railroad crossed the state, bringing many settlers from the east. In 1869 the territorial legislature granted women the right to vote. This was the first equal voting area in North America. Wyoming joined the union on July 10, 1890 and became the 44th state. @
