Introduction
Colorado (abbr.: CO or Colo.), state of the United States of America, 296,596 km2, with 3.3 million inhabitants; capital city: Denver.
Physical Geography
Colorado is the highest state in the United States (averaging more than 2000 m above sea level) and is divided into three major landscapes: from east to west the Great Plains, the Rocky Mountains and the Colorado Plateau. Of the many rivers that originate there, the largest are the Arkansas, South Platte, North Platte, Colorado, and the Río Grande. In addition to a number of lakes formed by glacial erosion, there are several man-made lakes, the largest of which is the John Martin Reservoir, formed by a dam in the Arkansas. The climate is dry and rough, especially in winter (blizzards).
THORNTON
Population: 118.772 thousand people (2010)
Area: 69.7 sq. km
Founded: 1953
City status since: 1956
Time zone: UTC-7, summer UTC-6
Altitude: 1631 m
The city of Thornton is part of the state called Colorado. Most of Thornton’s territory belongs to Adams County, but due to the rapid growth of the city, in recent times it has been partly located in Weld County. This American city is located in the west of the district. The closest airport to the city is Denver, which is located twenty-five kilometers east of Thornton.
Initially, the area of today’s Thornton consisted only of farmland. In 1953, Sam Hoffman took over part of Washington Street. He was able to establish a well-planned settlement – the first such in Adams County. The city got its name in honor of the governor of Colorado and cattle owner Daniel Thornton. At the end of January 1954, the first forty families moved into brand new one-story brick houses. At the end of April of the same year, the Thornton Commune Association was created. The main occupation of this commune was the development of a young settlement. By the end of the following year, Thornton had over 5,000 residents. In the summer of 1956, this settlement received the official status of “city”. Four years later, the first library was opened on what is now Thornton. After another 14 years, a factory was built here, which was created to purify water for the drinking needs of residents. The first high school opened in 1975.
Thornton has 81 city parks. There are also two fairly large golf clubs in the city. One of the most famous natives of this American city is a major league baseball player (Tod Helton). Thornton has several shopping districts, including: Thornton Town Center, Larkridge Mall and Thorncreek Crossing Shopping Center.
Population
The average population density is approximately 12 inhabitants. per km2. About 82% of the population lives in urban areas. The largest cities are Denver and Colorado Springs. See top cities in Colorado.
Economy
Nearly 40% of the total area of the state is used for agriculture (largely through irrigation). The main products are grain, hay, wheat and potatoes; in the Colorado valley is fruit growing. Livestock farming is now of great importance and mainly includes cattle, sheep, pig and poultry farming. The minerals present in large quantities have given rise to extensive mining. Coal, gold, silver, zinc, petroleum, natural gas, molybdenite and uranium are exploited. Colorado is one of the major industrial states west of the Mississippi, with mechanical engineering, sugar refining, and major electronics, canning, and aerospace industries. Due to its central location in the United States, Colorado is an important hub for railroads,
In addition to agriculture and industry, tourism is the third pillar of the state’s economy, traditionally mainly summer tourism, but since the 1950s also winter tourism (ski sports, including Aspen and Vail) has grown rapidly.
Sights
Tourist attractions include the Dinosaur National Monument, Black Canyon of the Gunnison and Colorado (rock formations, canyons, fossil remains), Hovenweep National Monument and Mesa Verde National Park (remains of prehistoric Native American villages), Great Sand Dunes National Monument, the Royal Gorge (about 300 m deep gorge, carved by the Arkansas River) and the Rocky Mountain National Park.
History
Colorado has had a very important Native American culture in the Middle Ages, the ruins of which are well preserved in Mesa Verde. Coronado invaded around 1540, and in the 17th century the area was brought under French influence from Louisiana. It came to the United States with the purchase of Louisiana territory in 1803 and was then intensively searched by explorers such as Zebulon Pike (discovered Pikes Peak in 1806), Stephen H. Long, and John C. Frémont. The discovery of gold in 1858 led to a gold rush, which caused the population to increase rapidly. In 1861, the Colorado Territory was organized, and in 1876 the territory became a state (the 38th).
National Parks Colorado
Mesa Verde National Park
Mesa Verde National Park was established in 1906 in southwestern Colorado. The park is located on a plateau in a semi-desert where Native Americans used to live. The park itself is home to the world’s most famous and best-preserved Native American rock settlements. The entrance to Mesa Verde National Park is 10 miles east of the town of Cortez.
If you want to stay near the national park you will have to stay outside the park at private campgrounds or in motels. If you want to see the old Indian rock fortresses, you will need good shoes and a lot of perseverance, because it is quite a climb.
Rocky Mountain National Park
Rocky Mountain National Park is located in northern Colorado and borders the Continental Divide. The park was established in 1915 and there are more than ten mountains with an altitude of 3350 meters or higher. Mount Elbert is the largest mountain in that region with a height of 4399 meters. The Continental Divide owes its name to the many mountain ridges that can be found on the extended part of the Rocky Mountains.
In the summer it is always busy in the park, because there are beautiful lakes and very deep canyons.