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Idaho Facts

Idaho Facts
The State of Idaho is located in the northwest United States. It shares state borders with Washington, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Wyoming and Montana. It shares an international border with the province British Columbia, in Canada. Idaho is the 14th largest U.S. state with an area of 83,570 square miles. It is the 39th most populated state, and ranks as the 44th most densely populated state, with only approximately 1.5 million residents. Idaho joined the Union in 1890, making it the 43rd state. Prior to becoming a U.S. state, Great Britain and the U.S. both laid claim to the area, which was then part of Oregon Country. It then became part of Washington, Dakota and Oregon Territories until 1863 when Idaho Territory was created.
Interesting Idaho Facts:
Idaho's capital city is Boise.
Idaho's state flower is the syringe.
The state bird is the mountain bluebird.
Idaho's state tree is the western white pine.
Idaho's state motto is Esto Perpetua which means It Is Perpetual.
Idaho's nickname is the Gem State. This state produces 72 different semi-precious and precious stones.
The state song is 'Here We Have Idaho'.
The population of Idaho increased by 55% from 1990 to 2010. That was an increase of 560,000 residents in only 20 years.
Idaho is the number one national producer of lentils, Austrian Winter Peas, trout and potatoes.
Idaho's major industries include mining, timber, food processing, agriculture, tourism, manufacturing and healthcare.
Idaho's agriculture includes potatoes, barley, sugar beets and wheat.
Idaho's state dance is the square dance.
The state fruit is the huckleberry.
The state vegetable is the potato.
The largest tree in Idaho is in Elk River. It is over 3000 years old, 177 feet tall and 18 feet in diameter.
Idaho City's economy formed around gold mining in the mid-1800s.
Idaho is home to world famous Lava Hot Springs.
The deepest gorge in the U.S. is in Hell's Canyon, Idaho.
The world's most dense nesting eagle, hawk and falcon populations are in Idaho's Birds of Prey Wildlife Area.
The National Old Time Fiddlers Contest is held in Weiser, Idaho.
A Tenontosaurus dinosaur fossil was found in Idaho.
Residents of Idaho are known as Idahoans.
Major lakes in Idaho include Bear Lake, American Falls Reservoir, Coeur d'Alene Lake and Lake Pend Oreille.
Major Rivers in Idaho include Kootenai River, Salmon River, St. Maries River, Snake River and Coeur d'Alene River.
The Salmon River in Idaho is the longest free-flowing river within a state that both heads and flows within the same state.
Idaho has more miles of river than any other U.S. state.
Idaho has 44 counties.
Shoshone Falls in Idaho drops 52 feet more than Niagara Falls.
Sun Valley, a popular ski resort, is home to the very first alpine chairlift.
Hagerman County in Idaho is responsible or approximately 85% of the trout commercially sold in the United States.
The first city to be lit by atomic energy is Arco, Idaho. This first occurred in 1955.
The famous film 'Northwest Passage' was filmed in McCall, Idaho.


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