SALT LAKE is the remnant of prehistoric Lake Bonneville, a massive body that covered parts of Utah, Nevada and Idaho 10,000 years ago. Normally the lake is about 75 miles long and 35 miles wide with depths of up to 33 feet, but in recent years it has shrunk dramatically. The water has been diverted for cities, farms and mineral industries since the Mormon pioneers arrived in 1847. This has dropped the lake’s elevation by about 11 feet. Evaporation from reservoirs adds to the drop, and natural processes such as wind and sunlight have reduced its surface area by more than a third.
This shrinking, salty saltlakecityvehiclewraps.net lake is fascinating to visit. Its glistening surface reflects mountains, clouds, rocky hillsides and the rusty barbed-wire fence that surrounds the rim of Antelope Island State Park.
The city itself is a mix of old and new, with gleaming high-rise offices, elegant restaurants and shopping centers surrounding the downtown temple complex on Temple Square. A citywide public transportation system, TRAX, makes getting around easy and inexpensive. In addition, a new City Creek Center offers world-class exhibitions in a beautiful, climate-controlled building, while the architecturally astounding Utah Museum of Contemporary Art and Eccles Theater performing arts center opened in 2016.
Salt Lake City’s location at the crossroads of the West has made it a gathering place for people from many different backgrounds and interests. A large percentage of the population is affiliated with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and the area is also home to several non-governmental think-tanks and advocacy groups such as the conservative Sutherland Institute, the progressive Alliance for a Better Utah and the gay-rights group Equality Utah.
The Salt Lake City area has been a leader in the development of the film industry, including movies such as “Last Days of Pompeii” and “The Hobbit”. Thousands of film shoots are produced here every year. The city is also famous for its collegiate sports, particularly men’s college basketball. The Utah Utes play at the Huntsman Center on the university’s campus and have won numerous NCAA tournaments over the years.
Salt Lake is also a popular destination for business travelers, and it has plenty of hotels, restaurants and shops to appeal to them. The city is served by Salt Lake International Airport, a Delta hub with frequent connections to destinations across the Intermountain West and beyond. A number of other airports are within a short drive of the city as well. The downtown convention center and Rice-Eccles Stadium can accommodate large events. The city is a great base for exploring the surrounding mountains and deserts as well. There is a wide variety of outdoor activities to enjoy as well, such as hiking, biking and skiing. The Great Salt Lake is also an ideal setting for fishing, swimming and sailing. In fact, there are more than a dozen public beaches on the shores of the lake. For something a little less strenuous, visitors can take in a free organ concert on Temple Square or see the Mormon Tabernacle Choir.