Wikijunior:North America/United States/Idaho

Idaho

The location of Idaho

The State of Idaho is a state in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States of America. It is bordered by Montana to the east and northeast, Wyoming to the east, Nevada and Utah to the south, Washington and Oregon to the west, and the Canadian province of British Columbia to the north. The state's largest city and capital is Boise. Residents are called "Idahoans." Idaho was admitted to the Union on 3 July 1890 as the 43rd state.

The Flag of Idaho

History

Humans have been present in the Idaho area for many years. Native American tribes lived throughout much of the area. Idaho was claimed by both the United States and Great Britain until the United States legally claimed the land in 1846.

Geography

Idaho borders six states and one Canadian province. The states of Washington and Oregon are to the west, Nevada and Utah are to the south, and Montana and Wyoming are to the east. Idaho also shares a short border (48 miles (77 km)) with the Canadian province of British Columbia to the north.

Idaho has a very rugged landscape with some of the largest natural areas in the United States. It is a Rocky Mountain state with many natural resources. The state has snow-capped mountain ranges, rapids, steep canyons and a large number of rivers.

State Symbols

• The state motto is Esto Perpetua. It is Latin for "Let it be forever".
• The state bird is the Mountain Bluebird.
• The state tree is the Western White Pine.