ENCYCLOPÆDIA Britannica DISCOVER AMERICA Idaho The Gem State CHICAGO LONDON NEW DELHI PARIS SEOUL SYDNEY TAIPEI TOKYO
4 IDAHO Water covers an area of more than 800 square miles in Idaho The capital of Idaho is Boise which is located in the southwestern part of the state The state song is Here We Have Idaho One of the largest diamonds ever found in the United States was discovered in Idaho near McCall The diamond weighed nearly 20 carats INTRODUCTION Located in the northwestern part of the United States Idaho is known for its natural beauty It is a mountainous state with magnificent forests countless rivers and streams and range after range of breathtaking peaks Areas of open wilderness such as meadows filled with wildflowers add variety to the landscape Idaho is nicknamed the Gem State More than 72 types of precious and semiprecious stones are found in the state’s mountains valleys and plains These gemstones along with valuable metals such as silver gold and lead are mined in Idaho Gemstones are not the only things that shine in Idaho Sparkling lakes gleaming waterfalls stunning landscapes booming industries and lively people help to make Idaho a true gem of a state Idaho shares its borders with seven neighbors Montana and Wyoming form Idaho’s eastern boundary while Oregon and Washington form its western boundary Utah and Nevada lie to the south and Canada is to the north Redfish Lake has clear mountain waters This glacial lake is five miles long and one mile wide
INTRODUCTION 5 A number of interstate highways run through Idaho Interstate 15 and U S 91 U S 93 and U S 95 run from north to south and Interstates 84 86 and 90 and U S 12 U S 20 U S 26 and U S 30 run east-west All major cities in the state have commercial airports The busiest airport in Idaho is the Boise Air Terminal Two transcontinental railroads serve the state Ships from the Pacific Ocean reach Idaho at the port of Lewiston on the border with Washington by traveling up the Snake and Columbia rivers Capital Boise Interstate highways Scale 0 0 40 65 80 Mi 130 Km Population 1,293,953 Size 83,574 square miles Highest peak Borah Peak 12,662 feet Idaho has thousands of miles of roads designated as scenic byways which are popular among vacationers Idaho Location Map Idaho is the 13th largest state covering an area of 83,574 square miles In the 2000 census Idaho ranked as the 39th state in population The square dance is Idaho’s official state folk dance Idaho is the only state whose state seal was designed by a woman Emma Edwards Green The painting on the seal highlights the industries of mining agriculture and forestry which are valuable to the state The seal’s Latin motto is Esto Perpetua which means It Is Forever or Let It Be Perpetual
