A land of extremes, Utah holds a special appeal for outdoor enthusiasts, encompassing a wide variety of landscapes and fascinating geological formations that offer unlimited opportunities for outdoor recreation. Most of the state is situated on a plateau above 4,000ft, but the elevations rise and fall spectacularly across snow-covered mountains and deep river canyons.

The most dramatic sights have been formed by the forces of nature, creating ruggedly beautiful, multi-coloured canyons, eroded rock sculptures, red desert plains, forested mountains, and snow-capped peaks. Southern Utah has five breath-taking national parks, including Zion and Bryce Canyon, which draw the most visitors.

The Anglo settlement of Utah began with the arrival of the Mormon pioneers in the Salt Lake area in 1847. Today more than 70 percent of the population belongs to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, congregants of which are known as Mormons. The Mormon heritage defines the state's modern culture and the region has a strong church influence, with emphasis on family values and a notoriously strict attitude regarding the drinking of alcohol. But the people are friendly and unpretentious, the crime rate is low and there are many beautiful places to visit.

Salt Lake City is a modern metropolis regarded as one of the top business environments in the country, as well as being the spiritual hub of the Mormon religion, home to the sacred Temple and the famous Mormon Tabernacle Choir. Its proximity to the Wasatch Mountains makes it a popular base for winter and summer outdoor recreation, and nearby resorts such as Park City, Sundance and Snowbird offer superb powder snow and Olympic-class skiing.