State of Idaho
Nicknames: The Gem State
Motto(s): Esto perpetua (Let it be perpetual)
Date of Statehood: July 3, 1890 (43rd state)
State Song: “Here We Have Idaho”
Idaho Flag History
The flag of Idaho, officially adopted on November 2, 1957, holds significant historical symbolism and state pride. The flag features the state seal centered on a field of deep blue. The seal, designed by Emma Edwards Green, the only woman to design a state seal, embodies the state’s natural resources and its commitment to freedom and equality.
The woman in the seal represents liberty, justice, and equality, while the miner represents the state’s mining industry. The images of agriculture and wildlife highlight Idaho’s natural wealth and beauty, and the state motto, Esto perpetua, meaning “Let it be perpetual,” is featured as a banner below the seal.
The flag’s blue field symbolizes loyalty, justice, and perseverance, mirroring the state’s landscape and the character of its people. Despite its simplicity, the Idaho flag captures the essence of the state’s history, its economic foundations, and the spirit of its people. The flag has become a symbol of Idaho’s rich natural beauty, its vibrant culture, and its ongoing commitment to progress and liberty.
Idaho Quick Facts
Capital City: Boise
Abbreviation: ID
Population: Approximately 1.8 million
Region: West, Pacific Northwest
Origin of State Name: Invented name with no definitive meaning, possibly derived from a Shoshone term meaning “the sun comes from the mountains” or “gem of the mountains”
Sports Teams: No major professional sports teams, significant presence in college sports
Bordering States: Montana, Wyoming, Utah, Nevada, Oregon, Washington, and the Canadian province of British Columbia
Area Codes: 208, 986
Highest Point: Borah Peak at 12,668 feet (3,861 meters)
Lowest Point: Snake River at 710 feet (216 meters)
Geography of Idaho
Area: 83,569 square miles (216,443 square kilometers), 14th largest
Land: 82,643 square miles (214,045 square kilometers), 11th largest
Water: 926 square miles (2,398 square kilometers), 39th largest
Coastline: None (landlocked state)
Shoreline: None (landlocked state)
Largest Cities:
- Boise
- Meridian
- Nampa
- Idaho Falls
- Pocatello
- Caldwell
- Coeur d’Alene
- Twin Falls
- Post Falls
- Lewiston
- Rexburg
- Eagle
- Moscow
- Kuna
- Ammon
National Parks:
- Yellowstone National Park (partly in Idaho, mostly in Wyoming)
- Craters of the Moon National Monument & Preserve
- Hagerman Fossil Beds National Monument
- Nez Perce National Historical Park
Idaho State Symbols
Living Insignia
State Bird: Mountain Bluebird
State Animal: Appaloosa horse
State Amphibian: Idaho Giant Salamander
State Butterfly: None
State Fish: Cutthroat Trout
State Flower: Syringa
State Horse Breed: Appaloosa
State Insect: Monarch Butterfly
State Mammal: Appaloosa horse
State Reptile: None
Inanimate Insignia
State Fruit: Huckleberry
State Gemstone: Star Garnet
State Soil: Threebear
State Tree: Western White Pine
State Quarter: Issued in 2007 featuring the Peregrine Falcon, state outline, and the state motto
State Beverage: None
State Colors: None official
State Dance: Square Dance
State Food: Potatoes
State Fossil: Hagerman Horse Fossil
State Mineral: Garnet
State Rock: None