Bounded by the Canadian province of British Columbia to the north and the US states of Montana and Wyoming to the east, Utah and Nevada to the south, and Oregon and Washington to the west, Idaho is twice the size of the six New England states combined.
With an abundance of scenic mountains, lakes, rivers and outdoor attractions, the state attracts more than 20 million tourists each year. Idaho produces more potatoes and trout than any other state in the nation, and is known as the “Gem State” for the 72 types of precious and semi-precious stones it produces – some of which are exclusive to the state.
The state capital, Boise, is also its largest city with a population of over 200,000.
Geography
Idaho is located in the western United States and is bordered by Washington, Oregon, Montana, Wyoming, Nevada, and Utah. It covers an area of 83,569 square miles and has a population of 1.7 million people. Idaho is the 39th most populous state in the US.
Idaho has three distinct geographic regions: the Rocky Mountains, the Great Plains and the Columbia Plateau. The Rocky Mountains run along Idaho’s northern border with Montana and Wyoming and are characterized by deep canyons, rugged peaks and high elevation plateaus. The Great Plains cover much of Idaho’s eastern border with Montana and Wyoming as well as portions of its southern border with Nevada and Utah. This region is characterized by rolling hills, sagebrush-covered plains and wide valleys. The Columbia Plateau covers much of Idaho’s western border with Washington and Oregon as well as portions of its northern border with Montana. This region is characterized by lava beds, steep cliffs and expansive deserts.
The highest point in Idaho is Borah Peak at 12,662 feet above sea level while Hells Canyon on the Snake River is its deepest canyon at 7,993 feet deep. Idaho also has many rivers including the Snake River which runs through parts of eastern Oregon before entering southwestern Idaho where it forms part of the state’s boundary with Washington before eventually entering its confluence with the Columbia River at Lewiston in north central Idaho; this section of river provides many recreational opportunities such as fishing for salmon or steelhead trout or white-water rafting down its rapids. Other rivers include the Salmon River which flows from central Idaho to Lewiston where it meets up with Clearwater River; Payette River which passes through Boise on its way to meet up with Snake River; Bruneau River which flows through Owyhee County towards Nevada; Boise River which runs through Ada County; Bear Creek that flows into Lake Coeur d’Alene; Salmon Falls Creek that flows into Snake River near Twin Falls; Weiser River that flows into Malheur National Wildlife Refuge near Ontario; Salmon Falls Creek that enters Snake River near Twin Falls; Bear Lake that straddles both sides of Utah/Idaho state line near Montpelier; Henry’s Fork that runs from Island Park Reservoir to Palisades Reservoir in Eastern Idaho.
Cities in Idaho
Below are the top 15 cities by population in Idaho. For all cities and towns in the state, please see Idaho cities list.
| Rank | City | Population |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Boise City | 231,537 |
| 2 | Meridian | 115,227 |
| 3 | Nampa | 98,881 |
| 4 | Idaho Falls | 64,399 |
| 5 | Caldwell | 58,872 |
| 6 | Pocatello | 55,865 |
| 7 | Coeur d’Alene | 53,189 |
| 8 | Twin Falls | 51,223 |
| 9 | Post Falls | 38,162 |
| 10 | Lewiston | 33,964 |
| 11 | Rexburg | 33,684 |
| 12 | Eagle | 29,665 |
| 13 | Moscow | 25,336 |
| 14 | Kuna | 23,765 |
| 15 | Ammon | 17,401 |
Counties in Idaho
The State of Idaho consists of 44 counties. They are:
- Ada County, Idaho
- Adams County, Idaho
- Bannock County, Idaho
- Bear Lake County, Idaho
- Benewah County, Idaho
- Bingham County, Idaho
- Blaine County, Idaho
- Boise County, Idaho
- Bonner County, Idaho
- Bonneville County, Idaho
- Boundary County, Idaho
- Butte County, Idaho
- Camas County, Idaho
- Canyon County, Idaho
- Caribou County, Idaho
- Cassia County, Idaho
- Clark County, Idaho
- Clearwater County, Idaho
- Custer County, Idaho
- Elmore County, Idaho
- Franklin County, Idaho
- Fremont County, Idaho
- Gem County, Idaho
- Gooding County, Idaho
- Idaho County, Idaho
- Jefferson County, Idaho
- Jerome County, Idaho
- Kootenai County, Idaho
- Latah County, Idaho
- Lemhi County, Idaho
- Lewis County, Idaho
- Lincoln County, Idaho
- Madison County, Idaho
- Minidoka County, Idaho
- Nez Perce County, Idaho
- Oneida County, Idaho
- Owyhee County, Idaho
- Payette County, Idaho
- Power County, Idaho
- Shoshone County, Idaho
- Teton County, Idaho
- Twin Falls County, Idaho
- Valley County, Idaho
- Washington County, Idaho
