Idaho
Created | Updated Jun 24, 2002
'Famous Potatoes'
If you see a car ahead of you on the road and its license plate reads 'Famous Potatoes', you can tell what state it comes from. Idaho, populated by (of course) Idahoans. More harmless than the rest of us. 1/6 of the population is in a single city, Boise (from the French 'les bois' or 'the trees'). Its world-famous and largest industry is growing
potatoes. Although much of the state is desert and/or is uninhabited, there are, of course, areas that make a name for Idaho in completely unique ways.
Craters of the Moon
Craters of the Moon is a example of one of these places. It is the only national monument in the state. As a result of the volcanic activity that once characterized this area, it is filled with one-of-a-kind rock formations. It is so unearthly NASA had their astronauts train there, as it is (at least) as cratered as the moon.
The Boise National Forest
The Boise National Forest is filled with 2.6 million acres of evergreen trees. This forest has a high fire rate, but you are not in much danger of being incinerated while visiting. One setback is repetition. When a group of Idahoans tried to find five kinds of trees in the forest, they could only find four.
Interesting Facts About Idaho
POTATO STAMPEDE!
Idaho produces 29% of U.S. potatoes.
DID SOMEBODY SAY MCDONALDS'?
1/3 of McDonalds french fries originate in Idaho.
AHAVATH BETH ISRAEL
Idaho boasts the oldest synagogue in continuous use west of the Mississippi.
THE STAR GARNET
The rare star garnet can only be found in Idaho and India.
IDAHO FACT TABLE
CAPITAL: BOISE
POPULATION: 1,229,000 (1998)
STATE SONG: HERE WE HAVE IDAHO
STATE FLAG: ADOPTED IN 1907
STATE BIRD: MOUNTAIN BLUEBIRD
STATE FLOWER: SYRINGA
STATE FRUIT: BLACK HUCKLEBERRY
STATE FOSSIL: HAGERMAN HORSE
STATE TREE: WESTERN WHITE PINE
STATE FISH: CUTTHROAT TROUT
STATE INSECT: MONARCH BUTTERFLY
STATE GEM: STAR GARNET
STATE FOLK DANCE: SQUARE DANCE
STATE WEB SITE: ACCESS IDAHO
And of Course . . .
STATE VEGETABLE: POTATO
Tourist Attractions
If you are touring the state, here are a few places you might want to visit.
CRATERS OF THE MOON
Dormant volcanic region. Idaho's only national park.
THE CITY OF BOISE
The capitol city of Idaho.
YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK
Yes, we have our own little bit of Yellowstone. Visit any time you like.
CONGREGATION AHAVATH BETH ISRAEL
The oldest synagogue in continuous use west of the Mississippi.
THE CAPITOL BUILDING
What more is there to say? It's the capitol building.
SUN VALLEY
The world-famous ski resort. Olympic ice-skaters perform here.
Origin of the Name 'Idaho'
First things first. The word Idaho doesn't mean anything in any language. It was coined by mining lobbyist George M. Willing. He told the Idaho Congress it meant 'Gem of the Mountains' in an Indian language. Now, Indian names were the rave in the late 1800's and Congress was careless enough not to check whether Idaho actually meant anything. Nobody found realized that 'Idaho' was a faux until the bill to create the Idaho Territory was placed before the U.S. Senate. By this time the word was already so popular, it was too late to change. President Lincoln signed the Idaho territory bill in 1863, and it became a state in 1890 on July 3rd.
