Idaho - School-Age
Idaho
43rd State (July 3, 1890), northwest U.S.
State Abbreviation: ID
Capital: Boise
Origin of name: Idaho is an invented word.
Motto: Esto perpetua (Let it be perpetual)
Nickname: Gem State, Spud State, Land of Famous Potatoes
Idaho State Symbols
Idaho: State Seal
Bird: Mountain Bluebird
Dance: Square Dance
Fish: Cutthroat trout
Flower: Syringa
Fruit: Huckleberry
Fossil: Hagerman Horse Fossil
Gemstone: Idaho Star Garnet
Horse: Appaloosa
Insect: Monarch Butterfly
Raptor: Peregrine Falcon
Song: Here We Have Idaho
Tree: Western White Pine
Vegetable: Potato
Video
Things to Know
Agriculture: potatoes, peas, onions, wheat, dairy products, and sweet corn seed. Idaho ranks first nationally for potato production.
The Snake River Birds of Prey Natural Area, near Kuna, is the location of the largest concentration of nesting raptors in North America.
Idaho's Birds of Prey: A publication of the Conservation Sciences Program (pdf)
Wild Life Ezpress is about falcons and Idaho's peregrine falcon.
Minerals
There are over 280 minerals known to occur in Idaho, from gemstones to sand is mined in Idaho.
Idaho has over 80 varieties of precious and semi precious stones, worldwide second only to Africa.
In Idaho almost every known gemstone has been found somewhere in the state.
Idaho's state gem the star garnet is rare, it is only found in India and in the Emerald Creek area of the Idaho Panhandle National Forest.
Rivers
Major Rivers: Coeur d'Alene River, Snake River, St. Joe River, St. Maries River, Kootenai River.
The Snake River flows north through the Hells Canyon and forms the boundary between Idaho and Oregon. Hells Canyon is the deepest gorge at 7,900 feet (2,400 metres) on the North American continent.
Shoshone Falls
Shoshone Falls on the Snake River, drops 212 feet.
Port of Lewiston, Idaho is the most inland seaport on the West Coast, located 465 miles (750 km) from the Pacific Ocean, on the confluence of the Snake and Clearwater rivers.
Famous Idahoans
Gutzon Borglum (1871-1941)
Mt. Rushmore sculptor
Dean Oliver (1929- )
Won eight world championships in rodeo calf roping plus three titles as world champion all-around cowboy. Includes video clips of Dean Oliver.
James F. Reilly (1954- )
Astronaut
Things to Do
Idaho Potato-Just for Kids
Fun downloads, kid-friendly recipes, online games, activities, and a giant potato.
Idaho Flag Map color page
Sites to See
Crayola Idaho flash card.
Idaho Learning grades 3-5
Sixty classroom activities - lesson plans and videos.
