Idaho State History – Economy, Facts & Geography of Idaho State
Native Americans
People have lived in the country of Idaho for thousands of years. When the Europeans arrived, there were two major Native American tribes in the area. Nez of the North He is the Perth and the Shoshone of the South. Both tribes led similar lifestyles. For food, they hunted animals such as deer and buffalo, fished the rivers, and planted corn and beans. They lived in tipis, which they could easily carry while following a herd of water buffaloes.
Information about Idaho State:
| Capital | Boise |
| Population | 1,939,033 (Source: 2022 U.S. Census) |
| Major Cities | Boise, Idaho Falls, Nampa, Pocatello, Meridian |
| Borders | Utah, Wyoming, Montana, Washington, Oregon, Nevada, Canada |
| Gross Domestic Product (GDP) | $109,546.5 million (2022 U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis) |
| Key Industries | Agriculture including potatoes, wheat, peas, onions, and dairy products Lumber, wood products, food processing, paper products, chemicals, electronics, and tourism |
Flag of Idaho State:
Europeans Arrive
Due to its remote location, Idaho was one of the last of the 48 lower US states to be visited by Europeans. In 1805 explorers Lewis and Clark came to Idaho on their way to the Pacific Ocean. They met with both the Shoshone and the Nez Perce. Their guide was Sacagawea, a Shoshone Indian they had met in North Dakota. Fur traders, including Andrew his Henry, who built Fort Henry in 1810, soon settled in the area.
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Early Settlers
In the early 19th century, more settlers came to Idaho. These included missionaries, fur traders, minors, and farmers. Many settlers traveled along the Oregon Trail through southern Idaho. A few settlers stopped along the way and settled in Idaho. The first settlement in Idaho was Franklin, founded by Mormons in 1860.
Idaho State Symbols
- Idaho State Nickname: Gem State
- Idaho State Slogan: Great Potatoes. Tasty Destinations.
- Idaho State Motto: Esto perpetua (It is forever)
- Idaho State flower: Mock Orange
- Idaho State bird: Mountain Bluebird
- Idaho State fish: Cutthroat trout
- Idaho State tree: Western White Pine
- Idaho State mammal: Appaloosa horse
- Idaho State foods: Potato, Huckleberry
The Geography of Idaho State:
- Total Size of Idaho: 82,747 sq. miles (source: 2003 Census)
- Geographical Low Point of Idaho: Snake River at 710 feet, located in the county/subdivision of Nez Perce (source: U.S. Geological Survey)
- Geographical High Point of Idaho: Borah Peak at 12,662 feet, located in the county/subdivision of Custer (source: U.S. Geological Survey)
- Central Point of Idaho: Located in Custer County approx. at Custer, southwest of Challis (source: U.S. Geological Survey)
- Counties of Idaho: 44 (source: National Association of Counties)
- Bodies of Water of Idaho: Pend Oreille Lake, Bear Lake, American Falls Reservoir, Snake River, Salmon River, Clearwater River.
Becoming a State
For many years, the area, which includes Idaho, was claimed by both the United States and Britain. In 1846, the Treaty of Oregon with Great Britain officially made the region part of the United States. It joined the Oregon Territory in 1848. In 1853 Oregon became its own territory and Idaho became part of the Washington Territory. Idaho’s population increased after the discovery of gold in 1860, and in 1863 it became a separate territory called the Idaho Territory. Many years later, on July 3, 1890, Idaho became the 43rd state to join the Union.
Famous People of Idaho State:
| NAMES | PROFESSIONS |
| Lana Turner | Actress |
| Picabo Street | Olympic gold medal skier |
| Sacagawea | Native American guide for explorers Lewis and Clark |
| Ezra Pound | Poet |
| Sarah Palin | Governor of Alaska and reality TV star |
| Harmon Killebrew | Professional baseball player |
| Philo Farnsworth | Inventor of the television |
| Gutzon Borglum | Mount Rushmore sculptor |
| Joseph Albertson | Founder of Albertson’s grocery stores |
Interesting Facts of Idaho State:
The Snake River flows through Idaho.
See several volcanoes clustered together at Craters of the Moon National Monument.
Lake Pande Oreille is over 300 feet deep.
Idaho is famous for fishing and elk hunting.
Where the name Idaho came from is a mystery. Many believe that the lobbyist who proposed it, George Willing, made it up.
Idaho grows more potatoes than any other state.
Island Park has the longest main street in the United States at 55 miles.
Native Americans who lived in Idaho included the Nezu Perce of the north and the Shoshone of the south.
Idaho is now one of the fastest growing states in America.
Idaho has more river miles (3100) than any other state.
Timeline Overview:
1805 – Lewis and Clark pass through Idaho on their way to the Pacific.
1810 – Fur trader Andrew Henry builds Fort Henry on the Snake River.
1836 – Missionaries Henry Spalding and Eliza Spalding establish a mission at Lapuwai.
1840s – Settlers begin traveling through Idaho on the Oregon Trail. 1846 – Idaho becomes part of the United States under the Treaty of Oregon.
1848 – Idaho becomes part of the Oregon Territory along with parts of Oregon, Washington, Montana and Wyoming.
1853 – Idaho becomes part of the Washington Territory.
1860 – First settlement established in Franklin.
1860 – Elias Pierce discovers gold at Orofino Creek. 1863 – Idaho Territory is incorporated with Lewiston as its capital.
1864 – Boise becomes the capital of the Idaho Territory.
1877 – The Nez Perce, led by Chief Joseph, attempts to withdraw to Canada ahead of the US forces.
1892 – Miner riots erupt in the Coeur d’Alene area as the miners’ union decides to strike.
1896 – Idaho is one of the first states to give women the right to vote.