Idaho is a state in the Northwestern United States.

The largest city in the state is the capital of Boise.

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

Among other states, Idaho is 13th in area and 42nd in 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 debating the creation of a new territory in the Rocky Mountains, mining lobbyist George Willing proposed calling it Idaho. He claimed that "Idaho" was a Shoshoni Indian word meaning "pearl of the mountains" or "sun coming from the mountains." However, Congress questioned Willing's arguments regarding the origin of the word, and the new territory was given the name "Colorado".

It is noteworthy that one of the cities of Colorado in 1859 was named Idaho (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 Athabaskan tribe to refer to the Comanche tribe.

On June 9, 1860, a steamboat called the Idaho was launched down the Columbia River. The newly formed Idaho County was named in his honor in 1861. In 1863, a new territory separated from Washington Territory and was named after the county. In 1890, Idaho became a state.

State history

On the territory of the modern state of Idaho, people have lived for over fourteen thousand years. In 1959, during excavations at Wilson Butte Cave near Twin Falls, arrowheads were found that are among the oldest artifacts found in North America.
By the time Europeans appeared on the territory of modern Idaho, Indian tribes lived here - the Nez Perce peoples in the north and the Shoshone and Bannocks in the south.
Idaho was the last of the fifty states to be explored. 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 established in 1810, when Andrew Henry established a fort on the upper Snake River. 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 in the northwestern United States that Idaho later became a part of was known as the "Oregon Country". Ownership of it was disputed by the United States and Britain. It was not until 1846 that the United States gained undisputed jurisdiction over the region under the Treaty of Oregon between the United States and Britain.
The Oregon Territory, formed in 1848, included the present-day states of Washington, Oregon, and Idaho.
In 1860, gold was found in Idaho, which caused an influx of prospectors and a "gold rush". In the 1960s, Idaho accounted for one-fifth of all US gold mining.
On March 4, 1863, US President Abraham Lincoln signed into law the creation of the Idaho Territory from Washington Territory and Dakota Territory. Lewiston became the capital of the new territory.
In 1880, silver deposits were found in Idaho. On July 3, 1890, the Idaho Territory became a state.
IN late XIX At the beginning of the 20th century, Idaho was one of the most progressive states in the United States. Women's suffrage laws (1896) and liquor prohibition laws (1916) were passed here before the same laws were passed by the US federal government.

At the end of the 19th century, in the state, along with the basis of the Idaho economy, the mining industry, began to actively develop Agriculture. In the thirties of the XX century, the first ski resorts appeared, including the famous Sun Valley resort - “Sun Valley”.

Due to the fall in the level of mining in the middle of the 20th century, some Idaho cities fell into decay, were abandoned by residents and became "ghost towns".

Currently, the main industries in Idaho are mining, agriculture, largely represented by the cultivation of potatoes, and the scientific and technical sector.

State population

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

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

The largest ethnic groups among the population of Idaho:
■ Germans - 18.9%
■ British - 18.1%
■ Irish - 10%

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

State Attractions

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 Idaho-Oregon border. At 2,436 meters deep, Hells Canyon is the deepest canyon in the United States (more than half a kilometer deeper than Arizona's famous Grand Canyon).

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

The Craters of the Moon are located in central Idaho, a US National Monument and Preserve. Three lava fields formed by a volcanic eruption occupy almost three thousand square kilometers. The unique landscape was called "Craters of the Moon" because of the similarity with the surface of the Earth's satellite.

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

Very popular among tourists and lovers of skiing is the famous resort "Sun Valley" (Sun Valley), the first winter resort in the United States.

Other attractions include:

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

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

Idaho State University

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

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

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

Idaho state symbols

■ Idaho's state bird is the blue sialia (Sialia currucoides, blue mountain bird).
■ Idaho state fish - Clark's salmon (Oncorhynchus clarkii).
■ The Idaho plant is the mock orange (Philadelphus lewisii).
■ The Idaho state berry is blueberry.
■ Gemstone of the state of Idaho - Star of Idaho grenades.
■ Idaho's vegetable is the potato.
■ Idaho State Tree - Mountain Weymouth Pine (Pinus monticola).
■ Dance of the state of Idaho - square dance.

Curious facts

■ The official state seal is the first and only state seal in US history created by a woman, Emma Edwards Green.
■ More than 14,000 years old, the oldest archaeological finds in the United States, 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)
■ In the fall of 1936, the world's first chair lift for skiers was installed in Sun Valley
■ Soda Springs boasts the largest geyser in the world.
■ There are over two thousand lakes in the state, but they cover only 880 square miles.
■ The leading place in the economy is occupied by agriculture. The most important product is potatoes. Idaho grows 30 percent of the US potato and 25 percent of the country's barley.

Funny state laws in Idaho

■ It is forbidden to fish while sitting on a camel.
■ It is against the law to give a woman a box of chocolates that weighs less than 50 pounds.
■ In Boise, it is illegal to fish while sitting on a giraffe.
■ In the city of Coeur d "Alene, if a policeman is going to approach a car in which, in his opinion, they are having sex, he must honk or flash his headlights and wait 3 minutes before approaching.
■ In Pocatello, being in a crowded place, you are obliged to smile.

Feel like on the moon? - Easily. Come to Idaho and visit the Valley of the Lunar Craters - a unique place on the planet that exactly repeats the relief of its satellite. And in this one of the most sparsely populated states in the country, you can see a canyon deeper than the famous Grand Canyon, a waterfall higher than Niagara, salmon-filled rivers that make their way right in the city center, crystal-clear lakes, deep forests, hot springs and many other natural treasures. , which boasts a "gem state" (this is the nickname given to Idaho), rich not only in gold, but also in natural attractions. What can I say, Idaho - perfect place holidays for the adventurous.

The largest city in the state and its capital is the city of Boise, the most big cities: Nampa, Idaho Falls, Pocatello, etc. The area is very mountainous. To the northeast are the Clearwater mountain ranges and, along the Montana border, Bitterroot, which is part of the Rocky Mountains. In the central part of the state are the mountains of Salmon River, Southout and White Cloud, in the north-central - Lemhi and Lost River.

Feel like on the moon? - Easily. Come to Idaho and visit the Valley of the Lunar Craters - a unique place on the planet that exactly repeats the relief of its satellite.

How to get there

If you decide to vacation in Idaho, you will have to fly with one or two transfers. Avid tourists traditionally choose one of major cities state - its capital or Idaho Falls. The flight from one capital to another (Moscow - Boise) will take about 20 hours with one or two transfers. In Idaho Falls, an air taxi will take you from Sheremetyevo (with two transfers) in 20 hours.

In addition, from Moscow you can fly to other cities in the state: Hailey, Lewiston and Twin Falls. In this case, neither the flight time, nor the number of transfers, nor the cost of the ticket will change significantly - a little patience, 20 hours and you are in Idaho!

Search for flights to Idaho Falls (nearest airport to Idaho)

It is better to travel around the state by car, which you can rent, or by trains. By the way, although the railway communication in the country is very developed, the train ticket is not cheap. However, the undoubted advantage of such a trip is the opportunity to enjoy plenty of the beautiful views that the state is famous for, without the risk of getting lost or missing the right turn, looking at the enchanting primordial nature of these places. Although, on the other hand, maybe just getting lost, you will come across unexplored deposits of natural beauties.

You can rent a car for every taste and color, paying for an iron horse from 52 USD per day, and the World Wide Web allows you to book a car at home, sitting on the couch.

Prices on the page are for November 2018.

Weather in Idaho

The climate in Idaho is varied (from +44 ° C in the summer in the valleys to -30 ° C in the mountains in winter), the hottest month is July (up to +38 ° C), but the heat is "easier" with low humidity and cool evenings in the summer months. By the way, the famous American hurricanes do not reach here.

In winter, the temperature does not drop below zero for a long time (although occasionally there are frosts down to -30 ° C, so do not forget a warm jacket when traveling in winter).

Popular hotels in Idaho

Entertainment and attractions

Speaking about the sights of Idaho, first of all, it is necessary, of course, to mention the unique natural objects state. The most famous of them are Hells Canyon, Shoshone Falls, Lunar Craters, World Birds of Prey Center. Among the entertainments here are fishing, excursions by car, motorcycles, bicycles, skiing, rafting, mountain climbing, many museums and galleries and, of course, endless photography, admiring stunning views and an extensive collection of experiences.

Hells Canyon

"Devil, or hellish" canyon, and this is how the name of this masterpiece of nature is translated, formed by the Snake River and located on the border of the states of Idaho and Oregon. The depth of Hells Canyon is 2436 m, it is the deepest canyon in the USA (more than half a kilometer deeper than the famous Grand Canyon in Arizona). Three hydroelectric power plants have been built in the canyon. Interestingly, when they were built, "fish ladders" were provided, allowing salmon fish to climb upstream during spawning. How can you not envy these scaly ones?!

The deepest river gorge in North America has almost 160 km of wild river elements unconquered by man, which attract lovers of kayaking, rafting and other extreme sports. And who likes to spend time in a more relaxed atmosphere - can go fishing.

The rivers of Hells Canyon are teeming with the biggest freshwater fish on the planet - white sturgeon!

Shoshone Falls

Shoshone Falls is located on the Snake River near Twin Falls, Idaho. This beautiful waterfall is called the "Niagara of the West". The height of Shoshone Falls is about 65 meters - 11 meters higher than Niagara Falls. The width of the waterfall is 274 meters. Like a hereditary sorceress, the waterfall enchants with its majestic noise, captivating inexperienced tourists for hours to admire it.

Shoshone Falls

lunar craters

Central Idaho is home to the Craters of the Moon, one of the most stunning national monuments and reserves in the United States. Three lava fields formed by a volcanic eruption occupy almost three thousand square meters. km. The unique landscape was called "Craters of the Moon" because of the similarity with the surface of the Earth's satellite.

It turns out to feel like a conqueror of other planets and a hero " Star Wars You can do it without going into space.

There were "Moon craters" about two centuries ago as a result of a volcanic eruption. The landscape looks unreal, and the silence of this place is just amazing. Yes, an unforgettable contrast after the Shoshone Falls. 80 sq. km were covered with columns of incredible structure, mysterious caves and space craters. Petrified mutilated trees stick out around, terrifying, for which they were called the Devil's Garden. Many have preserved not only trunks and roots, but even individual branches.

The caves amaze with their size, and fantastic shapes, and antiquity, and the fact that even on the hottest day they maintain sub-zero temperatures, some even have ice. It turns out that you can feel like a conqueror of other planets and a Star Wars hero without going into space.

Sunny Valley

Very popular among tourists and lovers of skiing is the Sun Valley resort - "Sun Valley", the first winter resort in the United States, modeled on resorts in the Alps.

Today, two ski areas with a total area of ​​​​more than 2.5 square meters are open for vacationers in the Valley. km, a large number of lifts made according to last word technology, there is a huge skating rink, which often hosts ice performances with the participation of Olympic stars, restaurants, cafes, hotels, shops.

At the skating rink, you can rent figure or hockey skates for 6 USD. Entrance for adults will cost 12 USD; children - 10 USD; child under 5 years old is free.

Skiing on the slopes of Sun Valley or lacing up your skates, don't be surprised if you see Arnold Schwarzenegger or Bill Clinton in your neighborhood. This place has long been chosen by American celebrities - Clark Gable, Marilyn Monroe rested here, Ernest Hemingway lived here last days. The film "Sun Valley Serenade" was filmed here.

Ski lovers come here from all over the world for the sun (there are 335 sunny days a year), snow, air and silence, and the Sun Valley resort welcomes everyone who wants to be in a fairy tale and believes that a miracle will certainly happen to him.

Idaho (eng. Idaho) is a US state in the Pacific Northwest in a group of mountainous states. In 2010, over 1,500,000 people lived in Idaho. Among other states, Idaho is 14th in area and 39th in population. The largest city in the state and its capital is Boise. It houses the main state government offices, including the legislature of Idaho.

Year of formation: 1890 (43rd in order) State Slogan: So be it forever (Latin: Esto perpetuum) Formal title: State of Idaho Largest city in the state: boise Capital of Idaho: Boise Population: over 1 million people (39th in the country). Area: 214 thousand sq. km. (14th place in the country). Other big cities in the state: Nampa, Idaho Falls, Pocatello, Meridian, Coeur d'Alene, Twin Falls, Caldwell, Lewiston

The main sectors of the state economy are agriculture, largely represented by the cultivation of potatoes, mining and the scientific and technical sector. In the first half of the 19th century, furs were actively mined in this area.

In the middle of the 19th century, large deposits of precious metals were discovered in Idaho, which served as an impetus for an active influx of first settlers and obtaining the status of a territory. The state of Idaho on July 3, 1890, the 43rd in a row. Mining in the state is still developed. The state even has the official nickname "Gem State" due to its abundance of natural resources. Currently, the state is one of the most "republican" in the country.

The area of ​​the state is 216,446 km² (compare with the area of ​​Belarus: 207,560 km²). According to this indicator, Idaho ranks 14th among other states. The total water surface area is 2,131 km², which in relative terms is 0.98% of the area of ​​Idaho. 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 is from 72 to 491 km in the narrowest and widest parts, respectively. In the south, Idaho borders the states of Utah and Nevada, in the north - with the Canadian province of British Columbia, in the east - with the state of Wyoming and to the west, along the Bitterroot Range, with the state of Montana; To 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 over 1,400 million years old. The state 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 of 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 over 2,000 lakes in the state. the largest lake is Pand Ouray, with an area of ​​466 km².

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

Ecology

Idaho's major ecoregions are semi-arid shrub and grass communities, irrigated farmland, volcanic highlands and lava valleys, wooded mountains and hills, and swamps. In total, there are 10 major ecoregions in the state, which in turn are divided into 71 local ecoregions. The geography of ecosystems correlates with the geological features of the state. Thus, in the area of ​​the geological province of the Aidakh batholith, 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, hosting a significant proportion of the state's farmland and growing crops such as sugar beets, potatoes, cereals, and other crops; pastures are located in the region. The southwest and southeast of the state is represented by arid steppes. In the north of the state, for the most part, there is an ecoregion similar in characteristics to the Idaho batholith. However, it presents large quantity species distributed as far as the Pacific coast and thus dependent 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 much less moisture.

Climate

The topographic features of the state are reflected in the heterogeneity of its climate. Despite the distance of almost 500 km from the Pacific Ocean, the climate of Idaho is significantly influenced by western sea air currents, which are the main source of atmospheric moisture. IN summer periods air masses also bring moisture from the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean. In winter, the average values ​​of 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 susceptible to the influence of offshore winds than the surrounded mountain ranges southern part, climatic conditions in these regions are different. In general, Idaho's climate is temperate, with an arid climate predominating in the south of the state.

In the northern part of the state, the annual rainfall is higher than in the southern part: 76 and 33 cm, respectively. Winters in the north of the state experience higher temperatures and humidity than in the south. The difference in humidity values ​​for the northern and southern regions can be up to four times. For the southeastern region of Idaho, the average temperatures and humidity are lower than for the western and northern regions, respectively.

The coldest month is January: the average temperature lies below zero. During winter, the mountainous regions of the north and east of the state often experience temperatures below -30°C. In the mountains, heavy precipitation falls: an average of 51 cm of rain and 89 cm of snow. July is the hottest month. The highest temperatures are recorded in the flat 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 dam of the city of Island Park and was -51 ° C. The highest - July 28, 1934, it was equal to 48 ° C.

Hurricanes and tornadoes are extremely rare. The growing season varies from about 200 days in the northwest of the state, from 150 days in the Snake, Boise, and Payette basins, to about 125 days in the Pocatello and Idaho Falls area, to none in the highland areas where the land is mainly used under pasture.

Population

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

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

About half of 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

Due to its historical, geographical and ethnographic characteristics, the state has developed its own unique trends in traditions, art, cuisine and other aspects. Long before the arrival of Europeans, many Indians lived in Idaho. Subsequently, many counties and settlements of the state were named after Indian tribes and terminology. Your contribution to cultural heritage The Hawaiians also made the state: in honor of the hired workers of the fur companies and members of the expeditions from the Hawaiian Islands, the district of Owaihe was named. Among the mountainmen and the first settlers 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 the miners were Chinese. In total, according to this year's census, 4,269 Chinese lived in Idaho (28.5% of the total population). Between 1900 and 1920, many Basque immigrants arrived in Idaho. Boise now has the largest Basque community in the United States. In 1914, the state's first Jewish governor, Moses Alexander, was elected. Idaho hosts many fairs, festivals, and pioneering events. The town of Shelley hosts an "Annual Spud Day" every September to celebrate the state's main crop. Idaho is home to 68 movie theaters and over 150 museums. Potatoes have had a notable influence on the cuisine of the state. There is even a separate variety of Idaho potatoes, which differs large size and served to the table 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 part of the state's economy. Idaho grows one third of the potatoes in the United States. One of the popular varieties is Russet Burbank. In addition to potatoes, three types of wheat are grown in the state. In terms of the total production of potatoes, as well as in the production of trout, pelushka and lentils, the state ranks first. In Idaho, the production of food products, wood and products from it, the machine and chemical industries, the production of paper, electronics, and the development of silver and gold deposits are developed. Gooding is home to the largest processed cheese raw material plant in the country, owned by the Irish company Glanbia. Idaho is home to much of Anheuser-Busch's manufacturing facility. Major jet boat manufacturers are located in Idaho. The clothing retailer Coldwater Creek is headquartered in Sandpoint.

The largest sector of the state's economy 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%. Average level salaries in this industry are 92% higher than in the same area on average in the country. The Idaho National Laboratory for Nuclear Power Research is a significant contributor to the economy of the eastern part of the state. Since the late 1970s, Boise has become a center of semiconductor manufacturing: the city is home to the headquarters of Micron Technology, the country's only DRAM manufacturer. Also located in Boise is a large division of Hewlett-Packard Corporation. Pocatello is home to a large semiconductor manufacturer, ON Semiconductor. The state is home to the Oracle Corporation office and Alliant Techsystems aerospace divisions.

Income tax varies from 1.6% to 7.8% for eight tax brackets. The state sales tax is 6%. In addition to other goods, the following are taxed:

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

The counties and cities of the state have the right to set an additional tax rate.

In Idaho, there is a state lottery, from the income of which, since 1990, the maintenance of school districts (English) Russian. and higher educational institutions$473.8 million was allocated.

Idaho(English) Idaho) - state located in the western United States, in the Pacific Northwest in the Mountain States group, 43rd in a row. Area - 216.4 thousand square meters. km. Population - 1.2 million people (2000), about 50% - in cities. The capital is Boisey. There are no big cities.

State Nickname:

Gem State(Gem State)

Geography and climate

Idaho borders the Canadian province of British Columbia to the north, Wyoming and Montana to the east, Oregon and Washington to the west, and Utah and Nevada to the south.

Most of Idaho is occupied by the southern edge of the Columbian Plateau and the Rocky Mountains up to 3857 m high. In the southwest there is a plateau, the valley of the river. Snake, the state is located almost entirely in the Columbia River basin. Evergreen forests occupy about two-thirds of its territory. In terms of area of ​​national forest reserves, Idaho ranks 3rd in the country. The climate is continental, moderated by western winds. The state is rich in minerals (about 64% of the state's land belongs to the federal government): silver (the first place in mining in the US), zinc, gold, phosphates, lead. Phosphorites are also being developed.

Economy

The leading place in the economy is occupied by agriculture, which is developed mainly in the southern part of Idaho: 35% of the cultivated area (over 1 million hectares) is irrigated. About 30% of Idaho's area is occupied by farms, about a third of this area is cultivated, the rest and most of the state land is under pastures. The most important product is the potato (1st place in the United States in terms of crops), the cultivation of wheat, barley, sugar beets, and fodder grasses is developed. Horticulture is developed (mainly apple trees). About half of the value of marketable agricultural products comes from animal husbandry, mainly pasture beef cattle breeding.

The main development of industry began in the 40s. XX century and is associated with woodworking, food industry, electronics, non-ferrous metallurgy (Kellogg).

Tourism (Solnechnaya Dolina, etc.).

Story

The lands of Idaho were inhabited more than 14 thousand years ago. By the 18th century Indians of 6 tribes lived here: Kutene, Pandorei, Cordalen, Nez Perse in the north; Northern Shoshone and Northern Paiute are in the south.

After the expedition of Lewis and Clark in 1805–06, trappers explored these lands in search of beaver colonies, and the valley of the river. Snake has become a site of rivalry between Canadian and American merchants. By 1840, the region was controlled by the Hudson's Bay Company - for several years it maintained posts serving settlers heading west along the Oregon and California trails.

The USA received Oregon lands, which included the lands of the modern state, in 1846. The first permanent American settlements were founded in 1860 by miners and Mormons, which coincided in time with the discovery of gold deposits and the entry of Idaho into Washington Territory; the independent Territory of Idaho, which included present-day Montana and almost all of Wyoming, was proclaimed by an act of Congress in 1863. When the formation of these territories as independent units was completed in 1864 and 1868, the territory of Idaho was divided into two parts by mountains. The discovery of silver deposits in 1880 and 1884 stabilized its economy.

By 1888, most Idahoans supported the Republican Party, which promoted the territory's statehood in 1890. The state constitution had been adopted the year before.

The fall in the price of silver (1888–92) and the ensuing panic severely damaged the state's economy and led to the growth of the influence of the populist party and the activation of the miners' trade union movement.

With the onset of the 20th century linked second period rapid development the state and its establishment as a nationwide agricultural center, which was interrupted by the Great Depression; the state received a lot of federal assistance during the New Deal period. During the Second World War, the development of the economy was greatly facilitated by the creation of large military bases and a test site (National Reactor Testing Station).

The current problems of the state are largely related to environmental protection.

Idaho Idaho is the 39th most populous and 14th largest state in the northwestern United States, this data suggests that the state is not the most populous, is in 7th place from the bottom. In terms of area, Idaho surpasses in general all the lands of New England in the United States. In the United States, Idaho was admitted rather late, meaning on July 3, 1890, then it became the 43rd state out of the 50 that are now. Idaho is bordered by Wyoming to the east, Nevada and Utah to the south, and Washington and Oregon to the west, the Canadian province of British Columbia to the north, and the state of Montana to the northeast.

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

People come to Idaho to look at the waterfalls of Idaho Falls, there is also a beautiful park, fishing, golf, and skiing in winter. Interesting lake Coeur d'Alen, where there is fishing, 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, City of the Rocks National Wildlife Refuge. The capital of the state is the town of Boise, where there is a zoo, a picturesque river, golf and other sports are available.

Idaho is a potato state, agriculture is developed here, however, Idaho boasts even more of its precious stones, mining is still common here, Idaho is a “gem state”.

Politics in Idaho

A state in the north of the United States, as you might guess, Republicans love it here.

Geography of Idaho

The state of Idaho in its area is somewhere equal 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 is the Snake River Valley, 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.

Snake is navigable, but the state does not have 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 influence Pacific Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico, it is from the Pacific Ocean that all the rains come to Idaho. The climate in the south and north of the state is different, the northern part has a maritime climate, the southern is more continental. The amount of precipitation in the north is greater than in the south. Temperatures in winter are usually around 0 degrees, in the mountains frosts up to 20 degrees. Temperatures in summer can reach up to 35 degrees, this applies mainly to the river valley and large cities. Tornadoes and hurricanes that have fallen in love with the US territory in Idaho are very rare.

Flora and fauna

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

The fauna is represented by wapiti, elk, white-tailed deer, black-tailed deer, pronghorn, bighorn, cougar.

Endangered is the wolf, which is found north of the I-90 highway, dangerous grizzly bears, Canadian lynx.

Natural Attractions and National Parks in Idaho

Idaho is home to 30 parks and reserves, including 7 National Wildlife Refuge and 2 National Historic Landmarks.

by the most interesting place can be considered Yellowstone National Park, although it is only 1% in Idaho. Also in Idaho is the Oregon Put, Ne Perce National Historic Park, Minidoka National Historic Site, Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail, Hagerman Fossil Beds National Monument, Lunar Craters National Monument, national reserve City of Rocks and California Trail. National parks and forests in Idaho are often affected by fires.

Population of Idaho

The last 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 US in terms of population growth, after Nevada, Texas and California.

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

The racial makeup of Idaho was 89.1% White, 0.6% African American, 1.4% Indian, 1.2% Asian, 0.1% Oceanian, 2.5% two or more races. .

Half of the state's population lives in cities and agglomerations, including Boise, in Idaho there are also agglomerations of the cities of Coeur d'Alene, Idaho Falls, Pocatello and Lewiston.

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

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 to Idaho's 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 ticket in economy class will cost about $ 1,200, it is more profitable to leave Idaho for later, for example, including the state on the tour across the USA. You can move around the state by rental car, tourist buses or trains. Local residents, as you understand, move exclusively on their cars. Car rental in Idaho starts at $55 per day.

Two transcontinental railroads pass through Idaho, Railway, which links cities such as Seattle, Portland, and Spokane with Minneapolis and Chicago, links state counties such 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 in Idaho for tourists.

Hells Canyon or Hells Canyon National Recreation Area

A popular national recreation area in the United States, located between Idaho and Oregon, is administered by the US Forest Service. The recreation and walking area of ​​the Devil's Canyon has an area of ​​​​900 square kilometers, there are about 1,400 hiking trails that enter the state of Oregon. Hells Canyon is the largest in the US, it is 500 meters deeper even than the Grand Canyon in Arizona. There are 3 hydroelectric stations on the Snake River. This is a great place for rafting and rafting on the river, 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 for foot traffic. Geology suggests that Devil's Canyon was formed 300 million years ago with the help of volcanoes that spouted from the waters of the Pacific Ocean. Since the 1860s, gold has been found in the canyon area, the first mining settlements were opened here, and later mines were built. Local farms usually receive income only from tourism, the climate and soils here are not conducive to agriculture.

The main entertainment here is hunting, fishing, kayaking, rafting, hiking, camping. Tours to Hells Canyon are sold all year round, but most tourists come here only 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 from the river is taken to irrigate fields. The Shoshoni have existed since at least the end of the last ice age. There are 63 waterfalls in Idaho.

Lunar craters or Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve

The Idaho lunar craters are essentially traps, that is, a special type of continental magmatism, which is characterized by a huge volume of basalt outpouring in a geologically short time. The name comes from the Swedish word trappa - stairs, the ladders themselves are a bit like craters on the moon, hence the name. Craters of the Moon National Monument has an area of ​​2890 square kilometers and consists of 3 lava fields that were formed 200 years ago during volcanic eruptions. Absolutely not earthly landscape here, which consists of caves, columns, bizarre sculptures. However, NASA during the flights to the Moon from 1969 to 1972 made sure that in fact the Moon craters in Idaho have nothing to do with the lunar craters on the moon, where they are of meteorite origin, and volcanic on earth.

In 2000, the Idaho Lunar Craters were turned into a national park, which now extends over 3 lava fields. In 2002, a compromise was reached by local farmers and tourism organizations, today hunting is allowed in the park. The zone of lava fields was once inhabited by a brown bear, now skunks, foxes, lynxes, mountain lions, ground squirrels, bats live.

Pets, campfires, and all motorized vehicles, including bicycles, are not allowed in the nature reserve. Skiing is allowed on Loop Drive after it is closed to traffic at the end of November due to snow drifts.

There are no hotels familiar to us in the park, but there are 51 campsites, it is not possible to reserve places in them. The campsites have water, toilets, barbecues, garbage containers. There are also caves on the territory of the park: Dewdrop, Boy Scout, Indian Tunnel and Cave of Beauty. 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 Indian, head protection is recommended or be careful.