Others have found research positions at companies such as Merck, Burroughs Wellcome, Lilly, Upjohn, and Genentech. Some have found research positions at such institutes as Scripps and Lovelace. The population of the Salt Lake City metropolitan area exceeds one million. The city is situated in a valley with an elevation varying between 4,200 and 5,500 feet and is surrounded by mountains that reach 12,000 feet. The major ski resorts are within a 1-hour drive of the city.
Wilderness areas abound in the vicinity.
Salt Lake City is also within a day's drive of eight national parks and numerous national monuments. The Utah Symphony Orchestra, the Utah Opera Company, Ballet West, the Repertory Dance Theater, and the Mormon Tabernacle Choir are among the many cultural opportunities available in Salt Lake City. The University Founded in 1850, the University of Utah is the oldest state university west of the Missouri River. The University has more than 1,500 faculty members and occupies 155 buildings on a 1,168-acre tract at the foot of the Wasatch Mountains. The University is the center of culture in the region.