Casper is an important city which was sited at the nexus of a number of important trails of the time, including the Oregon Trail, the Pony Express route, the Mormon Trail, the Bozeman Trail, the California Trail, and the Bridger Trail. Casper is the geographic heart of Wyoming and generates money from the oil and gas exploration, and livestock ranches, and a burgeoning tourist industry.

At almost a mile above sea level, Casper lies at the foot of Casper Mountain and follows the contours of the North Platte River With the Laramie Mountain Range of the Rocky Mountains to the west and the Wyoming plains to the east. Casper boasts of extensive natural resources for energy and outdoor adventure exploration and agricultural endeavors on the other hand., Casper has been uniquely situated between natural resources for energy and outdoor adventure exploration on the one hand and agricultural endeavors on the other.

Casper sits within the area characterized by the National Weather Service as the "comfort zone," with year-round low humidity moderating the cold of winter and the heat of summer. The city's location and climate favors outdoor adventures.

Area: 23.9 square miles (2000)

Elevation: 5,140 feet above sea level

Latitude: 42.83 N

Longitude: 106.33 W

Average Temperatures: January, 22.4° F; July, 70.8° F; annual average, 45.2° F

Average Annual Precipitation: 14.75 inches rainfall; 77 inches snowfall

Population: 51,738 as on 2005

Attractions

• National Historic Trails Interpretive Center
• Fort Caspar Museum and Historical Site
• Platte RiverParkway
• Mormon Handcart Visitors' Center

Festivals

• Windy City Quilt Festival
• Cowboy State Games
• State Basketball Tournament
• Governor's Cup Sailboat Regatta
• Beartrap Music Festival
• Meals on Wheels Craft Fair
• Tate Museum Holiday Open House