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Travel & Geography > The States & Territories
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The Regions of the United States | Facts & Statistics

Idaho, the "Gem State"
Abbreviation: ID

Idaho Flag
State Flag
Idaho Seal
State Seal

The state's name is thought to be an Indian name, Ee-dah-hoe, which means "gem of the mountains." Idaho, the 43rd state, joined the U.S. in 1890. Logging as well as mining are big industries in the state. But the state is probably best known for its potatoes. Idaho has a rugged landscape with some of the largest unspoiled natural areas in the country. Idaho is a Rocky Mountains state with exciting scenery and enormous natural resources. Idaho has towering, snow-capped mountain ranges, swirling white rapids, peaceful lakes and steep canyons. The churning waters of Snake River rush through Hells Canyon, which is deeper than the Grand Canyon. Shoshone Falls plunges down rugged cliffs from a height greater than that of Niagara Falls. Idaho is a skier's paradise but also provides excellent opportunities for hikers and campers during the summer.

Vermutlich leitet sich die Bezeichnung Idaho von dem indianischen Wort für "Edelstein der Berge" (Ee-dah-hoe) ab. Idaho wurde 1890 der 43. Staat der Vereinigten Staaten. Holzgewinnung und Bergbau sind große Industrien im Staat, aber wahrscheinlich ist Idaho am Besten für seine Kartoffeln bekannt. Idaho hat eine zerklüftete Landschaft und einige der umfangreichsten unverdorbenen Landschaftsregionen in Amerika. In den Rocky Mountains gelegen, hat Idaho eine atemberaubende Landschaft und reiche Bodenschätze. In Idaho findet man hohe, schneebedeckte Gebirge, tosende Wasserfälle, friedliche Seen und tiefe Schluchten. Die Stromschnellen des Snake River rauschen durch den Hells Canyon, der tiefer ist als der Grand Canyon. Die Shoshone Falls stürzen zerklüftete Felsen hinunter, die höher sind als die Felsen der Niagarafälle. Idaho ist ein Skiparadies, bietet aber auch im Sommer exzellente Möglichkeiten für Wanderer und Camper.

GOVERNMENT
Capital:
Boise
Governor: C.L. "Butch" Otter (Jan. 2007 to Jan. 2011)
Senators: James E. Risch, R (to Jan. 2015); Mike Crapo, R (to Jan. 2011)
House of Representatives: 2 districts | Search by zip code

STATISTICS
Population (July 2005): 1,429,000
; National Rank: 39; Percent change since April 2000: 10.4%
Land Area: 82,751 sq mi. (214,325 sq km); National Rank:
14
10 largest cities (2005 est):
Boise, 193,161; Nampa, 71,713; Pocatello, 53,372; Idaho Falls, 52,338; Meridian, 52,240; Coeur d'Alene, 40,059; Twin Falls, 38,630; Caldwell, 34,433; Lewiston, 31,081; Rexburg, 26,265

ECONOMY
Total Gross State Product 2005 prel. (billions of current dollars): 47.2
Per Capita Personal Income 2005:
$28,158; National Rank: 44
State Exports 2005 (millions of dollars):
3,260; National Rank: 38
Agriculture:
Cattle, potatoes, dairy products, wheat, sugar beets, barley.
Industry: Food processing, lumber and wood products, machinery, chemical products, paper products, silver and other mining, tourism.

Government
·
State of Idaho: Official State Homepage
· Project VoteSmart
·
State and Local Government on the Internet

Statistics
· Idaho Profile - Fedstats
· U.S. Census Bureau: 2000 Data for the State of Idaho
· U.S. Census Bureau: State Data Centers: Idaho

Economy
· Idaho - Regional Accounts Data

Background
· Factmoster.com: State Profiles
· 50States.com
·
InfoPlease
· Wikipedia.de: Idaho

 

Travel
·
State of Idaho: State Tourist Office
· Map (MapQuest)
· State Parks and Recreation

For High School Students
· Explore the States
· State of Idaho: Just for Kids
·
Stately Knowledge
·
State Report: Idaho

Teacher Resources
·
ProTeacher: Lessons by State: Idaho

More Links
· Idaho (Google)
·
Idaho (Yahoo)
· GovEngine.com: Federal, State & Local Government Site

 
Texts are abridged from U.S. State Department IIP publications and other U.S. government materials.
 
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Updated: January 2009