Coordinates: 40°30′N 111°30′W / 40.5°N 111.5°W / 40.5; -111.5 The Wasatch Back is a region in the Rocky Mountains in the U.S. state of Utah. It includes such cities as Park City, Morgan, Heber City, and Midway. The name Wasatch Back differentiates it from the Wasatch Front, which includes Utah's three most populous cities: Salt Lake City, Ogden, and Provo. The Wasatch Back sits on the eastern side of the Wasatch Range of the Rocky Mountains, while the Wasatch Front sits on the western side. Wasatch is a Ute Indian word that means "mountain pass" or "low pass over high range." The Wasatch Back is a very affluent region. Summit County (home to Park City) is one of the wealthiest counties in the nation.
While originally a mining and agricultural region, the Wasatch Back has experienced rapid residential growth through the 1990s and continuing into the 2000s. People have moved there looking to escape the congestion and pollution of the Wasatch Front as well as to enjoy the region's many recreational opportunities, such as skiing, snowboarding, snowmobiling, hiking, boating, and horseback riding. Park City is the site of numerous concerts and festivals, including the world-famous Sundance Film Festival.
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