Higher Education  

Idaho has six accredited colleges and universities and four community colleges. Idaho's four-year state institutions are the University of Idaho at Moscow, Idaho State University at Pocatello, Lewis-Clark State College at Lewiston, and Boise State University at Boise. The state's three community colleges are the College of Southern Idaho at Twin Falls, Eastern Idaho Technical College at Idaho Falls, and North Idaho College at Coeur D'Alene. Private schools are Albertson College of Idaho at Caldwell, and Northwest Nazarene College at Nampa. Ricks College is a community college operated by the Mormon Church.

Geography

Idaho's area is 216,431 square kilometers and the state stretches 777 kilometers from north to south. A narrow strip of land in the northern part of the state is known as the Panhandle. The four major regions of the state are the Northern Rocky Mountains region, the Middle Rocky Mountains region, the Columbia Plateau, and the Basin and Range region. Huge peaks (many over 3,048 meters), rough mountains, and wilderness land are typical features of the Northern Rocky Mountains region. Eight mountain ranges, with peaks ranging from 2134 to 3,048 meters, lie within the Middle Rocky Mountains region. The Columbia Plateau, covering southwest Idaho, is characterized by fertile plateaus and valleys. Containing deep valleys and grassy plateaus separated by many small mountain ranges, the Basin and Range region is located in the state's southeastern corner. Flowing for 1,671 kilometers, mostly with Idaho's borders, the Snake River is the state's longest river. The state's major cities include Boise (capital), Pocatello, Idaho Falls, and Lewiston. The population of the state is a little over one million.

Climate

Overall, Idaho's climate is fairly temperate owing to two main factors: warm winds from the Pacific Ocean; and mountains in the eastern part of the state that hold back cold winter winds from the north and east. However, in the mountainous areas frigid temperatures can occur. Elevation plays an important role in temperature differences across the state. In Boise, temperatures range from an average of 24° C in July to an average of -3° C in January. In Idaho Falls, the average July temperature is 21° C, while the average January temperature is -9° C. Annual precipitation varies throughout the state, from less than 25 cm of precipitation in some areas to as much as 508 cm of snow on the highest mountains.

Cultural Profile

Idaho's museums preserve the state's rich Indian, pioneer, and mining heritage. Among the state's museums are the Idaho Historical Museum, in Boise; the Coeur D'Alene District Mining Museum and the Northern Pacific Depot Railroad Museum, both in Wallace; the Museum of North Idaho, in Coeur D'Alene; and the Boise Basin Museum in Idaho City. Performing arts organizations in Boise include the Boise Philharmonic, the American Festival Community Concerts, the Boise Little Theatre, and the annual Idaho Shakespeare Festival. Among the other performing arts groups in the state are the Carousel Players and the Coeur d'Alene Community Players in Coeur D'Alene, and the American Festival Ballet Company and the Main Street Dance Company in Moscow.

Recreation

Idaho boasts nineteen state parks and fifteen national forests. Among the popular outdoor sports that the state has to offer are camping, boating, swimming, snowmobiling, hiking, backpacking, horseback riding, hunting, fishing, white-water rafting, and skiing. Every year, skiiers from around the world enjoy their sport at Sun Valley and other resorts, such as Bogus Basin, Schweitzer Ski Basin, Pebble Creek, Brundage Mountain, and Grand Targhee.

Interesting Facts

Idaho is famous for producing potatoes and potato products. Idaho is exactly halfway between the North Pole and the equator. In prehistoric times, Idaho was home to mastodons and saber-toothed tigers. The author Edgar Rice Burroughs was living in Idaho when he began to write Tarzan of the Apes. Famous Idahoans include Lana Turner (movie star), Ezra Pound (poet), Gutzon Borglum (sculptor of Mt. Rushmore), Carol Ryrie Brink (author), and Sacagawea (Native American woman, of the Shoshone tribe, who helped to guide the Lewis and Clark expedition).

 

General Information State Bird: Mountain Bluebird State Flower: Syringa State Tree: Western White Pine State Capitol: Boise Area: 216,412 sq. km Population: 10,070,000 Elevation: 3859m-216m Major Cities: Boise / Lewiston Industry Information Agriculture Industry: Beef, Barley, Hay, Wheat and Sugar Beet Fishing Industry: None Mining Industry: Phosphate Rock, Silver and Zinc Manufacturing Industry: Chemicals, Lumber and Weed Products, Stone, Clay and Glass Products Temperature Range Spring Temperature (range): 3C / 17C (Boise) Summer Temperature (range): 15C / 33C (Boise) Fall Temperature (range): 4C / 18C (Boise) Winter Temperature (range): -7C / 2C (Boise)