History, Geography, Homes, and State Resources of Idaho
Idaho USA Map
What makes Idaho unique? The short answer to this question is that it is different than what you have become used to. In addition more people are are looking for
a new place for a brand new start, and some would like to know if moving to Idaho could be a place for their best interests. Idaho has lots of elbow room. Out of
the 50 US States, Idaho is 14th in overall area containing a total that exceeds 83,500 sq. miles - around half the size of California. However Idaho is 39th among
the states, although, in population, there is under one and one half million people living in Idaho. That is somewhat equal to the city of Philadelphia,
Pennsylvania population.
The Idaho region was explored by Meriwether Lewis and William Clark in 1805–1806. It was then a part of the Oregon country, held jointly by the United States and Great
Britain. Boundary disputes with Great Britain were settled by the Oregon Treaty in 1846, and the first permanent U.S. settlement in Idaho was established by the Mormons
at Franklin in 1860.
After gold was discovered at Orofino Creek in 1860, prospectors swarmed into the territory, but they left little more than a number of ghost towns.
Climate
The climate of Idaho is diverse and influenced by weather patterns from the Pacific Ocean.
Typically, the northern part of the state receives more rainfall than southern Idaho,
where the summer temperatures are warmer.
Idaho Colleges.
The Idaho State Board of Education oversees three comprehensive universities. The University of Idaho in Moscow was the first university in the state (founded in 1889).
It opened its doors in 1892 and is the state grant institution and primary research university of the state. The Idaho State University in Pocatello was opened in 1901
as the Academy of Idaho, 1947 received the status of a four-year and 1963 a university status. Boise State University is the youngest college to gain university status
in Idaho. The school was opened in 1932 as Boise Junior College and 1974 Boise State University. Lewis-Clark State College at Lewiston is the only public,
non-university, 4-year college in Idaho. It was opened in 1893 as a normal school.
Economy
Significant Idaho Industries to the state economy include manufacturing, agriculture, mining, forestry, and tourism. ... Idaho's agricultural sector supplies many products, but the state is best known for its potatos, which
make up around one-third of the national yield.
Flora and Fauna
Idaho State Flower - Mock Orange
Idaho State Tree (Western White Pine)
Idaho State Capitol
Idaho has 10 life zones extending from prairie to mountaintop with over 3,000 native plants. Characteristic evergreens are Douglas fir and western white pine (the state tree); oak/mountain mahogany, juniper/piñon, ponderosa pine, and spruce/fir constitute the other main forest types. Syringa is the state flower.
Classified as game mammals are the elk, moose, white-tailed and mule deer, pronghorn antelope, bighorn sheep, mountain goat, black bear, mountain lion, cottontail, and pigmy rabbit.
Several varieties of pheasant, partridge, quail, and grouse are the main game
birds, and there are numerous trout, salmon, bass, and whitefish species in
Idaho's lakes and streams. There are six national wildlife refuges covering 133,456 acres.
The Idaho State Capitol in Boise is the home of the government of the state of Idaho. Although Lewiston, Idaho, briefly served as Idaho's capital from the formation of Idaho Territory in 1863, the territorial Legislature moved the capital to Boise on December 24, 1864.
Construction of the first portion of the capitol building began in the summer of 1905, 15 years after Idaho gained statehood.
The executive branch is headed by seven elected officials: the governor and lieutenant governor (who run separately), secretary of state, attorney general, controller, treasurer, and superintendent of public instruction. All serve four-year terms. The governor is limited to a maximum of two consecutive terms. The governor, who must be a US citizen, at least 30 years old, and must have been a state resident for at least two years prior to election.
An Idaho voter must be at least 18 years old, a US citizen, and a resident of the county and state for at least 30 days prior to election day. Restrictions apply to convicted felons.
Combining a rich heritage, friendly communities, and a taste of the mountainous American West, Idaho
is at the top of the charts as a culturally inspiring state worth exploring. From the glacial lakes in the panhandle to the lunar-like landscapes on the southern border, much of what defines Idaho are the adventures found within its boundaries. Hell's Canyon invites exploration, and the massive outcroppings at City of Rocks are worth a pause in your travels. And much like the 25-mile Boise River Greenbelt trail in the capital city, all of the vibrant natural attractions in Idaho connect to a thriving culture and welcoming community.
An amusement park in northern Idaho, near the town of Coeur d'Alene, approximately 47 miles from Spokane, Washington on U.S. Route 95. Originally, the park included a small assortment of carnival rides, a "main street" with shops and eateries, and an authentic steam train that traveled in a 30-minute loop around the owner's property.
Over the years, Silverwood has grown in both size and popularity, transforming from a small local amusement park to a regional theme park destination. In 2003, an adjacent waterpark named
Boulder Beach Water Park was opened. Entrance to Boulder Beach is included with admission to Silverwood Theme Park. In 2009, Silverwood began an annual Halloween event called Scarywood, held during the month of October. Comic characters Garfield and Odie are the official mascots of the park.
Silverwood is the largest theme and water park in the American Northwest on 413 acres and boasting
over 70 rides, slides, shows and attractions. It is the northernmost theme Park in the
nation.
Yellowstone Bear World is a privately owned drive-thru wildlife park. Located in Rexburg, Idaho, near Yellowstone National Park. It
opened in 1998.
The park holds over eight species of wildlife indigenous to the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. Other attractions in the park include a small amusement park and a petting zoo. Yellowstone Bear World is the only wildlife park in the
nation where guests can bottle feed bear cubs.
There are two wilderness areas, Cabinet Mountains and Salmo-Priest, and numerous recreation opportunities in Idaho Panhandle National Forest. This forest ranges from the Canada–US border to the Saint Joe River, which is the highest navigable river in the world
Sawtooth National Forest includes over 1,100 lakes, 1,000 miles of trails and roads, and ten mountain ranges, with the highest point at 12,009 feet on Hyndman Peak. The forest includes Sawtooth National Recreation Area, the Sawtooth Range, Sawtooth Wilderness, four ski areas, and four endemic species, being found nowhere else in the world
The forest's Jedediah Smith Wilderness has many caves and the Winegar Hole Wilderness protects grizzly bear habitat in the Greater Yellowstone ecosystem. The Upper and Lower Mesa Falls are on Henrys Fork of the Snake River and tours of Minnetonka Cave are available.
Portions of the Boise, Payette, and South and Middle Forks of the Salmon River drainages make up the forest. There are over 7,600 miles of streams and more than 250 lakes and reservoirs in the forest.
Payette National Forest includes the Seven Devils Mountains and part of the Frank Church—River of No Return Wilderness. It also borders Hells Canyon to the west and contains the Brundage Mountain ski area.
Salmon-Challis National Forest includes parts of both the Salmon River and the Frank Church—River of No Return Wilderness. Idaho's highest point, Borah Peak at 12,662 feet is located in the Lost River Range in the forest
Nez Perce National Forest includes parts of four wilderness areas: Frank Church-River of No Return, Gospel Hump, Hells Canyon, and Selway-Bietterroot. This forest is managed together with Clearwater National Forest
The forest covers the Bitterroot Mountains and Palouse Prairie as well as the Clearwater and Lochsa rivers. The Lewis and Clark Expedition followed the Lolo Trail through the forest in 1805, and gold miners came to the forest in the 1860s.
Sports
Central Idaho is home to one of North America's oldest ski resorts, Sun Valley, where the world's first chairlift was installed in 1936. Other noted outdoor sites include Hells Canyon, the Salmon River, and its embarkation point of Riggins.
Gas tax: 33 cents per gallon of regular gasoline and diesel
Transportation
Avaition
Boise Airport
Idaho Airports.
There are 119 public airports in Idaho. The prominent airports in Idaho are in Boise, Twin Falls and in Gooding. Idaho's airports are well maintained and strive to meet world standards.
Tourists and locals visit the Gem State of Idaho. Idaho's airports serve a large number of people every day. The country's only international airport, the Eckhart International Airpor, is in Porthill.
One of Idaho's best-known airports is Boise, which is a world-class airport and ranked 7th in a 2004 Global Airport Satisfaction Index Survey. Free Wi-Fi is available at Boise Airport. Like most airports in Idaho, it has state-of-the-art technology and a helpful staff. It also has many restaurants and food courts in its premises. Almost two million passengers use this airport every year.
Ports
The Port of Lewiston is the farthest inland Pacific port on the west coast. A series of dams and locks on the Snake River and Columbia River
allow barge travel from Lewiston to Portland, where goods are loaded on ocean-going vessels.
Rail
Idaho is serviced by three transcontinental railroads. The Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) connects the Idaho Panhandle with Seattle, Portland, and Spokane to the west, and Minneapolis and Chicago to the east. The BNSF travels through Kootenai, Bonner, and Boundary counties. The Union Pacific Railroad crosses North Idaho entering from Canada through Boundary and Bonner, and proceeding to Spokane. Canadian Pacific Railway uses Union Pacific Railroad tracks in North Idaho carrying products from Alberta to Spokane and Portland, Oregon.
The Union Pacific Railroad also crosses southern Idaho traveling between
Portland, Oregon, Green River, Wyoming, and Ogden, Utah and serves Boise, Nampa,
Twin Falls, and Pocatello.
Amtrak's Empire Builder crosses northern Idaho, with its only stop being in
Sandpoint. Montana Rail Link also operates between Billings, Montana and
Sandpoint, Idaho
Roads
Idaho is one the few states in the U>S. without a major freeway connecting its two largest metropolitan areas, Boise in the south and Coeur d'Alene in the north. US-95 links the two ends of the state. I-84 is the main highway linking the southeast and southwest portions of the state, along with I-86 and I-15. Major federal aid highways in Idaho:
Idaho Housing
The median home value in Idaho is $241,300. Idaho home values have gone up 12.9% over the past year and predictions
are they will rise 2.6% within the next year. The median list price per square foot in Idaho is $161. The median price of homes currently listed in Idaho is $299,900. The median rent price in Idaho is $1,375.
Idaho is divided into 44 counties and contains 201 incorporated municipalities legally described as cities. Boise is the capital and most populous city
consisting of an estimated population 223,154 people while Warm River in Fremont
County has a population of three.
