Salt Lake City, often referred to simply as Salt Lake or SLS, is the capital of beautiful Utah. For thousands of years, this semi-arid valley was home to indigenous people and Native American tribes that sustained themselves on wild food and foliage in the area.
In 1847, pioneer settlers that would later become known as the ‘Mormon pioneers’ founded Salt Lake City. They began constructing extensive water-carrying systems that could provide for their budding population and support exponential growth.
Today, it is the most populous city in Utah, covering an area of 111 square miles (287 square kilometers). It is situated on the Jordan River, which is southeast of the Great Salt Lake, 4226 feet (1288 meters) above sea-level.
The early Salt Like settlers are referred to as the Mormon pioneers due to their association with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Led by Brigham Young, church members had travelled to and settled in Utah as a means to escape persecution and pursue religious freedom. Although their church has established branches throughout the world, their headquarters can still be found in SLS.
When the Mormon settlers first arrived, the war between Mexico and America was ongoing, and Utah was Mexican territory. It was only upon the signing of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo in 1948 that Utah became part of US sovereignty. It has been the capital of the state ever since.
SLS is currently home to over 200 000 people and is chockful of diversity. It is built on a numbered grid system, designed by the Mormons, with their Temple Square located at its center. The Temple Square is a celebrated National Historic Landmark that serves as a testament to their achievements in establishing the city.
Salt Lake City is also famous for a number of prominent museums, architectural attractions, and seasonal outdoor recreational tourist activities. It is also known to be the largest industrial banking center in the United States!
Built on the ideals of development, growth, and religious liberty, it is easy to see why Salt Lake City was chosen as the capital of the Beehive State. Right from the beginning, it was considered a region of prominence, and today it retains a rich and valuable history and unique beauty.
Together with this, its location within the state is relatively central, which is generally considered an ideal location for a state capital.