Idaho - The Gem State

Capital City:

Boise

Nickname:

Gem State

Motto:

Esto perpetua (Let it be perpetual)

Statehood:

July 3, 1890 (43th)

Origin of State's Name:

A derivation of an Indian phrase "E Dah Hoe (How)" supposedly meaning "gem of the mountains"

Largest City:

Boise

Border States:

Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington, Wyoming

Land Area:

82,751 sq. mi., 11th largest

State Bird:

Mountain Bluebird

State Flower:

Syringa - Mock Orange (philadelphus lewisii)

State Tree:

White Pine (Pinus Monticola pinaceae)

State Song:

Here We Have Idaho

Idaho, the 43rd state, joined the U.S. in 1890. The state is appropriately shaped like a logger's boot, and logging as well as mining are big industries in the state. But the state is probably best known for its potatoes. The state's name is thought to be an Indian name, Ee-dah-hoe, which means "gem of the mountains." Idaho has a rugged landscape with some of the largest unspoiled natural areas in the country. Boise is the capital and the state flower is the syringa.