Idaho is one of the states in the Pacific Northwest region of America, located between Washington and Wyoming. The capital city of Idaho is Boise, which lies near the center of the state on the Boise River. 

Although it was originally claimed by several other countries such as Spain and France, it became part of the United States in 1846 as part of the Oregon Territory. If you want to know more about Idaho, here are some fun facts about this region so you can get a better idea of where it is.

Ultimately, Idaho is in the Inland Northwest of the United States. It borders many of the other states in the area, and even has a small border with Canada. It has a wide range of climate, and ranges from having large cities, to small towns.

Geographical Location

You may not have known, but Idaho sits smack dab in between Nevada, Montana Oregon, Washington, Wyoming, and Utah with the border of Canada to the north. Despite its geographic location, it has more in common with Oregon than it does any other state on its side of the Rocky Mountains. 

Like Oregon, it’s filled with wide-open spaces and a lot of trees! And if you like skiing in the wintertime, Boise sits right at home next to Bend. With its slopes in Sun Valley and excellent proximity to Portland OR and Seattle WA, it’s no wonder that there are so many skiers migrating here during their off-season. 

Let’s be honest though… don’t forget that summertime rocks here too! In fact, many people think that Boise has some of America’s best weather. It doesn’t get as hot as it does in Las Vegas or Phoenix, and it certainly doesn’t get as cold as in Montana. 

Major Cities in Idaho

Boise and Meridian are two major cities in Idaho. Both have populations over 100,000. In addition to these big cities, there are many smaller towns spread throughout Idaho which help to define its unique culture. 

These include cities like Burley, Twin Falls, Pocatello, and Rexburg. Although these smaller towns are quite a distance from Boise or Pocatello, they all share similar characteristics which help to define what it means to be an Idahoan. 

Idaho’s Largest Cities: 

The state’s largest city is Boise with over 225,000 residents while its second-largest city Meridian has just over 100,000 people living there. 

Idaho’s Smallest Cities: 

The smallest cities in Idaho are all under 5,000 people. These include places like Filer and Rigby which have a population of 2,804 and 4,117, respectively. There are also many towns in Idaho that have less than 1,000 residents but still have their own unique culture and history to explore.

Climate in Idaho

The climate in Idaho is diverse and varies dramatically depending on elevation. Average summer temperatures in Boise range from 82-85 degrees Fahrenheit (28-29 degrees Celsius) but can easily exceed 100 degrees Fahrenheit (38 degrees Celsius). In winter, low temperatures can drop to as low as -30 degrees Fahrenheit (-34 degrees Celcius) in mountain towns like Stanley. 

You’ll find some of America’s most extreme seasonal temperature differences in northern Idaho and eastern Washington. A 30-degree difference between average January high and low temperatures isn’t uncommon; how crazy is that? 

Compare that to around 10 degrees or less in Florida! 

Can You Drive to Canada From Idaho?

The U.S. state of Idaho is not too far from Canada. The tip of Idaho is about 30 miles from British Columbia, Canada, making it a stone’s throw away from its northern neighbor. 

Because of its proximity to Canada, many people want to know if they can drive from Idaho to Canada. The answer depends on where in Idaho you’re starting from. 

From Boise, it would take you about 10 hours to reach the Canadian border , and from Coeur d’Alene, Idaho it would take you about 2 and a half hours to cross the border.

Facts about Idaho

The U.S. state of Idaho is located in both mountain and desert areas. The Palouse Hills are a moderate, rolling range that runs through eastern Washington, northern Idaho, and parts of western Montana. 

Their elevation varies from 3,000 to 6,500 feet above sea level. Plains also cover portions of north-central Washington and east-central Oregon in addition to scattered islands throughout Nevada and Oregon’s Harney Basin as well as parts of California’s Modoc Plateau. 

The Snake River Plain makes up more than 40 percent of eastern Washington while southern Idaho has an area called Hell’s Canyon which is one of North America’s deepest canyons – 8,000 feet deep in some places!

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Idaho in US West or East?

Idaho is a state in the western United States. Idaho is divided into two regions: the Idaho Panhandle and southern Idaho. The Idaho Panhandle is a region of Idaho that includes the northernmost portion of the state.

Is Idaho in the south or north ?

Idaho is located in the northern portion of the United States. It is so north, that only Canada borders the top portion of the state. While other states like Maine are technically higher than Idaho, you won’t get much more north than this state.

Is Idaho in the Midwest?

Idaho is not in the Midwest portion of the United States. It is instead considered part of the Northwest, more specifically the Inland Northwest (as it is not bording the ocean.

Conclusion

Idaho is a state located in the Western region of the United States of America. Idaho is bordered by Montana to the east, Wyoming to the east and south, Utah to the south, and Nevada and Oregon to the west. Idaho also shares a border with the Canadian province of British Columbia to the north. The state’s capital and largest city is Boise.

Idaho is divided into two time zones, with the majority of the state observing Mountain Time and the southern Idaho panhandle observing Pacific Time. Idaho is home to a variety of landscapes, from its mountainous regions to its plains and desert areas.