Last updated on June 23rd, 2024
Idaho is the 38th most populous and the 14th most extensive of the 50 states of the United States. It lies in the northwestern region of the United States. The state attained statehood on July 3, 1890, becoming the 43rd state to join the union. Idaho (nicknamed: the Gem State) has 44 counties. The state’s capital is Boise. The postal abbreviation for Idaho is ID. Its six bordering states are Utah, Washington, Wyoming, Montana, Nevada, and Oregon. To the north, it shares a small portion of the Canada–United States border with the province of British Columbia. See the complete list of the 50 states and their borders here. With these facts about Idaho, let us learn more about its history, geography, people, economy and more.
Interesting facts about Idaho
1. The state’s name derived from a Native American word that means “the land of many waters.” The pronunciation is similar to the state’s name.
2. A City That Owes Its name to Snake River and Railroad: Idaho Falls attributes its name to a waterfall along the Snake River, a key feature of agriculture in the state of Idaho. The surrounding communities have re-created waterfalls that had been destroyed in the process of developing the area.
3. There are two time zones in Idaho, the Mountain Time Zone and the Pacific Time Zone.
4. 13 is a very special number for this state. It is special because it is the 13th largest state (in terms of land area) in America.
5. Idaho might not like the idea of private land. This is evident because a whopping 63 percent of the state is considered public land.
Idaho on the map
6. The United States Forest Service holds about 38% of Idaho’s land, the highest proportion of any state.
7. There are about 4,522,506 acres of wild land in Idaho. Yes, this means there are no roads here.
8. Idaho forests are home to a wide variety of plants. Some of the most common trees found in the forests include Douglas fir, Western hemlock, and Lodgepole pine. Idaho forests are also home to a variety of animals, including deer, elk, and moose. Idaho forests are an essential part of the state’s ecosystem and are vital to its economy and way of life.
9. The Kootenai River white sturgeon (Acipenser transmontanus) is a unique fish species native to the Kootenai River in Idaho. It is the focus of conservation efforts due to its endangered status and limited habitat.
10. One 1800’s tale says there is a strange creature in Bear Lake, Idaho. It is known as the Bear Lake Monster, and this story has scared some kids in the state.
11. Moscow the Green City: with more than 27 sq. meters of parks per individual, Moscow can be compared to other green cities of the world like Paris and New York. There are 18 gardens, 96 parks, 4 botanical centers, and a zoo with over 6,500 specimens.
12. The state grows nearly one-third of America’s potatoes. It is likely that the people living outside the state eat more of these starchy vegetables than the people in Idaho.
13. Idaho produces other crops besides potatoes. The state is actually known as the Lentil Capital of the World. It is also known for having one of the largest hops farms in the United States.
14. Idaho is sometimes referred to as the Gem State. One can find nearly 72 types of precious stones in the state.
15. There are only a few places in the world where a bounty of star garnets can be found. One is in India and the other happens to be in Idaho. The Emerald Creek Garnet Area provides opportunities for harvesting star garnets. A permit is issued for visitors who wish to dig.
16. World’s Silver Capital: for a long time, Wallace has been regarded as the silver capital. Most of the silver mining comes from Shoshone County. The activity is conducted in the most environmentally-friendly way to conserve the pristine mountains where recreational enthusiasts flock. The region’s mining history is preserved in places like the Wallace District Mining Museum.
17. During the late 1800s, Chinese immigrants significantly built Idaho’s railroads and mines. Many settled in the state, contributing to its cultural and economic development.
18. Idaho City can thank – Gold for its success. Yes, the city’s economy boomed because of gold mining back in the 1860s.
19. Idaho’s sheep ranching industry thrived in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The state’s vast grasslands and favorable climate made it an ideal location for sheep herding, contributing significantly to its economy.
20. Idaho may be known for potatoes, but it should be known for its trout, too. It is estimated that 85 percent of all the commercial trout sold in America comes from Hagerman Valley.
21. Idaho imports most of the energy it consumes.
22. Idaho is home to the largest potato in the world.
23. The Snake River Valley AVA (American Viticulture Area) is Idaho’s largest and oldest wine region. Encompassing about 8,000 square miles, this AVA benefits from a unique microclimate created by the Snake River, fostering ideal conditions for grape cultivation. Idaho’s wine making tradition dates all the way back to the late 1800s.
24. If you are interested in old churches, you may want to visit the Rathdrum. This city holds the state’s oldest brick church called the Saint Stanislaus Church.
25. The Cataldo Mission, established in 1850 by Jesuit missionaries, is the oldest standing building in Idaho. It served as a center for religious and educational activities, crucial to the region’s history.
26. Dog lovers can explore the whimsical “Dog Bark Park Inn,” the World’s Largest Beagle, in Cottonwood, Idaho. Crafted by artists Dennis and Frances, the inn was completed in 2003 and offers a unique and cozy retreat, capturing the hearts of visitors.
27. The smokestack at the former Oregon Short Line Railroad power plant in Jerome, Idaho, stands at 499 feet, making it one of the tallest free-standing structures in the United States.
28. Most Inland Seaport on West Coast: the port of Lewiston is situated 465 miles off the ocean. It exposes the Inland Northwest to worldwide trade markets by linking to Columbia Snake River System. It is an intermodal transportation hub that offers instant access to a rail route, airport, road, and river.
29. Bayhorse – The Longest Running Silver City in Idaho: in the late 1800s, Bayhorse was an established goldmine camp. Ten years later, it started to attract attention when a silver vein was discovered in Beardsley and Ramshorn mines. Gradually, it turned out to be the greatest producer of silver in Idaho State until 1915.
30. Idaho definitely stepped up to the plate when it came to structured sand dunes. Bruneau Dunes State Park is home to the country’s tallest structure that stands 470 feet high.
31. The dune is known as Big Dune. Bruneau Dunes is located in the Bruneau Desert, which covers parts of southern Idaho and northeastern Nevada. The park is named for the Bruneau River (a 153-mile-long tributary of the Snake River), which flows through the area.
32. The Lake Coeur d’Alene boardwalk is 3,300 feet long and is known as the longest boardwalk in the world. This is definitely for all those who love to walk by the beach.
33. There is a small town in Idaho that has the longest main street in the United States. It is located in the City of Island Park.
34. Idaho is the fastest growing state (by population) in the United States.
35. This region is home to the highest navigable river in the world. The river is called Joe River, and it flows from an elevation of nearly 7,000 feet. Most of its trailheads follow through moderate slopes that are easy to trek. Commonly known as shadowy St. Joe, the river is one of the finest spots for camping, hiking, fishing, and white-water rafting in the region. The Scenic Byway travels along the river. It is named after the towering cottonwoods that beautify the oceanfront in addition to the idyllic mountainous landscape. Moose, bear, elk, deer, can be spotted on the river’s edge.
36. Idaho has more white-water river miles than any other state.
37. This state offers the longest gondola (a flat-bottomed rowing boat) ride in the world. So strap in and enjoy nature from above. The gondola is in the Silver Mountain Resort in Kellogg.
38. Idaho actually holds a strange little Guinness World Record for a maze. Yes, the state is known for the longest straw bale maze, which is in Rupert.
39. Idaho Falls is home to the world’s largest lava lamp, standing at 13.5 feet tall and weighing 1,000 pounds.
40. Someone paid $600,000 for a bull from Idaho. This was the most expensive bull ever sold. The cost was high because the Hereford bull weighed 1,410, and its lineage was impeccable.
41. The idea for Yellowstone National Park was proposed during the Washburn-Langford-Doane Expedition of 1870. Expedition member Henry D. Washburn was an Idaho resident, and his experiences contributed to the establishment of the world’s first National Park.
42. North America has a lot of ski resorts, but it seems that Idaho beat other states to the punch. The first ski destination in the United States is Idaho’s “Sun Valley Resort”. Established in 1936 by Averell Harriman, renowned for pioneering chairlifts and drawing Hollywood celebrities, it became a skiing haven. Ernest Hemingway found inspiration here, writing “For Whom the Bell Tolls.”
43. Sun Valley also boasts the world’s first-ever resort ice-skating rink, attracting visitors since 1936.
44. The small town of Arco, Idaho, was the first in the world to be lit by atomic power in 1955. It’s also known for numerous UFO sightings, earning it the title of the “UFO Capital of the World.”
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