Idaho is located in the northwestern region of the United States, bordering Montana to the northeast, Wyoming to the east, Nevada and Utah to the south, and Washington and Oregon to the west. The state is divided into two distinct regions; the northern region is known as North Idaho while the southern region is referred to as South Idaho. The capital city of Idaho is Boise, located in Ada County in southwestern Idaho.
Idaho covers an area of 83,569 square miles and has a population of 1.75 million people (as of 2019). The state has six major geographical areas; they are: The Rocky Mountains which occupy much of northern Idaho; The Columbia Plateau which covers much of western Idaho; The Great Basin which covers southeastern Idaho; The Snake River Plain which occupies most of southern Idaho; and finally, The Blue Mountains which occupy eastern Idaho.
The highest point in Idaho is Borah Peak at 12,662 feet above sea level while Hells Canyon on Snake River marks its lowest point at 7,993 feet above sea level. Most of the state’s rivers flow northward from their sources in either Montana or Wyoming towards Washington or Oregon. Major rivers include Snake River (which forms much of the border between Oregon and Washington), Clearwater River (which flows through Lewiston), Salmon River (which flows through Salmon) and Payette River (which flows through Boise).
The climate in Idaho can be generally described as semi-arid with hot summers and cold winters. Summer temperatures range from 50°F – 90°F while winter temperatures can drop below 0°F with snowfall occurring in most parts of the state annually.
Idaho has a diverse landscape that includes mountain ranges, vast forests, sweeping plains and arid desert regions. Much of its land area consists of national forests including Nez Perce National Forest, Bitterroot National Forest and Caribou-Targhee National Forest among others. Additionally, there are 11 national parks located within its borders such as Yellowstone National Park (located partially in Wyoming) Craters Of The Moon National Monument & Preserve and City Of Rocks National Reserve among others. This natural beauty combined with its small town charm makes it an ideal destination for outdoor activities such as hiking, camping, skiing, rafting, fishing, hunting, mountain biking etc. With so much to explore you’re sure to find something that will keep you entertained during your stay.
Time Zone of Idaho
The state of Idaho is located in the Mountain Time Zone (MT). This time zone is two hours behind Coordinated Universal Time (UTC-7) and one hour behind Pacific Standard Time (PST). The Mountain Time Zone is the second most populous time zone in the United States. Idaho, along with seven other states, falls into this time zone. These states include Arizona, Colorado, Montana, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming. During Daylight Saving Time (DST), the time zone moves one hour ahead to UTC-6 and two hours ahead of PST.
Idaho observes DST from late March until early November each year. During this period clocks are set one hour forward from standard time. This means that during DST the sun rises an hour later than it would during standard time but sets an hour later as well. This extra hour of daylight in the evenings allows for more outdoor activities after work or school.
The Mountain Time Zone is a great choice for those who want to take advantage of long summer days as well as avoid extreme temperatures during winter months. In addition to having more daylight in the summer months, temperatures during winter months tend to be milder than other regions due to its location in the Rocky Mountains. The warmest months are typically June through August while December through February are usually colder months with snowfall possible in some areas of Idaho.
Top 5 Cities in Idaho
According to countryaah, the state of Idaho is home to many cities and towns, each offering its own unique culture and attractions. The top five cities in Idaho are Boise, Meridian, Nampa, Caldwell, and Coeur d’Alene.
Boise is the capital of Idaho and the most populous city in the state. It is located in the southwestern corner of the state at an elevation of 2,704 feet above sea level. Boise is known for its natural beauty and outdoor recreational activities such as hiking, mountain biking, skiing, snowboarding and kayaking. It also has a vibrant arts scene with many galleries and museums to explore.
Meridian is a city located just west of Boise in Ada County. It was founded in 1891 by settlers from Oregon seeking to create a utopian society based on religious ideals. Today, it is a bustling city with over 90 thousand citizens that offers an array of amenities including entertainment venues like movie theaters and bowling alleys as well as shopping centers like The Village at Meridian.
Nampa is located about 20 miles west of Boise in Canyon County. It has grown significantly since its founding in 1885 due to its close proximity to many agricultural centers such as dairy farms and potato fields. Nampa offers plenty of shopping options including several large malls along with numerous restaurants serving up traditional comfort foods like burgers or Mexican fare.
Caldwell lies about 30 miles west of Boise in Canyon County along the banks of the Snake River. It was established by settlers from Missouri seeking religious freedom during the mid-19th century gold rush era and today it’s known for its historic downtown area filled with quaint shops and coffee houses as well as several annual festivals celebrating local history and culture such as Caldwell Night Rodeo or Indian Creek Festival Days.
Coeur d’Alene sits on Lake Coeur d’Alene near the Washington border in northern Idaho’s Kootenai County. This picturesque lakeside town offers plenty to do from boating on the lake during summer months to skiing at nearby resorts during winter months or enjoying one of its many parks year-round like McEuen Park which features an outdoor amphitheater or Tubbs Hill Nature Preserve which overlooks Lake Coeur d’Alene from atop a mountain ridge providing breathtaking views all year round.
Zip Codes in Idaho
According to 800ZipCodes, there are over 200 zip codes in the state of Idaho. These zip codes range from 83301 to 83999 and cover all 44 counties in the state. Each zip code is assigned to a particular area within the state, with cities and towns usually having their own unique zip code. The largest city in Idaho, Boise, has multiple zip codes depending on which part of the city it is located in. Generally speaking, all of the major metropolitan areas in Idaho have multiple zip codes associated with them.
