What would you tell the rest of the country about Montana? Probably not much, since we’re known for wanting to keep the Last Best Place as much of a secret as possible. Still, there are a few things we’d like to get straight, right? Here are a few things we’d like out-of-staters to know.

1. We laugh at the Montana myths you perpetuate, but we still love you.
christine.aker / Flickr
Yes, we have the Internet and electricity. No, we don’t all ride horses. You’re thinking of the late 1800s, not Montana.
2. We have more state pride than you could ever dream of.
Ryan McKee / Flickr
We’re not boastful. We just love it here, and we’re not afraid to admit it.
3. Our state is very appropriately named.
Forest Service Northern Region / Flickr
Montana means "mountainous" in Spanish, and there are over 100 beautiful mountain ranges here.
4. If you love to read, you’ll love Montana.
Julien / Flickr
We have more bookstores per capita than any other state.
5. You’ve heard of the heart monitor, right? Well, you’re welcome for that.
Wikipedia
The Holter monitor was invented by a man named Norman Holter from Helena. Holter was the son and grandson, respectively, of Montana pioneers Norman B. Holter and Anton M. Holter.
6. Our state is full of natural wonders, but we are not an amusement park.
Sam / Flickr
Unfortunately, we’ve had some unpleasant instances lately of tourists taking selfies with wildlife and treating Yellowstone like Disneyland. Please use common sense and take safety precautions when visiting.

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7. The huckleberry is the best berry of all the berries.
Julie / Flickr
And while Montana isn’t the only state to grow them, we happen to think our huckleberries are the best.
8. We have more local beer than you might realize.
Alyson Hurt / Flickr
The Montana brewery scene has exploded in recent years. We have perfected the art of beer brewing, and we’re more than happy to offer you some tastes.
9. It’s buffalo here, not bison, and yes, the burgers are delicious.
pwyliu / Flickr
10. Yellowstone is beautiful, but Glacier National Park is our true treasure.
CheWei Chang / Flickr
For some reasons, many Americans associate Yellowstone National Park with Montana. But since the majority of the park is in Wyoming, we consider Glacier our crowning jewel.
11. Our sapphires are a cut above the rest.
Wikipedia
There are apparently Yogo sapphires in the Crown Jewels of England.
12. We’re the nicest people you ever meet… until you try to change things.
Jimmy Emerson, DVM / Flickr
We like Montana the way it is. It’s not that we don’t love visitors or want to keep everyone away, it’s just that we expect everyone who comes here to love it as much as we do… as it is. After all, we named Montana the Last Best Place.

One other thing: We definitely think Montana is the best state.

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