Missoula, << muh ZOO luh >> (pop. 73,489; met. area pop. 122,457), is one of the largest cities in Montana. It lies in the west-central part of the state, on the Pacific slope of the Rocky Mountains.
Missoula is a regional center of trade, health care, education, and other service industries. The city is the site of the University of Montana. It also serves as the headquarters of the Northern Region of the United States Forest Service. Nearby is a training center for Forest Service fire fighters. North of Missoula is the Rattlesnake National Recreation Area and Wilderness, which covers about 61,000 acres (25,000 hectares).
The name Missoula comes from an indigenous (native) Flathead word meaning by or near the cold, chilling waters. The word might refer to Hellgate Canyon, just east of Missoula, where Blackfeet warriors ambushed Flathead people. Missoula was founded in 1860. It has a mayor-council government.
