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Idaho - The Gem State

Idaho

Shoshone Falls is a waterfall in Idaho sometimes referred to as the "Niagara of the West". It is actually higher than Niagara, falling from a height of 212 feet or 65 metres, compared to 167 feet or 51 metres.

Idaho was the 43rd state to be admitted to the Union. It joined on the 3rd of July 1890.

Idaho's official state flower is the Syringa, or Philadelphus Lewisii.

Idaho is the 14th largest of the 50 states in terms of area. It covers 83,570 square miles or 216,632 square km - only slightly smaller than Scotland and England combined.

In 1925 the town of American Falls in Idaho was moved to make way for the building of a dam. It was the first American town to be relocated in entirety.

Idaho's official state horse is the Appaloosa, a leopard-spotted breed bred by the Nez Perce Native Americans. It's name is a corruption of "Palouse", a river which flowed through the Nez Perce lands.

There were an estimated 1,612,136 people living in Idaho in 2013, making it the 39th largest of the US states in terms of population.

Idaho has an average elevation of 5,000 feet or 1,520 metres - the 6th highest of all the US states. The highest point in Idaho is Borah Peak which stands 12,668 feet or 3,861 metres above sea level.

The official state song is Here we have Idaho, the music to which was written in 1915 and the words two years later by a student at the University of Idaho. The song was adopted by the state in 1931.

Why not try this fun quiz and find out how much you know about the Gem State.

For a closer look at the pictures, please click on them to enlarge.

1 .

The flag of Idaho features the state seal on a blue background, underneath which is written in gold on a red banner "State of Idaho". The state's motto Esto perpetua is written on the seal. What does Esto perpetua translate into English as?

Let it be Essential

Let it be Superior

Let it be Eternal

Let it be Successful

Esto perpetua were the last words of the 16th century Venetian polymath Paolo Sarpi in reference to his home city. The words have since been adopted as the mottos of not only Idaho but also a British warship, a farm organisation based in Washington D.C, an 18th century literary and dining club (of which Samuel Johnson was a member), a rugby club in New Zealand and at least four schools: one in Virginia and three in Sri Lanka

2 .

What is the official state vegetable of Idaho?

The potato

The swede

The Parsnip

The turnip

Agriculture is an important part of the economy in Idaho and potatoes are a main crop. The state produces nearly one third of all the potatoes grown in the USA

3 .

What is the capital of and also the most populous city in Idaho?

Pocatello

Nampa

Idaho Falls

Boise

Boise is the only city in Idaho with a population over 100,000. An estimated 214,237 people lived there in 2013.

Nampa, Idaho falls and Pocatello are the 2nd, 3rd and 4th largest cities respectively. All three are renowned as centres of learning with Nampa containing the Northwest Nazarene University, Idaho Falls the Idaho National Laboratory and Pocatello the Idaho State University

4 .

These trees are western red cedars. In the town of Elk River the Idaho Champion Western Red Cedar Tree can be found - the largest tree in the state. How old is this tree thought to be?

Over 4,000 years old

Over 3,000 years old

Over 2,000 years old

Over 1,000 years old

Not only is the Idaho Champion Western Red Cedar Tree the largest tree in the state, it is also the largest tree east of Oregon. It stands some 177 feet or 54 metres tall and has a girth of 56 feet or 17 metres

5 .

Who is this politician who was born in the city of Sandpoint, Idaho?

Rosa Clemente

Sarah Palin

Hilary Clinton

Elizabeth Dole

Sarah Palin was nominated as a candidate for the position of Vice-President in the Presidential election of 2008, becoming the first Republican woman to be nominated for the role. She is perhaps best known as the 9th Governor of Alaska, a position which she held from 2006 - 2009.

Despite being born in Idaho Sarah Palin did not live there for very long. Her family moved to Alaska when she was less than a year old

6 .

What is the official state bird of Idaho?

The Mountain Bluebird

The Blue Tit

The Eastern Bluebird

The Blue Jay

Idaho adopted the mountain bluebird in 1931. It is also the state bird of Nevada. The eastern bluebird is the state bird of Missouri and New York

7 .

Carved by the Snake River, Hell's Canyon in Idaho is the deepest river gorge in the whole of North America. How deep is it?

3,993 feet or 1,217 metres

5,993 feet or 1,827 metres

7,993 feet or 2,436 metres

7,993 feet or 3,046 metres

The gorge's depth is measured from the summit of the mountain He Devil which cannot be seen from the river as it is over 5 miles or 8 km away!

8 .

What is Idaho's official state dance?

The Lindy Hop

The Charleston

The Polka

The Square Dance

Although it originated in 17th century England the square dance has become an American institution. Only 32 of the 50 American states have a symbolic state dance and of those 24 have the square dance as either their official state dance or as their state folk dance

9 .

The Great Seal of the State of Idaho is unique amongst all the state seals of America for what reason?

It is the only state seal to have been designed during the 18th century

It is the only state seal to have been designed by a child

It is the only state seal to have been designed during the 21st century

It is the only state seal to have been designed by a woman

The seal was designed by Emma Edwards Green in 1890 following Idaho's admission to the Union. It features a woman (representing justice) and a miner (mining was Idaho's main industry at the time) standing either side of a shield. The shield bears a pine tree (representing the forests in the state), a ploughman (depicting agriculture) and Idaho's mountainous landscape. Agriculture is again represented below the shield where there are two horns-of-plenty and a sheaf of wheat. Above the shield is an elk's head and the state's motto Esto Perpetua

10 .

Idaho's official state fish has a red mark on its lower jaw, earning it what nickname?

The Lipstick Trout

The Shaving Trout

The Cutthroat Trout

The bearded trout

The cutthroat trout (Oncorhynchus Clarki) was adopted by Idaho in 1990. It is also the state fish of Wyoming and Montana, whilst subspecies of cutthroat trout represent four other US states.

Several types of cutthroat trout are thought to be under threat and they are being bred in hatcheries so that they can be released into the wild and swell their numbers

Author: Graeme Haw