# Idaho

> state of the United States of America

**Wikidata**: [Q1221](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1221)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Idaho)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/idaho

## Summary
Idaho is a state located in the northwestern region of the United States, admitted to the Union on July 3, 1890. Known as the "Gem State," it is the 14th largest state by area and the 39th most populous, with an estimated population of 1.76 million as of 2020. Idaho's diverse geography includes mountain ranges, rivers, and forests, and it plays a significant role in U.S. agriculture, technology, and natural resource management.

## Key Facts
- **Admission to the Union**: July 3, 1890 (43rd state)
- **Capital**: Boise (since 1865)
- **Largest City**: Boise
- **Nickname**: "The Gem State"
- **Motto**: *Esto perpetua* ("It is forever" or "Let it be perpetual")
- **Area**: 83,474 square miles (216,100 km²), 14th largest in the U.S.
- **Population**: 1,866,775 (2020 U.S. Census)
- **Density**: 22.3 inhabitants per square mile (8.6/km²)
- **Highest Point**: Borah Peak, 11,387 feet (3,468 m)
- **Lowest Point**: Snake River, 710 feet (216 m)
- **Governor**: Brad Little (R, since 2019)
- **U.S. Senators**: Mike Crapo (R) and Jim Risch (R)
- **U.S. House Seats**: 2 (1st and 2nd districts)
- **Time Zones**: Mountain (UTC−7/−6) and Pacific (UTC−8/−7)
- **ISO Codes**: US-ID, Alpha-2: ID, Numeric: 16
- **Website**: [idaho.gov](https://www.idaho.gov)

## FAQs
**What is Idaho's role in U.S. agriculture?**  
Idaho is a leading producer of potatoes, hay, barley, and cheese, contributing significantly to the nation's food supply.

**How does Idaho's geography influence its economy?**  
The state's vast natural resources, including timber, minerals, and hydroelectric power, drive industries like mining, forestry, and renewable energy.

**What are Idaho's most notable natural attractions?**  
Key sites include the Sawtooth National Forest, Hells Canyon, Craters of the Moon National Monument, and the Snake River Plain.

**How has Idaho's population grown historically?**  
From 165,493 in 1900 to 1.76 million in 2020, reflecting westward expansion and economic opportunities in agriculture and technology.

**What is Idaho's political landscape?**  
Consistently Republican in presidential elections since 1968, with a strong conservative leaning in state governance.

## Why It Matters
Idaho's unique blend of natural resources, agricultural productivity, and growing tech sector positions it as a critical contributor to the U.S. economy. Its vast wilderness areas and outdoor recreational opportunities make it a destination for tourism, while its political conservatism influences national discourse. The state's historical role in mining and hydroelectric power underscores its importance in energy production and resource management.

## Notable For
- **Agricultural Leadership**: Top U.S. producer of potatoes and barley.
- **Natural Wonders**: Home to Hells Canyon (deepest river gorge in North America) and the Sawtooth Wilderness.
- **Nuclear Research**: Hosts the Idaho National Laboratory, a key site for nuclear energy development.
- **Tech Growth**: Emerging tech hubs in Boise, including semiconductor manufacturing and software development.
- **Conservative Politics**: A bellwether for Republican policy and rural American political trends.

## Body
### Geography and Climate
Idaho spans the northwestern U.S., bordered by Montana, Wyoming, Nevada, Oregon, Washington, and Canada. Its terrain includes the Rocky Mountains, the Columbia Plateau, and the Snake River Plain. The climate varies from humid continental in the north to semi-arid in the south, with cold winters and warm summers.

### Economy
- **Agriculture**: Dominated by potato farming (one-third of U.S. production), dairy, and cattle ranching.
- **Mining**: Extracts gold, silver, and phosphate, with the Coeur d'Alene District historically significant for silver.
- **Technology**: Micron Technology, Hewlett-Packard, and Simplot headquarters are based in Boise.
- **Tourism**: Attracts visitors to national parks, ski resorts (Sun Valley, Schweitzer), and rivers for rafting/kayaking.

### History
- **Indigenous Peoples**: Home to the Nez Perce, Shoshone, and Coeur d'Alene tribes before European settlement.
- **Lewis and Clark Expedition**: Crossed Idaho in 1805, mapping the region for U.S. expansion.
- **Statehood**: Achieved after disputes over governance and infrastructure development.

### Culture
- **Festivals**: Boise's Treefort Music Fest, Idaho Shakespeare Festival, and the Sawtooth Summer Symphony.
- **Cuisine**: Known for potato dishes, huckleberry products, and trout.
- **Education**: Hosts Boise State University and the University of Idaho, with a focus on engineering and agriculture.

### Government and Politics
- **Legislature**: Bicameral body with a 35-seat Senate and 70-seat House of Representatives.
- **Judiciary**: Supreme Court and district courts oversee state law.
- **Federal Representation**: Two U.S. Senators and two House Representatives.

### Demographics
- **Urban vs. Rural**: 75% of residents live in urban areas, with Boise as the primary metropolitan hub.
- **Ethnic Diversity**: 88% White, 11% Hispanic/Latino, 1.4% Native American, and growing Asian and African American communities.
- **Religion**: Predominantly Christian, with significant Mormon and Catholic populations.

### Infrastructure
- **Transportation**: Served by Interstate 84 and 90, with Boise Airport as the main aviation hub.
- **Energy**: Relies on hydroelectric power (40% of generation) and nuclear research at the Idaho National Laboratory.

### Environmental Issues
- **Wildfire Risk**: Increasing due to climate change, impacting forests and air quality.
- **Water Management**: Balancing agricultural, industrial, and ecological needs in the Snake River Basin.

### Related Entities
- **Bordering States**: Montana, Wyoming, Nevada, Oregon, Washington.
- **Major Cities**: Boise, Idaho Falls, Pocatello, Meridian, Caldwell.
- **National Parks**: Yellowstone (partially in Idaho), Nez Perce National Historical Park.
- **Industries**: Agriculture, mining, technology, tourism, and government services.

## References

1. archINFORM
2. Virtual International Authority File
3. CiNii Research
4. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
5. FIPS 10-4
6. MusicBrainz
7. [2010 United States Census](https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?g=0100000US%241600000&y=2010&d=DEC%20Redistricting%20Data%20%28PL%2094-171%29)
8. [Population Estimates Program](https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/popest.html)
9. [2020 United States Census](https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?t=Populations%20and%20People&g=0100000US,%241600000&y=2020)
10. [2016–2020 American Community Survey](https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?d=ACS%205-Year%20Estimates%20Detailed%20Tables)
11. GeoNames
12. BBC Things
13. Getty Thesaurus of Geographic Names
14. YSO-Wikidata mapping project
15. BabelNet
16. UMLS 2023
17. United States Summary: 2010, Population and Housing Unit Counts, 2000 Census of Population and Housing
18. [Source](https://www.tripadvisor.com.br/Tourism-g28933-Idaho-Vacations.html)
19. Treccani's Enciclopedia on line
20. Aligned ISNI and Ringgold identifiers for institutions
21. Google Maps
22. Enciclopedia Treccani
23. [2016–2020 American Community Survey](https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?t=Income%20and%20Poverty&g=0100000US,%241600000&tid=ACSST5Y2020.S1902)
24. [archINFORM](https://www.archinform.net/service/wd_aiort.php)
25. Dizionario di Storia
26. [Source](https://www.minimum-wage.org/wage-by-state)
27. [Source](https://encyklopedia.pwn.pl/haslo/Idaho;3913821.html)
28. [iNaturalist](https://www.inaturalist.org/places/inaturalist-places.csv.zip)
29. KBpedia
30. [Source](https://github.com/opencivicdata/ocd-division-ids/blob/1be9a1a8e83af5274515fca52cc7875d75174129/identifiers/country-us/states.csv)
31. [Source](https://entities.oclc.org/worldcat/entity/E39PBJppFJbGwjYvwvcBDT46rq.html)