IIDDAHOAHO’’SS AMAMEERRIICACANN RECRECRREEAATIONTION IIDDAHOAHO FFAACTSCTS HHIISSTTORYORY ININDIANSDIANS && SSTTAATSTS The first non-native people to enter Native people have played a major role in shaping Idaho is a spectacular, all-season outdoor • Population is just present-day Idaho were believed to be Idaho’s heritage and continue to live here. Five recreation destination. With lots of mountains, lakes, under 1.6 million Captains Meriwether Lewis and William Clark tribes call Idaho home: the Kootenai (KOOT-NEE), and rivers, Idaho is one giant playground. Its rivers • Capital is Boise in 1805. The two explorers were sent by Coeur d’Alene (CORE-DA-LANE) and Nez Perce are known for rafting, jet boating, and fishing. You (“BOY”-see) President Thomas Jeerson to explore the (NEZ-PURSE) in the north; and the Shoshone- can canoe and water ski on beautiful lakes through- • Two time zones— Louisiana Purchase and locate a navigable Bannock and Paiute (PIE-OOT) in the southeast out the state. The backcountry is filled with moun- Mountain and Pacific route to the Pacific Ocean. and south. As a tribute to the important influence tain trails for backpacking and biking, where you • More than 2,000 lakes and the 13th deepest of American Indians, many Idaho streets, towns, can see wildlife like mountain goats, elk, and deer. In the decades that followed, trappers and fur lake in the world—Lake Pend Oreille traders came to Idaho for its large beaver landmarks, and counties are named after these After a full day of adventures, many visitors camp tribes and their place names. under a blanket of stars. Winter is ideal for skiing or • Borders six other states: Oregon, population. The town of Franklin in the south- Washington, Montana, Utah, Nevada, and eastern part of the state became Idaho’s first boarding on powdery slopes at Idaho’s 18 ski resorts, including legendary Sun Valley. Wyoming, as well as Canada’s province permanent settlement on April 14, 1860. That IDAHO’S MOUNTAIN BLUEBIRD of British Columbia to the north. same year, gold was discovered in Orofino Creek in northern Idaho, setting o a rush of Designated in 1931, Idaho’s state bird is a prospectors and miners to the original Nez fairly small thrush with a round head, thin IDAHO’S CLIMATE IDAHO’S STATE GEM: STAR GARNET bill, and brilliant blue feathers in the male. Idaho has a four-season climate. Most of the state Perce (NEZ-PURSE) Indian Reservation. Just about every gem stone has been enjoys dry, warm summer and fall months. Winters The Idaho Territory was ocially recognized in found here, giving Idaho the nickname are shorter and milder than other locales east of March of 1863 by Abraham Lincoln, with the “The Gem State.” The star garnet, found DID YOU KNOW? the Continental Divide. Idaho is fairly dry between first capital established in the northern town only in Idaho and India, is the state’s late June and the first snow of winter. With lots of Lewiston. In 1864, the capital was moved • The world’s first ski chair lift was invented in ocial gemstone. of sunshine, it’s an excellent state to visit any south to its present location in Boise. Idaho Sun Valley, one of Idaho’s top ski and summer time of year. became the nation’s 43rd state when President resort towns. Harrison signed the Idaho Admission Act on • Potatoes, barley, lentils and trout are ranked LITTLE KNOWN FACTS July 3, 1890. among Idaho’s top crops. IDAHO’S STATE HORSE: • Five historic pioneer trails, Lewis and Clark, • Idaho has a seaport. The port of Lewiston THE APPALOOSA Nez Perce, David Thompson, California and allows the exportation of millions of bushels of Oregon cross Idaho. Wagon ruts are still These spotted horses were bred by IDAHO AS A TERRITORY crops down the Snake and Columbia Rivers for visible in southern Idaho. Idaho looked like a rectangle overseas shipment. the Nez Perce Indians as early as 1750 but lost ground after the Nez Perce • The Frank Church River of No Return Wilder- when it became a territory and • Philo T. Farnsworth, from Rigby, invented the War of 1877. Named the Idaho State ness is the largest wilderness area in the 48 consisted of all of Idaho, Montana, first complete television system with both a Horse in 1975, the breed was brought contiguous states with 2.3 million acres of and most of Wyoming. receiver and a camera, in 1927. The idea came back to prominence by the Nez Perce. rugged, unspoiled backcountry. to him at age fifteen. • One of the deepest river gorges in North • Idaho has the largest theme park in the Pacific WEBSITES America is Hells Canyon—7,900 feet deep. Northwest: Silverwood Theme Park. Yes, it is deeper than the Grand Canyon. • visitidaho.org • Idaho’s Salmon River, known as “The River of • history.idaho.gov No Return,” is the longest free flowing river Teepee Whitewater Rafting Capitol Building within one state in the lower 48 states.

White Pine Byway Winter Skiing Silverwood Mountain Biking SSTATATETE SSYYMBOLMBOLSS HEHELLLLOO FFRROMOM State Seal Idaho’s seal became ocial in 1891 IIDDAHAHOO by an act of the state Legislature. OUOURR 43RD43RD SSTATATE!TE! The Latin motto, “Esto Purpetua,” means “let it be perpetual.” It’s the IIDDAHAHO!O! only state seal designed by a woman. State Flag A blue field with a gold border, the state flag proudly displays the state seal with the words “State of Idaho” in gold block letters on a red ribbon. State Flower The syringa is a wildflower similar to the mock orange and grows in clusters of white blossoms on a branching shrub. State Tree The western white pine is abundant north of the Clearwater River. The largest western white pine in the world stands 219 feet high near Elk River, Idaho.

State Fossil Idaho Division of Tourism Department of Commerce 83720 PO Box ID 83720-0093 Boise, 800-VISIT-ID visitidaho.org in Idaho Printed ITC-17-43160-5M Idaho Department of Commerce is an equal opportunity employer. the pamphlet will be Upon request, for format in alternative provided persons with disabilities. designed and pamphlet was This students. use by for developed Known as the Hagerman Horse because it was discovered near the south central town of Hager- man, these 3.5 million year-old fossils are closely related to The Mountain Bluebird today’s zebra. The site is now Governor C.L. “Butch” Otter Hagerman Fossil Beds National and First Lady Lori Otter Monument, one of the largest fossil deposits in North America. The state bird of Idaho—the mountain bluebird—is a small, brilliant blue bird found This brochure was designed with you in mind. State Fish Inside you will find that Idaho is a place of great throughout the American northwest. Rapidly Named for the reddish-orange beauty, rich history, and abundant outdoor disappearing in the late 20th century, the color on the underside of its jaw, adventure. Idaho’s geographic features range species was brought back by Idaho volunteer the cutthroat trout is native to from deep gorges and canyons to soaring Al Larson, who has made and placed over Idaho. Popular with anglers, it and mountain peaks. 300 nesting boxes in southwestern Idaho. several subspecies have been Mr. Larson's story is the subject of the named as state fish in six other documentary, "Bluebird Man". western states. Idaho's Free is an annual event held Fishing Day Come and visit us soon, and you’ll see why the second Saturday every June. wildlensinc.org/category/bluebirdman Idaho is a great place to vacation and learn. with trees, making it the most heavily heavily making it the most with trees, Mountain states. of the Rocky forested Idaho. in central located 12,662 feet Idaho’s within its borders, found are Gem State.” nickname is “The in the other state miles than any river U.S. continental More than 40 percent of Idaho is covered of Idaho is covered than 40 percent More at peak is Mt. Borah highest Idaho’s of gemstones than 80 varieties more Since whitewater navigable Idaho has more DID YOU KNOW? DID YOU • • • •