Adjacent to Washington and
Oregon in the Pacific Northwest
USA,
Idaho is a big state.
It’s been said if you flatten all
the mountains in Idaho,
the state would be the size of Texas.
Idaho covers 2 time zones, runs from Canada to Nevada,
and encompasses the western side of the continental divide
of the Rocky Mountains.
Rivers, mountains and farmland
dominate the state landscape.
The panhandle has emerald green hillsides,
timbered mountains and pristine lakes.
Central Idaho is covered with jagged peaks.
The Snake River Plain, with its wide open vistas,
irrigated farm lands and vibrant cities forms the
character of Southern Idaho.
Idaho’s history lies with its native tribes,
the Lewis and Clark Expedition and determined pioneers on
the Oregon Trail.
Today’s Idaho is both cosmopolitan and
small~town friendly.
WEATHER
Idaho’s climate is diverse
and influenced by weather patterns off the Pacific Ocean.
Generally, the northern part of the state receives more
precipitation than southern Idaho,
which has warmer summer temperatures.
To a large extent, the source of moisture for precipitation in
Idaho is the Pacific Ocean.
In summer, there are some exceptions to this when moisture~laden
air is brought in from the south at high levels to produce
thunderstorm activity, particularly in the eastern part
of Idaho.
Sizeable areas in the Clearwater, Payette, and
Boise River Basins receive an average of 40 to 50 inches per year,
with a few points or small areas receiving in excess of 60 inches.
Large areas including the northeastern valleys,
much of the Upper Snake River Plains, Central Plains,
and the lower elevations of the Southwestern Valleys
receive less than 10 inches annually.
Snowfall distribution is affected both by availability
of moisture and by elevation.
Annual snowfall totals in North Idaho have
reached nearly 500 inches in the past.
The major mountain ranges of the state accumulate
a deep snow cover during the winter months,
and the release of water from the melting snowpack
in late spring furnishes irrigation water for more
than 2 million acres.
The highest annual average temperatures for Idaho are
found in the lower elevations of the Clearwater and
Little Salmon River Basins, and in the stretch of the
Snake River Valley from the vicinity of Bliss downstream
to Lewiston, including the open valleys of the
Boise, Payette,
and Weiser Rivers.
At Swan Falls the annual mean is 55 ° F,
the highest in the State.
Obsidian, at an elevation of 6780 feet in Custer County,
has the lowest annual average, 35 ° F, with such places as
Sun Valley, Stanley and Island Park not far behind.
Air quality is good throughout the year with the
exception of winter temperature inversions and the effects
of pollen in a few locations.
The annual average percentage of possible sunshine ranges
from about 50% in the north to about 70% in the south.
Winter, with its frequent periods of cloudy weather,
has about 40% of possible sunshine in the large
open valleys of the south and less than 30% in the north.
In July and August the average percentage rises to around 80%
in the southwest and in the east and north.
ECONOMY
The Idaho Association of Commerce and Industry
represents nearly 300 Idaho businesses in such
diverse fields as agriculture and food service,
technology, accounting firms and banks, utilities,
manufacturing and construction, as well as
chambers of commerce from Idaho's large and
small cities and associations representing a
wide variety of interests in a common quest to
shape policy for a bright economic future.
Members represent every aspect of commerce in
every corner of the state, ranging from sole
proprietors to corporations, from agricultural
interests to high~tech.
Idaho produces 72 types of precious and semi~precious stones.
Some of these stones can be found nowhere else in the world,
which is why the state is known as 'The Gem State'.
Agriculture, manufacturing and tourism are
Idaho’s
major industries.
Abundant outdoor recreation opportunities and
scenic vistas around every turn attract over
20 million tourists annually.
Based on average housing costs, utilities, health care,
transportation, groceries and other services,
Idaho’s cost of living is the 2nd lowest of the
11 western states.
Idaho’s housing costs are moderate and affordable
with homes available from modest cottages to executive estates.
Idaho has a strong and diversified economy.
Manufacturing and agriculture remain top industries
while high~tech, tourism, retail, health~care, business and
information services are growth sectors.
For job listings start with Idaho Commerce and Labor,
which has 24 offices scattered throughout the state.
Idaho provides a substantial energy
cost advantage over much of the nation.
Natural gas rates are competitive and residential
electric rates are among the lowest in the country.
Idaho’s income tax parallels the
United States federal government
in that the same deductions are allowed and
the same income is taxed.
SCHOOLS
Idaho ranks in the top 3rd among the 50 states
for percentage of adults aged 25 and older who
have graduated from high school (84.7%).
Nearly 64% of the state’s general fund is dedicated
to education and almost 94% of school age children
attend public schools.
Almost every city with a population over 20 thousand has a
college or university and 6 professional~technical
training centers provide vocational education as well.
For more details please contact the
Idaho Department of Education.
HOSPITALITY
Many people don’t know much about Idaho except "famous potatoes.
Whichever part of this magnificent state you choose to discover,
you’ll find spectacular scenery, fun things to do and friendly,
helpful people. You’ll also find a place that’s unhurried,
unspoiled and unassuming.
The welcome mat is always out in Idaho,
where we have a wide variety of lodging properties from which
to choose, for any budget;
luxury resorts, familiar hotel chains and
small independent motels.
So linger awhile and discover Idaho.
For more details please contact
Idaho State Tourism.
NEWS
Idaho State 
Idaho
Realtors
Real Estate Sites in CANADA
Real Estate Sites in the USA