Salt Lake City is an ideal place to spend a few days with
the family and relax in a pleasant, small city atmosphere. Located amid
the towering mountains of the Wasatch Front, Salt Lake City offers beautiful
scenery and world-class sporting opportunities. Almost one million people
call Salt Lake City and the surrounding areas home, a strong testament
to the attractions of this special city. Millions more from around the
world will gather here for the 2002 Winter Olympics.
Salt Lake City is probably best known as the world headquarters of the
Mormon Church. A majority of the citizens of Utah are Mormons (Church
of Latter-Day Saints), many of them descendents of original settlers of
the Utah territory. The Church's prominence has led the people of Salt
Lake City to erect several stunning monuments to their faith and the trials
of the original settlers. The Mormon Temple was erected in 1893 after
40 years of hard work by expert craftsmen. Only confirmed Mormons are
allowed to enter, but the public may tour Temple Square and enjoy its
many monuments. The Mormon Tabernacle was designed with acoustics that
enable a listener seated in the last row to hear a nail drop from the
lectern at the front. It is here that the world-famous Mormon Tabernacle
Choir performs. Visitors interested in their families' roots may use the
facilities of the Family History Library, the largest library of genealogical
information in the world.
Outside the city, Utah's beautiful landscape and unique geological features amaze visitors. The Great Salt Lake is the second saltiest body of water in the world, and it has been mysteriously refilling itself in recent years, leading to an explosion of life in and around the lake. The Timpanogos Cave National Monument features several miles of exciting and interesting underground sights. The center of the caverns opens up to a vast array of dazzling white crystals.
Salt Lake City's greatest outdoor venue continues to be its mountains.
The Wasatch Mountains offer some of the best skiing in the world and are
one reason why Olympic officials chose Salt Lake City to host the winter
Olympics in 2002. This prestigious event will add to Salt Lake City's
sports roster and further enhance this western gem. For years, travelers
tended to overlook this beautiful, relaxed, historic city, but not for
long. The whole world is coming to Salt Lake City, and the city and its
people are ready.