Introduction - Idaho
Located in the West region of the United States, the state of Idaho is known for so much more than its potatoes. The reason why it was nicknamed the gem state is because of the numerous and diverse gems that can be found there, some of which are not found anywhere else in the world. Idaho borders five other U.S. states including Montana, Nevada, Utah, Wyoming, and Washington as well as the Canadian province of British Columbia. This mountainous state has no shortage of natural wonders including Hell's Canyon, Shoshone Falls and Lava Hot Springs. In the kid-friendly formatted list below you will read about what makes these places so special, where in Idaho you can see four different states at once and who from Idaho ran for vice-president in addition to basic information such as when Idaho became a state.Click here for a great selection of Amazon.com books about Idaho.
Idaho Quick Facts
- Idaho was admitted to the union and became a state on July 3rd, 1890.
- Idaho was the 43rd state to become part of the United States.
- Idaho is the 13th largest state in the United States.
- Residents of Idaho are called Idahoans.
- With a population of 1,612,136 people as of the 2013 U.S. Census Bureau, Idaho ranks as the 39th most populous state.
- Since 1931 the official state flower of Idaho has been the Syringa (Philadelphus lewisii).
- The most popular nickname for the state is "The Gem State".
- The capital of Idaho is Boise, which is also the largest city.
- "Here We Have Idaho" is the state song.
- List of Major Bodies of Water in Idaho
- Coeur d'Alene Lake
- Bear Lake
- American Falls Reservoir
- Lake Pend Oreille
- Snake River
- Saint Joe River
- Kootenai River
- Coeur d'Alene River
- Saint Maries River
Idaho Interesting Facts
- Because of its numerous hot springs, the city of Lava Hot Springs became a world-famous resort destination. Idaho in general has the most usable hot springs in the nation, with 130 soak able hot springs, heated by geothermal water.
- At 10 miles (16 km) wide, Hell's Canyon, a section of the Snake River which was formed during the last ice age, is the deepest river gorge in North America. Accessible from the Lewis and Clark Valley, the canyon borders Oregon and Idaho.
- Often referred to as the "Niagara of the West", Shoshone Falls is named after the native American tribe that inhabited the area. It is located along the Snake River near the city of Twin Falls, Idaho. During the Spring, its peak season, the stunning falls tumble 212 feet to the bottom, significantly further than the most famous spots of Niagara Falls.
- Deep within the Hell's Canyon wilderness lies Seven Devil's Mountains, part of the Rocky Mountains in central Idaho. At over 9,000 feet (2743 meters) each, The He Devil and She Devil Mountains are the tallest of the seven peaks. The spectacular view from the top allows sightseers to view four states at once.
- Within the Bruneau Dunes State Park in Idaho, lies a 470 foot (140 meters) high sand dune. It is the tallest single-structured sand dune in the all of North America.
- Sarah Palin, who was born in Sandpoint Idaho, was the Republican Party nominee for Vice President in the Presidential election of 2008.
Idaho Historical Facts
- The Lewis and Clark Highway stretches 176 miles (283 km) through the Columbia Gorge where Lewis and Clark ended their famous expedition in the early 1800s.
- In the 1860s, Idaho City's economy centered around gold mining. Much of the gold that was discovered there went to supporting the union during the Civil War.
- Soda Springs, Idaho was a popular spot for Native Americans, trappers and fur traders who utilized the towns numerous natural springs of carbonated water. It was also a well-known spot for pioneers along the Oregon Trail in the mid- Nineteenth century.