Idaho (ˈaɪdəhoʊ) is a
state in the
northwestern region of the
United States. Idaho is the
14th most expansive, the
39th most populous, and the 7th least densely populated of the
50 United States. The state's largest city and capital is
Boise. Residents are called "
Idahoans". Idaho was admitted to the
Union on July 3, 1890, as the 43rd state.
Idaho is a mountainous state with an area larger than that of all of
New England. It is
landlocked, surrounded by the states of
Washington,
Oregon,
Nevada,
Utah,
Wyoming,
Montana and the
Canadian province of
British Columbia. However, the network of dams and locks on the
Columbia River and
Snake River make the city of
Lewiston the farthest inland seaport on the Pacific coast of the contiguous United States.
Idaho's nickname is the "Gem State", because nearly every known type of
gemstone has been found here. In addition, Idaho is one of only two places in the world where
star garnets can be found in any significant quantities, the other being
India. Additionally Idaho is sometimes called the "Potato State" owing to its popular crop. The state motto is
Esto Perpetua (
Latin for "Let it be forever").