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Capital: Boise
Population: 1,754,208 (Source: 2012 U.S. Census)
Major Cities: Boise, Idaho Falls, Nampa, Pocatello, Meridian
Borders: Utah, Wyoming, Montana, Washington, Oregon, Nevada, Canada
Gross Domestic Product (GDP): $58,243 million (2012 U.S. Department of Commerce)
Key Industries:
Agriculture including potatoes, wheat, peas, onions, and dairy products
Lumber, wood products, food processing, paper products, chemicals, electronics, and tourism
How Idaho got its name: Many people think that Idaho comes from a Native American word, but it does not. It is actually just a made up name. It is often credited to Congressman George M. Willing.
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Idaho State Symbols
State Nickname: Gem StateState Slogan: Great Potatoes. Tasty Destinations.
State Motto: Esto perpetua (It is forever)
State flower: Mock Orange
State bird: Mountain Bluebird
State fish: Cutthroat trout
State tree: Western White Pine
State mammal: Appaloosa horse
State foods: Potato, Huckleberry
Becoming a State
Date admitted: Thursday, July 3, 1890Number admitted: 43
Prior Name: Idaho Territory
Postal Abbreviation: ID
The Geography of Idaho
Total Size: 82,747 sq. miles (source: 2003 Census)Geographical Low Point: Snake River at 710 feet, located in the county/subdivision of Nez Perce (source: U.S. Geological Survey)
Geographical High Point: Borah Peak at 12,662 feet, located in the county/subdivision of Custer (source: U.S. Geological Survey)
Central Point: Located in Custer County approx. at Custer, southwest of Challis (source: U.S. Geological Survey)
Counties: 44 (source: National Association of Counties)
Bodies of Water: Pend Oreille Lake, Bear Lake, American Falls Reservoir, Snake River, Salmon River, Clearwater River
Famous People
- Joseph Albertson - Founder of Albertson's grocery stores
- Gutzon Borglum - Mount Rushmore sculptor
- Philo Farnsworth - Inventor of the television
- Harmon Killebrew - Professional baseball player
- Sarah Palin - Governor of Alaska and reality TV star
- Ezra Pound - Poet
- Sacagawea - Native American guide for explorers Lewis and Clark
- Picabo Street - Olympic gold medal skier
- Lana Turner - Actress
Fun Facts
- The Snake River travels all the way across Idaho.
- At the Craters of the Moon National Monument you can see several volcanoes grouped closely together.
- Lake Pend Oreille is more than 1,000 feet deep.
- Idaho is famous for its fishing and elk hunting.
- Where the name Idaho comes from is a mystery. Many think that the lobbyist who suggested it, George Willing, made it up!
- Idaho grows more potatoes than any other state.
- Island Park has the longest Main Street in the USA at 35 miles long.
- Native Americans who lived in Idaho included the Nez Perce in the north and the Shoshone in the south.
- Idaho is currently one of the fastest growing states in America.
- There are more miles of river in Idaho, 3100, than any other state.
Professional Sports Teams
Idaho has no major professional sports teams.Geography >> US States>> Idaho History
For state symbols, flag, maps, geography, and fun facts:
