The State of Utah (IPA: /ˈjuːtɔː/ or /ˈjuːtɑː/ (help) is a western state of the United States. It was the 45th state admitted to the Union on January 4, 1896. Approximately 80 percent of Utah's 2,736,424 people live along the Wasatch Front, centering around Salt Lake City. In contrast, vast expanses of the state are nearly uninhabited, making the population the sixth most urbanized in the U.S. The name "Utah" is derived from the Ute Indian language, meaning "people of the mountains".
Utah is known for being one of the most religiously homogeneous states in the Union, with approximately 58 percent of its adult inhabitants claiming membership in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (also known as the Mormon Church or the LDS Church), which greatly influences Utah culture and daily life.
The state is a center of transportation, information technology and research, government services and mining as well as a major tourist destination for outdoor recreation. According to U.S. Census Bureau's population estimates, Utah is currently the fastest growing state in the United States as of 2008. St. George, Utah was the fastest growing metropolitan area in the United States from 2000–2005.
Source: CIA Factbook, Wikipedia
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