Latin for "It is perpetual" or "Let it be perpetual."
Adopted 1891/1890.
Idaho, the "Gem State," is a magnificent Western frontier defined by its rugged mountain wilderness, crystalline rivers, and soaring canyons. Famed for its vast public lands and world-class outdoor recreation, it is a leading center for specialized agriculture, timber production, and a rapidly booming technology sector.
Idaho officially joined the Union on July 3, 1890, as the 43rd state. Its history is a narrative of explorers, t? Native American heritage and the Lewis and Clark expedition to the transformative 1860s gold and silver rushes that established it as a pivotal region for mining and expansion in the American West.
Boise
Population: ~235,000The state capital and a booming metropolitan center, consistently ranked as one of the best places to live due to its vibrant downtown, proximity to mountain trails, and thriving tech economy.
Meridian
Population: ~130,000Currently the fastest-growing city in the state, this dynamic suburban hub is a major center for commerce and family living, located centrally within the booming Treasure Valley region.
Nampa
Population: ~110,000The second-largest city in the Treasure Valley, known for its deep agricultural roots, diverse industrial base, and its status as a significant regional center for transportation and health services.
Idaho Falls
Population: ~66,000A vital hub for eastern Idaho and the gateway to Yellowstone National Park, hosting a massive research community tied to the nearby Idaho National Laboratory nuclear research facility.
Caldwell
Population: ~65,000Celebrated for its historic downtown and thriving wine industry, this city serves as a key agricultural and educational anchor for the southwestern portion of the state.
Region: West
- Idaho is famous for its potatoes, producing nearly one-third of all potatoes grown in the United States every year.
- The state is so mountainous that it contains more than **100 different mountain ranges**, including the majestic Sawtooth and Bitterroot mountains.
- Idaho's Star Garnet is so rare that it is found in significant quantities only in two places in the world: Idaho and the country of India.