Idaho Atlas

Idaho facts and history plus travel and tourism information.

Capital: Boise
Abbreviation: ID (postal)
Area: 83,574 square miles
State Bird: Mountain Bluebird
State Tree: Western White Pine
State Flower: Mock Orange
State Motto: Esto Perpetua - Let it be perpetual / It is forever
Nicknames: The Gem State, The Spud State

Before Lewis and Clark explored Idaho in 1805 and European settlers came during the gold rush in the 1860s, Idaho was inhabited by the Shoshone and Bannock Native American tribes as well as the Nez Perce. Mining and fur trapping were the major industries until railroads enabled the exportation of potatoes to other states. Besides Idaho's famous potato growing industry, the state produces grain, sheep, and cattle.

The Continental Divide runs east of Idaho, forming part of the state's eastern border, and more than 3,000 miles of scenic rivers run through the region, carving deep gorges where whitewater rafting opportunities abound. Much of Idaho remains wild, with protected national forests and mountains providing a home for black bears, elk, moose, and wolves, as well as birds and small animals. During the summer, hikers come to enjoy Idaho's natural settings, while in the winter, hundreds of winter sports fanatics come to Idaho's Sun Valley ski resort each year.

Idaho Map

Idaho Links

1. Idaho Government - official Idaho state website.
2. Visit Idaho - Idaho travel and tourism.
3. National Parks in Idaho
4. Idaho QuickFacts - from the US Census Bureau.
5. 50States.com - Idaho

Idaho Resources

• Idaho Real Estate - real estate information about Idaho.
• Idaho Colleges and Universities - higher education institutions in Idaho.
• Idaho Libraries - list of libraries in Idaho.

Idaho History and Geography