Great Falls (pop. 60,442; met. area pop. 84,414) is an industrial and trade center in north-central Montana. It is also an important regional medical center. The city lies near the falls of the Missouri River and was named for them. The falls furnish power for hydroelectric plants.
The city’s industries include flour milling, meat packing, noodle making, petroleum processing, printing and publishing, and tourism. Giant Springs State Park in Great Falls has one of the world’s largest freshwater springs. The city is the home of the University of Providence. Malmstrom Air Force Base lies near the city.
Paris Gibson, an American pioneer, founded Great Falls in 1884, and it became a city in 1888. The seat of Cascade County, Great Falls has a commission-manager form of government. For the monthly weather in Great Falls, see Montana (Climate) .
