Hall Idaho. Traveling through Idaho

Idaho Idaho is the 39th most populous and 14th largest state in the northwestern United States, these data indicate that the state is not the most populous, and is in 7th place from the bottom. In area, Idaho is larger than all the lands of New England in the United States. Idaho was admitted to the United States quite late, meaning July 3, 1890, when it became the 43rd state out of the 50 that exist now. Idaho is bordered by Wyoming to the east, Nevada and Utah to the south, Washington and Oregon to the west, British Columbia to the north, and Montana to the northeast.

Idaho is a state of beautiful mountains, lakes, forests and generally stunning national parks in the northern United States.

People come to Idaho to see the Idaho Falls, there is a beautiful park, fishing, golf, and in winter skiing. Lake Coeur d'Alen is interesting, where there is fishing and golf. Another local waterfall called Twin Falls with canyon viewing, exciting rope jumping, golf and sports. Worth mentioning are Post Falls, McCall Lake, Pocatello Park and Hiking Trails, and the City of Rocks National Wildlife Refuge. The capital of the state is the town of Boise, where there is a zoo, a picturesque river, and golf and other sports are available.

Idaho is a potato state, agriculture is developed here, but even more Idaho can boast of its precious stones, mining is still widespread here, Idaho is a “gem state.”

Politics in Idaho

A state in the northern United States, as you might guess, they love Republicans here.

Geography of Idaho

The state of Idaho is approximately equal in area to Belarus and is 216,632 square kilometers, Idaho is located to the west of the Continental Divide. Idaho is a mountainous state, in the south the valley of the Snake River, which occupies a quarter of the entire state, almost the entire population is concentrated in this valley, here is the capital city of Boise, as well as Pocatello-Idaho Falls Caldwell, Nampa.

The Snake is navigable, but the state has no access to the ocean. The highest mountain in Idaho is Bora Peak, 3859 meters, located in the Lost River valley.

Climate and weather in Idaho

The climate is continental with influences from the Pacific Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico; it is from the Pacific Ocean that all the rain comes to Idaho. The climate in the south and north of the state is different, the northern part has a maritime climate, the southern part is more continental. The amount of precipitation in the north is greater than in the south. Temperatures in winter are usually about 0 degrees, in the mountains frosts are up to 20 degrees. Temperatures in summer can reach up to 35 degrees, this mainly applies to the river valley and large cities. Tornadoes and hurricanes that hit the US territory in Idaho are very rare.

Flora and fauna

In arid areas, trees such as Menzies hemlock and pine grow; in the river valley, western hemlock, thuja and poplar; in the mountains, whitebark pine, hemlock, fir and Engelmann spruce.

Fauna includes wapiti, elk, white-tailed deer, black-tailed deer, pronghorn, bighorn, and cougar.

The wolf, which is found north of I-90, the dangerous Grizzly bears, and the Canadian lynx are considered endangered.

Idaho Natural Attractions and National Parks

Idaho is home to 30 parks and preserves, including 7 National Forests and 2 National Historic Landmarks.

The most interesting place can be considered Yellowstone National Park, although only 1% of it is located in Idaho. Idaho is also home to the Oregon Put, Nez Perce National Historical Park, Minidoka National Historic Site, Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail, Hagerman Fossil Beds National Monument, Craters of the Moon National Monument, City of Rocks National Forest, and the California Trail. National parks and forests in Idaho are frequently affected by fires.

Population of Idaho

The latest census showed a figure of more than 1,584,985 people, the state's population density is 4 times less than the US average. Today, Idaho ranks 4th in the United States in terms of population growth, after Nevada, Texas and California.

About 18% of the local population comes from Germany, 10% have Irish roots, 8% are Indian, 5.5% are Mexican.

Idaho racial composition: White - 89.1%, African American - 0.6%, Indian - 1.4%, Asian - 1.2%, Oceanian - 0.1%, two or more races - 2.5% .

Half the state's population lives in cities and metropolitan areas, including Boise, and Idaho also has the metropolitan areas of Coeur d'Alene, Idaho Falls, Pocatello and Lewiston.

Idaho lags far behind in terms of progress in medicine and education, which is also affected by the large number of Indian reservations, which are almost the main employer in this state.

Crime in Idaho

The state of Idaho is not without security problems, the local level is significantly higher than the US average. The most common crimes are theft. Compare the US average of 3,347 crimes per 100,000 people per year, while in Idaho there are 5,180. Note that Idaho has the death penalty.

How to get to Idaho

Airports are located in the capital city of Boise and in the cities of Idaho Falls, Hailey, Lewiston and Twin Falls. A flight from Moscow, Minsk, St. Petersburg or Kiev to Idaho will take about a day, there will be at least one transfer, the cost of a one-way air ticket in economy class will cost about $1,200, it is more profitable to leave Idaho for later, for example, by including the state on a tour across the USA. You can get around the state by rental car, tourist buses or trains. Local residents, as you understand, travel exclusively in their cars. Car rentals in Idaho start at $55 per day.

Two transcontinental railroads pass through Idaho; a railroad runs through the north of the state, connecting cities such as Seattle, Portland and Spokane with Minneapolis and Chicago, and connecting such state counties as Kootenay, Bonner and Boundary.

The southern road passes through the cities of Idaho: Boise, Nampa, Twin Falls and Pocatello, this railway line passes through the American cities of Portland, Green River and Ogden.

Entertainment, excursions and attractions

Sports in Idaho

Baseball is the most popular sport in the state, followed by ice hockey and basketball. There are many golf courses for tourists in Idaho.

Hells Canyon or Hells Canyon National Recreation Area

The popular US national recreation area, located between Idaho and Oregon, is managed by the US Forest Service. The Devil's Canyon recreation and walking area has an area of ​​900 square kilometers, with about 1,400 hiking trails that enter Oregon. Hells Canyon is the largest in the USA, it is 500 meters deeper even than the Grand Canyon in Arizona. There are 3 hydroelectric power stations on the Snake River. This is a great place for rafting and river rafting; the second entertainment is catching the largest freshwater fish in the United States, including sturgeon.

The canyon is about 16 kilometers long and runs along the eastern border of Oregon and the eastern border of Washington, the height of the gorge reaches 2436 meters. Most of the canyon is inaccessible to cars and pedestrians. Geology suggests that Devil's Canyon was formed 300 million years ago with the help of volcanoes that erupted from the waters of the Pacific Ocean. Since the 1860s, gold was found in the canyon area, the first mining settlements opened here, and later mines were opened. Local farms usually receive income only from tourism; the climate and soil here are not conducive to agriculture.

The main entertainment here is hunting, fishing, kayaking, rafting, mountain hiking, and camping. Hells Canyon tours are available year-round, but most tourists only come here in the summer.

Shoshone Falls or Shoshone Falls

The waterfall is located on the Snake River near the town of Twin Falls in southern Idaho. The second name is “Niagara of the West.” The waterfall is 65 meters high and 374 meters wide. Note that the waterfall is 11 meters higher than Niagara, the height of the waterfall above sea level is 992 meters. It is best to come here in spring and early summer; in late summer and autumn, more water is taken from the river to irrigate fields. Shoshoni has been around since at least the end of the last Ice Age. There are only 63 waterfalls in Idaho.

Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve

The Idaho lunar craters are essentially traps, that is, a special type of continental magmatism, characterized by a huge volume of basalt outpouring in a geologically short time. The name comes from the Swedish word trappa - ladder; the ladders themselves are a bit like craters on the Moon, hence the name. Craters of the Moon National Monument covers an area of ​​2,890 square kilometers and consists of 3 lava fields that were formed 200 years ago during volcanic eruptions. The landscape here is completely unearthly, consisting of caves, columns, and bizarre sculptures. However, NASA, during its flights to the Moon from 1969 to 1972, became convinced that in fact the Moon Craters in Idaho have nothing in common with the lunar craters on the Moon, where they are of meteorite origin, and on earth they are of volcanic origin.

In 2000, Idaho Craters of the Moon was converted into a national park that now spans 3 lava fields. In 2002, a compromise was reached by local farmers and tourism organizations; today hunting is allowed in the park. The area of ​​lava fields was once home to the brown bear; now it is home to skunks, foxes, lynxes, mountain lions, ground squirrels, and bats.

Pets, campfires, and all motorized vehicles, including bicycles, are not allowed in the nature reserve. Skiing has been allowed on Loop Drive since it was closed to traffic in late November due to snow drifts.

The park does not have the usual hotels, but there are 51 campsites; it is not possible to reserve places in them. The campsites have water, toilets, barbecues, and trash containers. There are also caves in the park: Rosinka, Boy Scout, Indian Tunnel and Beauty Cave. The caves are open to visitors, personal flashlights are required, and each cave can be entered free of charge and without additional permits. In all caves except the Indian cave, head protection or caution is recommended.

Idaho is a US state in the Pacific Northwest in a group of mountain states. As of 2010, over 1,500,000 people lived in Idaho. Among other states, Idaho is the 14th largest in area and 39th in population. The state's largest city and capital is Boise. It houses the state's major government offices, including the Idaho Legislature.

The main sectors of the state's economy are agriculture, largely represented by potato growing, mining and the scientific and technological sector. In the first half of the 19th century, furs were actively mined in this area.

In the mid-19th century, large deposits of precious metals were discovered in Idaho, which prompted an active influx of pioneers and the acquisition of territory status. The state of Idaho was established on July 3, 1890, the 43rd state. Mining in the state is still developed. The state even has the official nickname “Gem State” due to its abundance of natural resources. The state is currently one of the most Republican in the country.

The area of ​​the state is 216,446 km² (cf. the area of ​​Belarus: 207,560 km²). Idaho ranks 14th among other states by this indicator. The total water surface area is 2,131 km², which in relative terms is 0.98% of Idaho's area. The length of the state from south to north is 264 and 771 km in the shortest and longest parts, respectively. The length of the state from east to west ranges from 72 to 491 km at its narrowest and widest parts, respectively. In the south, Idaho is bordered by the states of Utah and Nevada, in the north by the Canadian province of British Columbia, in the east by the state of Wyoming and to the west, along the Bitterroot Range, by the state of Montana; In the west, the state borders the states of Oregon and Washington. Thus, Idaho borders six states and one Canadian province.

Idaho is located west of the Continental Divide. The state has 8 major geological provinces. The youngest are 16-17 million years old, while the oldest are more than 1,400 million years old. The state's terrain is mostly mountainous. In the south, skirting the central part, the Snake River valley stretches from west to east, occupying about a quarter of the state's area. The largest cities in the state are located in the valley: Nampa, Caldwell, Idaho Falls, Pocatello, etc., including the capital of Idaho, Boise.

Idaho has several navigable rivers, including the Snake River. Idaho has no direct connection to the Pacific Ocean. There are more than 2,000 lakes in the state. The largest lake is Pand Oreille, with an area of ​​466 km².

The highest point in Idaho is Borah Peak (3,859 m), located in the Lost River valley. The lowest point (216 m) is in Lewiston at the confluence of the Clearwater and Snake rivers.

Ecology

Idaho's primary ecoregions include semi-arid shrub and grassland communities, irrigated farmland, volcanic mesas and lava valleys, forested mountains and hills, and swamps. In total, the state has 10 large ecoregions, which in turn are divided into 71 local ecoregions. The geography of ecosystems correlates with the geological features of the state. Thus, in the region of the Idaho batholith geological province there is a corresponding relatively closed ecoregion, represented by mountainous terrain with forests of great fir, Douglas fir, western larch, Engelmann spruce and subalpine fir. The Snake River Plateau is also a distinct ecoregion, containing a significant portion of the state's farmland and producing crops such as sugar beets, potatoes, cereals, and other crops; There are pastures in the region. The southwest and southeast of the state are represented by arid steppes. Much of the northern part of the state is an ecoregion with similar characteristics to the Idaho batholith. However, it contains a larger number of species that are distributed all the way to the Pacific coast and thus depend on moisture brought from the ocean. Among the representatives of the ecoregion in the east of the state there are significantly fewer such species, since this area receives significantly less moisture.

Climate

The topographical features of the state are reflected in the heterogeneity of its climate. Despite the distance of almost 500 km from the Pacific Ocean, Idaho's climate is significantly influenced by western sea air currents, which are the main source of atmospheric moisture. During the summer, air masses also bring moisture from the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea. During winter, average cloudiness, precipitation, and temperature are higher than at the same latitudes in the continental United States. Due to the fact that the northern part of the state is more exposed to the influence of sea winds than the southern part surrounded by mountain ranges, the climatic conditions in these regions differ. In general, Idaho's climate is temperate, with an arid climate prevailing in the south of the state.

In the northern part of the state, the annual precipitation rate is higher than in the southern: 76 and 33 cm, respectively. During winter, the north of the state experiences higher temperatures and humidity than the south. The difference in humidity values ​​for the northern and southern regions can be up to fourfold. The southeastern Idaho region has lower average temperatures and humidity than the western and northern regions, respectively.

The coldest month is January: the average temperature is below zero. In winter, temperatures often drop below −30 °C in the mountainous regions of the north and east of the state. The mountains receive heavy precipitation: an average of 51 cm of rain and 89 cm of snow. The hottest month is July. The highest temperatures are recorded in the lowland areas of the state: in the Snake River Valley and the lower reaches of the Clearwater River. In the southwest of the state, temperatures can reach 37°C or higher in July. The lowest temperature in Idaho was recorded on January 18, 1943 at the Island Park dam and was −51 °C. The highest was 48 °C on July 28, 1934.

Hurricanes and tornadoes are extremely rare. Growing season varies: about 200 days in the northwest of the state, from 150 days in the Snake, Boise and Payette river basins, about 125 days in the Pocatello and Idaho Falls area, to none in the high mountain areas where the land is primarily used for pastures.

Population

In 2010, Idaho's population was 1,567,582, an increase of 21,781 people or 1.4% from the previous year and an increase of 273,629 people or 21.1% from 2000. In terms of population, Idaho ranks 40th among other states.

In 2010, Idaho had the fourth highest rate of population growth since 2000. Only the states of Nevada (35.1%), Texas (21.7%) and California (10%) showed higher rates. In the period 2004-2005. Idaho was in 3rd place, behind only Nevada and Arizona.

About half the population lives in cities. Ethnic composition as of 2000: Germans - 18.8%, British - 18.1%, Irish - 10%, Native Americans - 8.1%, Mexicans - 5.5%.

Culture

Thanks to its historical, geographical and ethnographic characteristics, the state has developed its own unique directions in traditions, art, cuisine and other aspects. Long before the arrival of Europeans, many Indians lived in Idaho. Subsequently, many counties and settlements in the state were named after Indian tribes and terminology. Hawaiians also made their contribution to the cultural heritage of the state: Owyhee County was named in honor of hired workers of fur companies and members of expeditions from the Hawaiian Islands. Among the Mountain Men and pioneers were many Spaniards and Mexicans. After the discovery of vast deposits in Idaho in 1860-1870, thousands of Chinese poured into the lands of the future state, so by 1870 the majority of miners were Chinese. In total, according to this year's census, there were 4,269 Chinese living in Idaho (28.5% of the total population). Between 1900 and 1920, many Basque immigrants arrived in Idaho. Today, Boise has the largest Basque diaspora in the United States. In 1914, the state elected its first Jewish governor, Moses Alexander. Idaho is home to many fairs, festivals, and events celebrating pioneers. The town of Shelley holds an Annual Spud Day every September to celebrate the state's staple crop. Idaho is home to 68 movie theaters and more than 150 museums. Potatoes had a noticeable influence on the state's cuisine. There is even a separate variety of Idaho potatoes, distinguished by their large size and served baked in foil.

Economy

The state's GDP in 2010 was $55.4 billion. GDP per capita was $35,363. As of 2008, the state's economy ranked 43rd among other states, ahead of Maine's and behind New Hampshire's.

Agriculture is an important component of the state's economy. Idaho grows one third of the potatoes in the United States. One popular variety is Russet Burbank. In addition to potatoes, three types of wheat are grown in the state. The state ranks first in the total production of potatoes, as well as in the production of trout, pelyushka and lentils. Idaho has developed food production, wood and wood products, mechanical and chemical industries, paper production, electronics, and the development of silver and gold deposits. The city of Gooding is home to the country's largest plant for the production of raw materials for the production of processed cheese, owned by the Irish company Glanbia (English) Russian. A significant part of Anheuser-Busch's production capacity is located in Idaho. The production facilities of major jet boat manufacturers are located in Idaho. The central office of clothing retailer Coldwater Creek is located in Sandpoint.

The state's largest economic sector is science and technology. In 2001, it accounted for 25% of the state's GDP. Between 1991 and 2002, the growth rate of this industry was 38%. The average salary in this industry is 92% higher than the national average for the same field. Idaho National Laboratory's nuclear energy research contributes significantly to the economy of the eastern part of the state. Since the late 1970s, Boise has become a center for semiconductor manufacturing: Micron Technology, the nation's only DRAM manufacturer, is headquartered in the city. Boise is also home to a large division of Hewlett-Packard Corporation. In Pocatello there is a plant of a large semiconductor manufacturer ON Semiconductor (English)Russian. The office of Oracle Corporation and divisions of the aerospace corporation Alliant Techsystems (English)Russian are located in the state.

Income taxes range from 1.6% to 7.8% for eight tax brackets. State sales tax is 6%. In addition to other goods, the following are subject to tax:

• Foodstuffs;
• Cloth;
• Medicines (both over-the-counter and over-the-counter).

Counties and cities in the state have the right to set additional tax rates.

Idaho has a state lottery, the proceeds of which have been used to support school districts since 1990. and higher education institutions received $473.8 million.

Idaho is a state in the Northwestern part of the United States.

The largest city in the state is the capital Boise.

Idaho is surrounded by the states of Washington, Oregon, Nevada, Utah, Wyoming, and Montana.

Among other states, Idaho is the 13th largest by area and 42nd by population. State nicknames: “Gem State”, “Famous Potatoes”.

The state motto is: “May you always be” (Esto perpetuum).

The state abbreviation is ID.

Idaho state name

The origin of the name Idaho is highly controversial.

In the early 1960s, when the US Congress was discussing the creation of a new territory in the Rocky Mountains, miner lobbyist George Willing proposed calling it “Idaho.” He claimed that "Idaho" was a Shoshoni word meaning "jewel of the mountains" or "sun coming from the mountains." However, Congress doubted Willing's arguments regarding the origin of the word, and the name "Colorado" was given to the new territory.

It is noteworthy that one of the cities in Colorado received the name Idaho back in 1859 (since 1866 - Idaho Springs). Willing later allegedly admitted that the word was a fabrication.

According to another version, the word "Idaho" in the Shoshone language meant the phrase "the Sun rises."

According to the third version, the word "Idaho" means "enemy"; it was used by the Athabascan tribe to refer to the Comanche tribe.

On June 9, 1860, a steamboat named the Idaho was launched on the Columbia River. The newly created county of Idaho was named in his honor in 1861. In 1863, a new territory was separated from Washington Territory and named after the county. And in 1890, Idaho Territory received statehood.

State History

In the territory of the modern state of Idaho, people have lived for over fourteen thousand years. In 1959, excavations at Wilson Butte Cave near Twin Falls unearthed arrowheads that are among the oldest artifacts found in North America.
By the time Europeans arrived on the territory of the modern state of Idaho, Indian tribes lived here - the Nez Perce people in the north and the Shoshone and Bannock people in the south.
The Idaho territory was the last to be explored of all fifty states. On August 12, 1805, an expedition led by Meriwether Lewis and William Clark (known as the Lewis-Clark Expedition) arrived in Idaho.
The first permanent European settlement here was in 1810, when Andrew Henry established a fort on the upper Snake River. The Europeans were brought here by the hunt for “soft gold” - furs. Over the next decades, the northwestern territories were actively developed by large fur companies. At the same time, the first Christian missionaries appeared here.
During this time, the region of the northwestern United States, of which Idaho later became a part, was known as "Oregon Country." Its ownership was disputed by the United States and Great Britain. It was not until 1846 that the United States gained undisputed jurisdiction over this region under the Oregon Treaty between the United States and Britain.
The Oregon Territory, formed in 1848, included the modern states of Washington, Oregon and Idaho.
In 1860, gold was discovered in Idaho, sparking an influx of prospectors and a gold rush. In the 1960s, Idaho accounted for one-fifth of all gold production in the United States.
On March 4, 1863, US President Abraham Lincoln signed legislation creating the Idaho Territory from the lands of Washington Territory and Dakota Territory. The capital of the new territory was the city of Lewiston.
In 1880, silver deposits were discovered in Idaho. On July 3, 1890, Idaho Territory became a state.
At the end of the 19th and beginning of the 20th centuries, Idaho was one of the most progressive states in the United States. The laws granting women's suffrage (1896) and the prohibition of alcoholic beverages (1916) were passed here before the US federal government passed the same laws.

At the end of the 19th century, agriculture began to actively develop in the state, along with the mainstay of Idaho's economy, the mining industry. In the thirties of the 20th century, the first ski resorts appeared, including the now famous Sun Valley resort.

Due to the decline in mining in the mid-20th century, some Idaho towns fell into disrepair, were abandoned by residents, and became “ghost towns.”

Currently, the main industries in Idaho are mining, agriculture, largely represented by potato growing, and the science and technology sector.

State Population

Idaho's population is growing very quickly, both through natural increase and immigration. Idaho ranks third in the United States in terms of population growth, behind only Nevada and Arizona.

Racial composition of the state of Idaho:
■ White - about 96%
■ Black - less than 1%
■ Asians - about 1.5%
■ American Indians - about 2%

The largest ethnic groups in Idaho's population are:
■ Germans - 18.9%
■ English - 18.1%
■ Irish - 10%

The largest groups among the population of Idaho by religious affiliation are:
■ Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons) - 23%
■ Evangelical Christians - 22%
■ Catholics - 18%

State attractions

The state of Idaho has unique natural sites: Hells Canyon, Shoshone Falls and Craters of the Moon.

Hells Canyon is formed by the Snake River and is located on the border of Idaho and Oregon. The depth of Hells Canyon is 2436 meters, it is the deepest canyon in the United States (more than half a kilometer deeper than the famous Grand Canyon in Arizona).

Shoshone Falls is located on the Snake River near Twin Falls in Idaho. This beautiful waterfall is called the “Niagara of the West”. The height of Shoshoni Falls is about 65 meters - 11 meters higher than Niagara Falls. The width of the waterfall is 274 meters.

The Craters of the Moon National Monument and Wildlife Refuge is located in central Idaho. Three lava fields formed by a volcanic eruption occupy almost three thousand square kilometers. The unique landscape was called “Craters of the Moon” due to its resemblance to the surface of the Earth’s satellite.

The famous Yellowstone National Park is located on the territory of three states - Idaho, Wyoming (most of it) and Montana.

The famous Sun Valley resort, the first winter resort in the USA, is very popular among tourists and ski lovers.

Other attractions include:

■ World Center for Birds of Prey;
■ resort in the Sawtooth Valley;
■ Crystal Falls Cave;
■ hot springs (Lava Hot Springs);
■ lakes Pend Oreille and Lake Coeur d'Alene;
■ Pointed Mountains National Recreation Area.

The state capital of Boise, or the “City of Trees,” is home to many museums and city parks. A river flows in the center of the city. You can visit: Idaho Military History Museum (state military history museum), Idaho Anne Frank Human Rights Memorial, Idaho Black History Museum (museum dedicated to films featuring African Americans and the history of African Americans in cinema), the World Center for Birds of Prey (zoo for birds of prey).

Idaho State University

The University of Idaho is the state's main university. It was founded as the first in the state on January 30, 1889, as part of a land grant program for universities. The university is located in the city of Moscow in the north-central part of the state.

Since its founding, the university has remained the only one in the state for 74 years. On October 3, 1892, the university accepted the first group of 40 students. The first graduating class in 1896 consisted of only two men and two women. Currently, the average number of university graduates annually exceeds 11,000 people. The university has 142 educational programs for bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees. There are a total of 30 types of diplomas and certificates of completion of training. In general, the profile of the university is predominantly research. The university campus is the largest in the state, located in the Palus region at an elevation of about 800 meters above sea level.

According to Forbes magazine in 2010, the university ranks 318th in the overall ranking of US universities and colleges.

Idaho State Symbols

■ Idaho's state bird is the blue sialia (Sialia currucoides, azure mountain bird).
■ Idaho's state fish is Clark's salmon (Oncorhynchus clarkii).
■ Idaho's state plant is mock orange (Philadelphus lewisii).
■ Idaho's state berry is the blueberry.
■ Idaho State Gem - Idaho Star Garnets.
■ Idaho's state vegetable is potatoes.
■ Idaho's state tree is the mountain Weymouth pine (Pinus monticola).
■ Idaho State Dance - Square Dance.

Curious facts

■ The official state seal is the first and only state seal in U.S. history designed by a woman, Emma Edwards Green.
■ The oldest archaeological finds in the United States, dating back more than 14 thousand years, were found in the state.
■ The small Idaho town of Lava Hot Springs is home to world famous hot springs.
■ Hells Canyon is deeper than the Grand Canyon. It is considered the deepest canyon in America.
■ Sun Valley is the first ski resort created in the USA (in 1936)
■ The world's first chairlift for skiers was installed in Sun Valley in the fall of 1936
■ Soda Springs boasts the largest geyser in the world.
■ There are more than two thousand lakes in the state, but they cover only 880 square miles.
■ Agriculture occupies a leading place in the economy. The most important product is potatoes. Idaho grows 30 percent of the U.S. potatoes and 25 percent of the barley used in the nation's beer.

Funny State Laws in Idaho

■ It is prohibited to fish while sitting on a camel.
■ It is illegal to give a woman a box of chocolates that weighs less than 50 pounds.
■ The City of Boise prohibits fishing while riding a giraffe.
■ In the city of Coeur d'Alene, if a police officer is going to approach a car in which, in his opinion, they are having sex, he must honk his horn or flash his headlights and wait 3 minutes before approaching.
■ In Pocatello, you have to smile when you're in a crowded place.

The state of Idaho is located in the northwestern part of America. Covers an area of ​​216,632 km?. It became part of the United States on July 3, 1890. Postal name abbreviation – ID. The capital is Boise.

origin of name

There are several options for the origin of the state's name.

1. In the mid-19th century, the US Government decided to establish a new territory in the northwest of the country. Congressman George Willing suggested calling it “Idaho,” which in the Shoshoni Indian language meant “Sun Coming from the Mountains.” Members of the government did not like the name and approved their own version - Colorado. Willing later admitted that "Idaho" was a made-up name.

2. The word "Idaho" is translated from the Shoshoni language as "rising sun."

3. The Athabaskan tribe used this word to call their enemies - the Kamanches.

4. There is a fact in history that in 1860 the ship Idaho was launched on the Columbia River, and in honor of it, in 1861, a new territory was named.

Population and religion

According to statistics from the US Census Bureau, as of July 1, 2014, the population of Idaho is 1,634,464 people.

Men - 50.1%, women - 49.9%. People over 65 years of age - 12.4%. The average age is 34.6 years.

Racial composition of the population:

• Whites - 1,396,487 (89.1%);
• African Americans - 9,810 (0.6%)
• Indians - 21,441 (1.4%)
• Asians - 19,069 (1.2%);
• Hispanic/Latino: 175,901 (11.2%);
• Others - 79,523 (4.2%);
• Two or more races - 38,935 (2.5%).

Religious composition of the population:

• Mormons - 23%
• Evangelists - 22%
• Catholics - 18%
• Adherents of other Protestant denominations - 16%
• Christians, Islamists, Buddhists, Jews, Hindus - does not exceed 3%.

Major cities in Idaho:

Boise

Geography and climate

The climate in Idaho is temperate. In July in the southwest the temperature rises to 37°C and above. The average temperature in January is below 0°C. In winter, heavy rainfall falls in the mountains and the thermometer drops below -30°C. Hurricanes and tornadoes are very rare occurrences in this area.

Economy

Most of Idaho's revenue comes from:

• Agriculture - dairy products, meat, potatoes, wheat, hay.
• Manufacturing - cotton products, electronics (Micron Technology, Hewlett-Packard, etc.), food industry, wood, metallurgy, chemicals, paper.
• Mining of silver, phosphorites, gold, clay, copper, crushed stone, etc.
• Services - wholesale trade, insurance, real estate, medicine, advocacy and tourism ().

Education

Idaho has three public universities:

• University of Idaho (Moscow)
• Idaho State University (Pocatello)
• Boise State University (Boise)

And five public colleges:

• College of Southern Idaho
• College of Western Idaho
• Eastern Idaho Technical College
• North Idaho College
• Lewis–Clark State College

There are also more than 20 private universities and colleges.

Sports clubs

• Boise Hawks (baseball)
• Idaho Falls Chukars (baseball)
• Idaho Stampede (basketball)
• Idaho Steelheads (hockey)
• Boise State Broncos (Collegiate Athletic Association)
• Idaho Vandals (college athletic association)
• Idaho State Bengals (College Athletic Association)

State attractions

• Hells Canyon
• Craters of the Moon
• Shoshone Falls
• (Yellowstone National Park)
• Sun Valley Ski Resort
• Sawtooth Scenic Byway
• Coeur D'Alene

Idaho Official Website - www.idaho.gov

Capital of Idaho: Boise
Official name: State of Idaho (ID)
Largest city: Boise
Other major cities: Nampa, Idaho Falls, Pocatello, Meridian, Coeur d'Alene, Twin Falls, Caldwell, Lewiston
State nicknames: Gem state, Famous Potatoes
State motto: Let it be so forever (Latin: Esto perpetuum)
State formation date: 1890 (43rd in order)


The name Idaho comes from the language of the Shoshone Indian tribe. According to different versions, “Idaho” in their language meant a mountain gem, a pearl of the mountains, or the sun coming from the mountains. The state of Idaho is surrounded by the states of Washington, Oregon, Nevada, Utah, Wyoming, Montana, and borders Canada to the north.

Population of Idaho

Idaho's population is growing rapidly, both through natural increase and immigration. Idaho ranks third in the United States in terms of population growth, behind only Nevada and Arizona.

Ethnic composition of Idaho

• white - about 96%,
• black - less than 1%,
• Asians - about 1.5%,
• Indians - about 2%

Ethnic composition of Idaho

• Germans - about 19%,
• English - about 18%,
• Irish - more than 10%,
• Americans - about 9%,
• Norwegians - more than 3.5%,
• Swedes - more than 3.5%.

State History

In the territory of the modern state of Idaho, people have lived for over fourteen thousand years. By the 18th century Indians of 6 tribes lived here: Kootenay, Pandorei, Cordalen, Nez Perce in the north; Northern Shoshone and Northern Paiute are in the south. In 1959, excavations at Wilson Butte Cave near Twin Falls unearthed arrowheads that are among the oldest artifacts found in North America.
The first permanent settlement of Europeans was founded here in 1810. The Europeans were brought here by the hunt for “soft gold”—furs. Over the next decades, the northwestern territories were actively developed by large fur companies. At the same time, the first Christian missionaries appeared here. During this time, the region of the northwestern United States, of which Idaho later became a part, was known as "Oregon Country." Its ownership was disputed by the United States and Great Britain. It was not until 1846 that the United States gained undisputed jurisdiction over this region under the Oregon Treaty between the United States and Britain.
In 1860, gold was discovered in Idaho, sparking an influx of prospectors and a gold rush. In the 1960s, Idaho accounted for one-fifth of all gold production in the United States. In 1880, silver deposits were discovered in Idaho.
At the end of the 19th and beginning of the 20th centuries, Idaho was one of the most progressive states in the United States. The laws granting women's suffrage (1896) and the prohibition of alcoholic beverages (1916) were passed here before the US federal government passed the same laws.
At the end of the 19th century, agriculture began to actively develop in the state, along with the mainstay of Idaho's economy, the mining industry. In the thirties of the 20th century, the first ski resorts appeared, including the famous Sun Valley resort.

Due to the decline in mining in the mid-20th century, some Idaho towns fell into disrepair, were abandoned by residents, and became “ghost towns.”
The state's current problems are largely related to environmental protection.

State attractions

Hells Canyon is formed by the Snake River and is located on the border of Idaho and Oregon. The depth of the canyon is 2436 meters, it is the deepest canyon in the United States (more than half a kilometer deeper than the famous Grand Canyon in Arizona).

Shoshone Falls is located on the Snake River near Twin Falls in Idaho. This beautiful waterfall is called the “Niagara of the West”. The height of Shoshoni Falls is about 65 meters - 11 meters higher than Niagara Falls. The width of the waterfall is 274 meters.

Central Idaho is home to the Craters of the Moon National Monument and Wildlife Refuge. Three lava fields formed by a volcanic eruption occupy almost three thousand square kilometers. The unique landscape was called “Craters of the Moon” due to its resemblance to the surface of the Earth’s satellite.

The famous Sun Valley resort, the first winter resort in the USA, is very popular among tourists and ski lovers.

Lake Pend Oreille and Lake Coeur d'Alene

Idaho State Capitol in the state capital, Boise.

The 4-person Sweet Willie Hotel is located in Idaho's Poplar Park.

Sun Valley, Bald Mountain, Idaho.

Curious facts

■ The official state seal is the first and only state seal in U.S. history designed by a woman, Emma Edwards Green.
■ The oldest archaeological finds in the United States, dating back more than 14 thousand years, were found in the state.
■ The small Idaho town of Lava Hot Springs is home to world famous hot springs.
■ Hells Canyon is deeper than the Grand Canyon. It is considered the deepest canyon in America.
■ Sun Valley is the first ski resort created in the USA (in 1936)
■ The world's first chairlift for skiers was installed in Sun Valley in the fall of 1936
■ Soda Springs boasts the largest geyser in the world.
■ There are more than two thousand lakes in the state, but they cover only 880 square miles.
■ Agriculture occupies a leading place in the economy. The most important product is potatoes. Idaho grows 30 percent of the U.S. potatoes and 25 percent of the barley used in the nation's beer.

Funny State Laws in Idaho

■ It is prohibited to fish while sitting on a camel.
■ It is illegal to give a woman a box of chocolates that weighs less than 50 pounds.
■ The City of Boise prohibits fishing while riding a giraffe.
■ In Coeur d'Alene, if a police officer is about to approach a car that he thinks is having sex, he must honk his horn or flash his lights and wait 3 minutes before approaching.
■ In Pocatello, you have to smile when you're in a crowded place.

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