According to Abbreviationfinder, Idaho is a state located in the Rocky Mountains region of the United States; It is bordered to the north by the Canadian province of British Columbia, to the east by Montana and Wyoming, to the south by Utah and Nevada, and to the west by Oregon and Washington. A part of the eastern border of Idaho is formed by the Continental Divide or North American mountain range (the crest of the Rocky Mountains), and the channel of the Snake River constitutes part of the western limit of the state. According to CountryAAH.com, Idaho main cities are Boise (the capital), Pocatello, Idaho Falls, Nampa, Lewiston and Twin Falls.

Geography

With an area of ​​216,445 km², the elevation of the Idaho territory varies from 216 m in the floodplain of the Snake River, in Lewiston, to 3,859 m that reaches the top of Borah Peak. The average altitude is 1,500 meters. Idaho’s major physiographic regions are: the Rocky Mountains to the north, the Columbia Plateau to the south and west, and the Great Basin to the southeast. Nearly the northern two-thirds of the state is occupied by the Rocky Mountains. In general, the altitude of the mountain ranges descends towards the northwest from the crest of the Bitterroot mountain range., on the border with the state of Montana. Made up mainly of young granitic rocks, this region is notable for its vast expanses of forests. The Columbia Plateau area occupies much of the southern third of the state, as well as the northern border in the direction of Coeur d’Alene. The plateau was formed by the accumulation of lava flows; the soils that developed on it (arid reddish volcanic soils) are fertile. The Snake River runs through this region and its relatively wide plain, which is Idaho’s agricultural heartland. The Great Basin extends through the southeastern part of the state. Its main river is the Snake, which, along with its major tributaries – the Clearwater, the Salmon, the Payette and the Boise – runs through the southern and central parts of the state. The Kootenai, Pend Oreille, and Spokane drain northern Idaho. Also in the mountainous area of ​​the north you can find numerous natural lakes. Despite the distance from the Pacific Ocean, Idaho has a climate softened by the air coming from the ocean. Moisture-laden winds cause precipitation of up to 1,270mm per year on the highest western slopes of the Rockies, most of it in the form of snow during winter. The Snake River Plain and the Basin and Cordillera region are much drier; many of its areas receive less than 254 mm of rainfall per year. The moderating effects of sea air make mean temperatures warmer in winter and cooler in summer than in the Great Plains states. The state is popular for its beautiful coniferous forests (especially western white pines) that occupy the mountainous regions. Western yellow pine and Douglas fir grow at lower elevations, giving way to larch and western white pine and, fir trees. The Great Basin region has a vegetation of pine forests and junipers. Wildlife includes Virginia deer, mule deer, elk, elk, bush sheep, mountain goat, black bear, fox, chipmunk, jay, and hawk. Other species that can also be found are cougars, coyotes, rabbits, and badgers.

Economic development

The state is among the first producers of silver, antimony, vanadium and garnets, and has the main sources of phosphates, lead, gold and zinc in the country. Agriculture contributes approximately 10% of the annual gross state product. Idaho is among the top states for potato production and third for sugar beets. Livestock, particularly beef (veal), and the cultivation of hay, wheat and barley are also important. The lumber industry is notable, especially in the north of the state. Most of the production is of noble woods; Douglas fir, ponderosa [pine] and white pine are the most prominent commercial varieties. Other important industries are processed foods, paper mills and chemicals.

Social development

In 2007, Idaho had 1,499,402 residents. The white population represents 91%, and the black population, 0.4%. 101,690 residents are of Hispanic origin, mainly Mexican. The main groups of Amerindians are the Nez Percé and the Shoshone.

Education

Idaho’s first school was founded around 1830; It was a missionary school for the native Indians of this place. Today, the state has several centers of higher education.

Culture

Much of the state’s historic landmarks are found along the routes that pioneers followed in their westward migration, such as the Oregon Trail, used in the Lewis and Clark Expedition (1804-1806). The two most important national monuments in Idaho are: the Craters of the Moon National Monument, near Arco, and the Hagerman Fossil Bed. Hell’s Canyon, the deepest gorge in all of North America, and Shoshone Falls, with a 65-meter drop — greater than Niagara Falls — lie on the Snake River.

Sports

Mountains, lakes and streams, as well as its vast natural regions make Idaho an ideal place for outdoor activities such as skiing, hunting, hiking, camping, rowing and fishing. The most important ski resorts are Silver Horn and Sun Valley.