Yellowstone National Park Children's American Local History Book

One of the most impressive places on earth is Yellowstone National Park. This spectacular park spans three states, Wyoming, Idaho, and Montana. It's the first national park and is one of the nation's crown jewels, earning it World Heritage Site status and a Biosphere Reserve designation. Almost half of the park's annual visitors come during the summer, and it is no wonder why - it is a true natural wonder. Before Europeans arrived, people had been living in the region for at least 11,000 years. Native American tribes hunted this land for centuries, leaving few traces. In the early 19th century, a small group of European settlers, along with rugged mountain men, began exploring the park. From the 1870s on, the US Army took control of its administration, and helped protect the area from poachers and bison hunters. Today, the park is home to over 285 species of birds. There are over 1150 native plant species, and some alien species have been spotted. Currently, there are about 95 wolves living in Yellowstone. While bison are rare, they're still found in the park. The park's wolf population is also home to a variety of deer and wild sheep. A trip to Yellowstone is not complete without a visit to a wildlife sanctuary. Old Faithful is the most famous geyser in Yellowstone National Park, but it has become less predictable over the years. It erupts as many as 17 times daily, and its eruptions last anywhere from 90 seconds to five minutes. Yellowstone is the most seismically active region in the U.S., with an estimated 700 to 3,000 quakes occurring in the region each year. The geysers themselves are too small to feel, but the natural wonders are worth a visit.