Idaho Idaho was settled during the gold rush of the 1800s. Veins of silver and gold were found in the mountains of central Idaho and it wasn’t long before thousands of pioneers had settled all over the territory in an attempt to get rich. As the pioneers mined for gold, they happened upon a pleasant surprise. In addition to the silver and gold, Idaho was abundant in gems such as topaz and jade. Hence Idaho’s nickname: the Gem State. Idaho is one of the most scenic states in the nation. It holds claim to numerous world famous sites. Here are just a few of the many wonders Idaho offers. • Hells Canyon, the deepest river gorge in the U.S. – 8,000 feet deep at some points. • Shoshone Falls (36 feet taller than Niagara falls) • Soda Springs (largest man-made geyser) • The Sawtooth Mountains in central Idaho • The world famous Lava Hot Springs • The “Craters of the Moon” in south-central Idaho • Sun Valley Resort, where the movie stars play • Coeur d’Alene, playground of the Pacific Northwest • Bruneau Dunes, the largest sand dunes in North America Geographically, Idaho is one of the most diverse in the country. From the rolling deserts of southern Idaho and the forested mountains of central Idaho to the rolling plains of the Palouse, this state has it all. If you’re into river rafting, Idaho has the Salmon River, nicknamed “The River of No Return.” If you like water sports, Idaho has more than 2,000 lakes with names, and many more without. One of the most famous is Pend Oreille, which is more than 1,100 feet deep in some parts. The Navy has tested some of its submarines at Lake Pend Oreille. Idaho is an outdoorsman’s dream come true. The state offers thousands of miles of trails for backpackers. Hunting and fishing locales are abundant all over the state. Idaho is home to part of the famous Lewis and Clark Trail. You can learn first-hand how the expedition was saved from certain starvation by the Nez Pierce Indian tribe. Idaho is the 13th largest state in the nation, but is sparsely populated with 1.3 million residents. The benefit of this is low crime rates and a healthy lifestyle. Last but certainly not least, Idaho indeed does have great potatoes. In 1937, the Idaho Potato Commission was formed. The state-run agency’s responsibilities include researching and expanding the Idaho potato market.
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