Idaho Geography

Basic Facts

• Geographical Region: West
• Size: 83574 sq.mi., 14th rank overall.
• Admitted to Statehood: July 3, 1890
• Population: 1,545,801;39th rank overall.
• Capital: Boise
• Other Major City: Nampa
• Abbreviation: ID

Fun Facts

• Nickname: Gem State
• State Flag: Click Here (opens window to 50states.com)
• State Bird: Mountain Bluebird (opens window to 50states.com)
• State Flower: Syringa (opens window to 50states.com)

Geographical Description

• Extending through the northern panhandle of Idaho is the Rocky Mountains containing North America's deepest gorge called Hells Canyon. Several mountain ranges make up this section such as: the Bitterroot Mountain Range which lies along the Montana border; the Coeur d'Alene Mountains in the northern panhandle; Seven Devils Mountains rise along Idaho's border with Oregon in the west; Clearwater Mountains; Salmon River Mountains and Sawtooth Mountains.
• In central Idaho, the Lost River Range contains the highest peak, Borah Peak at 12,662 feet above sea level.
• The Columbia Plateau makes up the base of the panhandle. It follows along the Snake River.
• The southern section of Idaho is called the Basin and Range Region. This area is characterized by grassy plateaus and deep valleys in the mountainous sections.
• Major rivers in Idaho include the Coeur d'Alene, the Snake, the St. Joe, the St. Maries and the Kootenai Rivers.

Map: Relief Map of ID

Industry

Manufacturing, food processing, lumber and wood products, electrical and computer equipment, machinery, chemical products, paper products, silver and other mining, tourism.

Agriculture

Cattle, potatoes, dairy products, wheat, hay, sugar beets, barley, beans

Other Information

Fun Facts:

• In Idaho it is illegal for a citizen to give another citizen a box of candy that weighs more than 50 pounds.
• The entire town of American Falls was moved in the mid-1920s when the original American Falls Dam was constructed.
• Silver Valley in northern Idaho is one of the top 10 mining districts in the world. The area has produced more than $4 billion in precious metal since 1884.
• Montana sheriff turned outlaw, Henry Plummer, is believed to have hidden his treasure in Beaver Canyon near Spencer. It has never been located.
• Five of history's pioneer trails, including the Oregon Trail and the California Trail, cross Southern Idaho. Wagon ruts are still visible all along the rugged terrain.

More Fun Facts: http://www.50states.com/facts/idaho.htm