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Idaho is a state in the Pacific Northwest of the United States. It is bordered by Montana and Wyoming on the east and by Washington and Oregon on the west. The state's capital and largest city is Boise. Idaho is nicknamed the Gem State because of its abundance of natural resources. Southern Idaho, including the Boise metropolitan area, Idaho Falls, Pocatello, and Twin Falls are in the Mountain Time Zone. Areas north of the Salmon River, including Coeur d'Alene, Moscow, and Lewiston, are in the Pacific Time Zone.
Idaho covers 83,574 square miles, making it the 14th largest of the 50 states. Of those miles, 82,751 miles are land areas and 823 square miles are covered by water. With 80 recognized mountain ranges, Idaho is home to some of the most spectacular scenery and most rugged landscapes in the United States. Dominated by the Rocky Mountains, Idaho's Shoshone Falls on the Snake River, drops 212 feet making it higher than Niagara Falls. Hells Canyon, also on the Snake River, is a gorge that is deeper than the Grand Canyon.
Idaho’s climate is diverse. It is influenced by Pacific weather patterns, which help moderate temperature extremes. Generally, the northern part of the state has greater precipitation than either southwestern or southeastern Idaho. The southern part of the state has warmer summer temperatures than the north and is drier throughout the year. Southeastern Idaho, however, tends to be cooler than the west and drier than the north.
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