Discover Idaho
Adventures in Northwest Living

Although Idaho is not by the ocean, it is often considered part of the Pacific Northwest since it borders Oregon, Washington and British Columbia.

Heavily forested for most of the state and lightly populated, it’s a great place for fishing, hiking, camping, hunting – all things outdoors. A great place to visit, and people there say it's a great place to live, too.

Fast Facts About Idaho

• Became the 43rd state of the USA onJuly 3, 1890
• The state motto is Esto Perpetua (Latin for "Let it be forever")
• State nickname is "The Gem State"
• 14th largest state and ranked 39th in population (2008 estimated census)
• Residents are called "Idahoans"
• Idaho has 44 counties
• Capital is Boise
• The largest cities are Boise, Nampa, Coeur d'Alene, Idaho Falls, and Pocatello
• Two time zones: north of Salmon River is Pacific UTC-8, rest is Mountain UTC-7
• The lowest elevation is the Snake River at 710 ft; the highest is Borah Peak at 12,662 ft
• The state bird is the mountain bluebird, state flower is syringa, state tree is western white pine, state fruit is the huckleberry, and state fish is cutthroat trout.

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