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Idaho
Motto: "Esto perpetua" - Latin - "Let it be perpetual"
Nickname: "The Gem State"
Capital: Boise
Population: 1,366,332 (Estimate by the US Census Bureau 7/01/03); Ranks 39th in US State Population
Size: 479 miles long and 305 miles wide; covers 83,574 square miles - 14th largest of the 50 states
State Bird: Mountain Bluebird
State Flower: Mock Orange
Idaho came from a word made up by mining lobbyist George M. Willing. It was first presented as a name for the new territory around Pike's Peak. He told Congress that Idaho was a Shoshone Indian word that meant "Gem of the Mountains." Indian names were popular at that time and Congress was set to name the Pike's Peak region Idaho. Then they found that Idaho was not an Indian name, but a name made up by Mr. Willing. In reaction, Congress named the Pike's Peak territory Colorado rather than Idaho. However, when Congress created a new territory for the Idaho Mines, the name given to an area where gold was found in Nez Perce county, the name Idaho seemed like a natural.
Idaho became a state on July 3, 1890. It was the 43rd state to be admitted to the Union.
People who live in or come from Idaho are called Idahoans.
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