Idaho Education

 
Because Idaho is a rugged land composed mostly of relatively unpopulated areas, many of the state's educational and cultural institutions are concentrated in the state's major cities, especially in the capital city, Boise.

 

Education
The first school in Idaho, established in the 1830s, was a missionary school for Native Americans. In 1864 the territorial legislature created the post of superintendent of instruction, thus laying the foundation for a statewide public school system. In the late 1980s Idaho contained 574 public elementary and secondary schools with a combined annual enrollment of about 156,600 elementary pupils and 58,300 secondary students. In the same period Idaho had 11 institutions of higher education that had a combined enrollment of approximately 49,000 students. Among the most notable of these schools were the University of Idaho (1889) in Moscow; Boise State University (1932) in Boise; the Albertson College of Idaho (1891) in Caldwell; and Idaho State University (1901) in Pocatello.

Idaho, one of the Mountain states of the United States, bounded on the north by British Columbia; on the east by Montana and Wyoming; on the south by Utah and Nevada; and on the west by Oregon and Washington. Part of the eastern boundary of Idaho is formed by the Continental Divide (the crest of the Rocky Mountains). The Snake River forms part of the western boundary of the state.
Idaho entered the Union on July 3, 1890, as the 43rd state. Idaho has traditionally been known for its agricultural, forest, and mineral resources. By the 1990s, however, services and manufacturing had supplanted agriculture as the state's leading economic sectors. Tourism is increasingly important to the economy; many visitors are lured to Idaho each year by the unspoiled beauty of the mountain wilderness areas. The name of the state was coined in 1860 by George M. Willing, an un-successful candidate for congressional delegate from the mining region of Pikes Peak. Idaho's nickname is the Gem State.

Land and Resources
Idaho, with an area of 216,456 sq km (83,574 sq mi), is the 14th largest state in the United States; 60.6 percent of the land is owned by the federal government. The state is roughly triangular in shape, and its extreme dimensions are about 772 km (about 480 mi) from north to south and about 499 km (about 310 mi) from east to west. Its elevations range from 216 m (710 ft) along the Snake River at Lewiston to 3859 m (12,662 ft) atop Borah Peak. The approximate mean elevation is 1524 m (5000 ft).

Physical Geography
Nearly the entire northern two-thirds of the state is occupied by the Rocky Mountains. This region contains some of the most rugged terrain in the entire Rocky Mountain system. In general, the summit elevations of the many ranges decrease to the northwest from the crest of the Bitterroot Range on the Montana border. This region, composed primarily of geologically young granitic rocks, is noted for its vast tracts of forestland.
The Columbia Plateau area occupies much of the southern third of the state as well as the western border north to Coeur d'Alene. The plateau was formed by the accumulation of many lava flows, and the soils that formed on it (reddish, volcanic aridisols) are fertile. The Snake River traverses this region, and its relatively broad plain forms Idaho's agricultural heartland.
In the southeastern part of the state lies a portion of the Great Basin. This region contains a few parallel ranges separated by valleys. Relatively fertile soils (mollisols) have formed on the semiarid grass- and sagebrush-covered land of this region.

Rivers and Lakes
Idaho's principal stream is the Snake River, which, along with its major tributaries—the Clearwater, Salmon, Payette, and Boise—drains the southern and central parts of the state. The swift-flowing tributaries carry water from the mountains to the drier plains. Many of these rivers flow through canyons, the most impressive of which is the deep Hells Canyon of the Snake River. The Kootenai, Pend Oreille, and Spokane rivers drain the northern part of the state. Numerous natural lakes are found in the northern, mountainous part of the state; Lake Pend Oreille and Coeur d'Alene are the largest. Large artificial lakes have been created on the Snake River and its tributaries. These include Dworshak, Cascade, Palisades, Arrowrock, and American Falls reservoirs.

Climate
In spite of its distance from the Pacific Ocean, Idaho has a climate that is influenced by maritime air. Moisture-bearing winds drop as much as 1270 mm (50 in) of precipitation on the higher western slopes of the Rockies, mostly as snow in winter. The Snake River plain and the Basin and Range region are much drier, many areas receiving less than 254 mm (less than 10 in) of precipitation a year. The moderating effects of maritime air cause average winter temperatures to be warmer and summer temperatures cooler than in the Great Plains states to the east. The state's average annual temperature is 7.8° C (46° F). The recorded temperature has ranged from -51.1° C (-60° F) in 1943 to 47.8° C (118° F) in 1934.

Plants and Animals
Forests cover about 45 percent of the total land area of Idaho; more than three-fifths of this is of commercial value. The state is known for its fine coniferous forests (especially of western white pine), found mainly in the mountainous regions. Western yellow pine and Douglas fir grow at the lower elevations, giving way to larch and western white pine and, at the highest elevations, spruce and fir. The drier Snake River plain, which is now dominated by irrigated farmland, was once sagebrush-covered. The Great Basin area supports a vegetation of piñon-juniper woodlands and sagebrush. Fauna in the mountain zone includes Virginia and mule deer, elk (wapiti), mountain sheep, mountain goats, black bears, foxes, squirrels, chipmunks, jays, and hawks. Also found in the state are mountain lions, coyotes, rabbits, and badgers. Hawks and eagles are found in the Snake River gorges, and migrating waterfowl are common on the Snake River plain. Salmon (in the Salmon River) and trout (notably steelhead) are Idaho's major sport fish. Sturgeon are taken in the Snake River.

Mineral Resources
Idaho is rich in mineral resources. The major deposits are concentrated in two areas: the Coeur d'Alene district in the northern panhandle, which produces silver, zinc, and lead; and the southeastern Great Basin region, which produces significant amounts of phosphate rock, one of the state's most valuable mineral products. Other mineral resources include gold, antimony, garnet, molybdenum, and copper.

Population
According to the 1990 census, Idaho had 1,006,749 inhabitants, an increase of 6.7 percent over 1980. The average population density in 1990 was about 5 persons per sq km (about 12 per sq mi). Whites made up 94.4 percent of the population and blacks 0.3 percent; additional population groups included 13,594 Native Americans and 2719 persons of Japanese descent. About 52,900 persons were of Hispanic, mainly Mexican, origin. Among the principal Native American groups were the Nez Perce and Shoshone. Mormons formed the largest religious group in the state (30.5 percent), followed by Roman Catholics (11.5 percent). Idaho is one of the least urbanized states in the nation. In 1990 about 57 percent of Idaho's residents lived in areas defined as urban, and the rest lived in rural areas. The state has no large metropolitan centers; the largest cities were Boise, the capital; Pocatello; Idaho Falls; Nampa; Lewiston; and Twin Falls.


Cultural Institutions
There are more than 70 cultural institutions in the state. Among them are the Boise Art Museum and the Idaho State Historical Society, both in Boise; the Idaho Museum of Natural History in Pocatello; and the University of Idaho Museum in Moscow. Of special interest are the Latah County Museum, a local history museum in Moscow, and the Herrett Museum in Twin Falls, with collections featuring the art of North, Central, and South America, as well as artifacts of Idaho's Native Americans. Symphony orchestras are supported by Boise and Idaho Falls.

Historical Sites
For the most part, Idaho's historical sites are found along the trails that pioneers used on their westward migrations: the Oregon Trail, the route of the Lewis and Clark expedition (1804-1806), and the Mullan Road. Found in the state are a number of old mining settlements and ghost towns such as Idaho City, Bonanza, Custer, and Silver City. Nez Percé National Historical Park, near Lewiston, contains Saint Joseph's Mission and Fort Lapwai. Idaho's two national monuments are Craters of the Moon National Monument, near Arco and Hagerman Fossil Bed. Hells Canyon, the deepest gorge in North America, and Shoshone Falls, which tumbles 65 m (212 ft)—15.9 m (52 ft) farther than Niagara Falls—are both located on the Snake River.

Sports and Recreation
Idaho's mountains, lakes and streams, and extensive wilderness areas make it a haven for outdoor activities such as skiing, hunting, camping, hiking, boating, and fishing. Principal ski areas include Silver Horn, near Kellogg; Schweitzer Basin, near Sandpoint; and Sun Valley, opened in 1936 by the Union Pacific Railroad.

Communications
In the early 1990s, Idaho's communications system included 45 AM and 50 FM radio broadcasting stations and 16 television stations. The first radio station in the state, KFAU in Boise, was licensed in 1922, and the first television station, KIDO in Boise, began operation in 1953. The Golden Age, Idaho's first newspaper, began publication in Lewiston in 1862. In the early 1990s, Idaho had 12 daily newspapers with a total daily circulation of about 208,800. Among the state's influential newspapers were Boise's Idaho Statesman, Lewiston's Morning Tribune, Idaho Falls's Post Register, and Twin Falls's Times-News.

Government and Politics
Idaho is governed under its original constitution, adopted in 1889 and put into effect upon achieving statehood in 1890, as amended. An amendment to the constitution may be proposed by the state legislature or by a constitutional convention. To become effective, it must be approved by a majority of the people voting on the issue in an election.

Executive
The chief executive of Idaho is a governor who is popularly elected to a four-year term. The constitution does not limit the number of terms a governor or lieutenant governor may serve. The latter succeeds the governor should he or she resign, die, or be removed from office. Other elected executive officers are the secretary of state, attorney general, treasurer, auditor, and superintendent of public instruction.

Legislature
The bicameral Idaho legislature comprises a senate and a house of representatives. The 42 members of the senate and the 84 members of the house are popularly elected to two-year terms. Special sessions of the legislature may be called by the governor.

Judiciary
Idaho's highest court, the supreme court, is made up of a chief justice and four associate judges, all of whom serve six-year terms. The court of appeals includes three judges, also serving six-year terms. The major trial courts, the district courts, have a total of 33 judges, each serving a four-year term. Supreme court, court of appeals, and district court judges are initially nominated by the Idaho Judicial Council and then appointed by the governor; for successive terms they are elected on nonpartisan ballots.

Local Government
Idaho is divided into 44 counties, each governed by a board of county commissioners. Other county officials include the sheriff, assessor, prosecuting attorney, coroner, treasurer, and clerk of the district court. Cities have either mayor-council or commission forms of government.

National Representation
Idaho elects two senators and two representatives to the Congress of the United States. The state has four electoral votes in presidential elections.

Politics
Idaho's leading political figure was William E. Borah, a Republican who represented the state in the United States Senate from 1907 until his death in 1940. In presidential elections Idaho has usually voted Republican. Democrats have held the governorship since 1971, while Republicans have controlled the legislature.

Economy
During the 19th century, farming and livestock raising dominated the economy of Idaho; forestry and mining were other important sources of income. Since the mid-20th century, tourism and industry have grown rapidly. In the 1970s manufacturing surpassed agriculture in the value of goods produced. Approximately 57 percent of the annual gross state product is now derived from the government and service sectors. Farming and ranching still provide important revenue, especially outside the major urban centers. The mining and forestry industries remain major employers, especially in the northern part of the state.

Agriculture
Agriculture accounts for about 10 percent of the annual gross state product in Idaho. The state has some 21,400 farms, which average 255 hectares (631 acres) in size. The principal agricultural products are potatoes, beef cattle, hay, wheat, milk, barley, and sugar beets. Livestock and livestock products account for over 35 percent of annual agricultural income. Cattle, sheep, and pigs are raised primarily on the southern plain. Idaho typically ranks first nationally in potato production and is usually third as a producer of sugar beets. Most cropland is located in southern Idaho on the fertile Snake River plain. Here, because of the semiarid climate, crops are generally grown under irrigation; more than 1.3 million hectares (more than 3.2 million acres) of Idaho's farmland are irrigated.

Forestry
Forestry is an important industry, especially in the northern part of Idaho. Most of the timber harvested is softwood; Douglas fir, ponderosa pine, white fir, and white pine are the principal commercial species.

Mining
Mining accounts for about 1 percent of the annual gross state product in Idaho. The state usually ranks among U.S. leaders in yearly silver, antimony, vanadium, and garnet production and is among the nation's principal sources of phosphates, lead, gold, and zinc. Copper, molybdenum, and construction materials are also produced. Most silver is mined in northern Idaho; phosphate production is predominantly in the southeast.

Manufacturing
Enterprises engaged in manufacturing account for about 18 percent of the annual gross state product in Idaho and employ some 61,000 workers. Manufacturing is based largely on processing of the state's natural resources and agricultural products. Leading industries are food processing and the manufacturing of lumber and wood products, chemicals (notably fertilizers), nonelectric machinery, and paper goods. Over the last decade, the electronics industry has also established an important foothold in the state's economy. Most of the wood-product industries are located in the northern two-thirds of the state. Most other industrial activities are concentrated in the Boise area or in the larger towns of eastern Idaho.

Tourism
Tourism is one of the fastest growing sectors of Idaho's economy. Each year some 6 million visitors produce more than $600 million for the state economy. Alpine and nordic skiing are possible at many locations, including the world-famous Sun Valley resort. Federal agencies, including the Forest Service, the National Park Service, and the Bureau of Land Management, administer the national forests, wilderness areas, and public lands of Idaho that attract many visitors each year. Idaho maintains a system of 22 state parks.

Transportation
Southern Idaho's transportation network was developed at an early date, since the Snake River valley provided the easiest overland route to the Pacific Northwest. Rugged mountains, deep canyons, and the remoteness of the country made early road construction difficult in other areas, and it was not until the 1930s that the southern plains were first effectively linked with the country north of the Salmon River. Federal, state, and local roads total about 100,490 km (about 62,440 mi); however, few paved roads penetrate the central mountain region. Interstate highways, spanning 985 km (612 mi), are mostly located on the southern plains. Railroads entered the region in the 1870s; today's Class I rail lines operate 3343 km (2077 mi) of track. Idaho has 181 airports, 26 heliports, and four seaplane bases. Lewiston, near Idaho's border with the state of Washington, is a port on the Snake-Columbia River system. Vessels with a maximum draft of 5 m (17 ft) can travel this waterway between the Pacific coast and northern Idaho.

Energy
Electricity generating plants in Idaho have a total capacity of about 2.3 million kilowatts and produce some 8.6 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity each year. Virtually all this energy is derived from hydroelectric sources. Development of the state's ample hydroelectric potential began in the late 19th century. The Snake River in the south and the Pend Oreille River in the north provide most of the major sites for hydroelectric power installations. Also notable is the Dworshak Dam on the North Fork of the Clearwater River.

History
The region occupied by present-day Idaho was originally part of the Oregon Country, a vast tract claimed during the first quarter of the 19th century by the United States, Great Britain, Spain, and Russia. Native American peoples indigenous to the area included the Shoshone, Bannock, Nez Percé, Pend d'Oreille, and Kutenai. The first white explorers of the region were the Americans Meriwether Lewis and William Clark in 1805 and 1806. Fur traders for the British North-West Company entered Idaho in 1809 and constructed a trading post on Lake Pend Oreille. In 1810 the American Missouri Fur Company established a trading post on a branch of the Snake River; the next year John Jacob Astor, head of the American Fur Company, sent an expedition through the Idaho region to the mouth of the Columbia River. The British assumed complete control during the War of 1812, but in 1818 Great Britain and the United States adopted an agreement providing for joint occupation of the region. Spain and Russia relinquished their claims to the Oregon Country in 1819 and 1824, respectively. American trading activity in Idaho was expanded with the construction in 1834 of Fort Hall, near Pocatello.
British and American commercial rivalry in the Oregon Country was resolved in 1846, when Great Britain and the United States concluded a treaty recognizing American jurisdiction over the entire region south of the 49th parallel. Two years later Idaho was made part of the newly organized Oregon Territory; the section north of latitude 46° North was attached to Washington Territory in 1853.
Large-scale immigration to Idaho began in 1861, following the discovery of gold on a tributary of the Clearwater River. On March 4, 1863, the United States government constituted the region consisting of present-day Idaho, Wyoming, and Montana and parts of South Dakota, North Dakota, and Nebraska as Idaho Territory. With the formation of Montana Territory in 1864 and Wyoming Territory in 1868, Idaho acquired its present boundaries.
The territorial economy expanded steadily during the 1870s and 1880s. Livestock raising became a major industry, railroads were constructed, and new, rich mineral deposits were discovered. Between 1870 and 1880 various Native American tribes, resentful of encroachments on their ancestral domains, attacked settlements in Idaho Territory. Federal troops suppressed the uprisings, and the Native Americans were ultimately confined to reservations. On July 3, 1890, Idaho became the 43rd state of the Union.
Already a leading silver state, Idaho began to develop a major commercial lumber industry at this time. Federal irrigation projects turned large desert tracts into arable land, creating an agricultural boom during World War I (1914-1918). During World War II (1939-1945) Idaho produced large quantities of food for the armed services.
Although agriculture has remained central to Idaho's economy, a post-World War II population shift from rural to urban areas reflected Idaho's industrial expansion. In 1951 a nuclear reactor testing station near Idaho Falls generated electricity from atomic power for the first time in history. By the mid-1970s this station had become an important national engineering laboratory under the jurisdiction of the United States Department of Energy.
Meanwhile, because of the popularity of mountain regions such as Sun Valley, Idaho experienced a boom in tourist business that continued into the 1990s and prompted a concentrated effort to develop new vacation sites.