Idaho
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Idaho is a state in the Pacific Northwest region of the Western United States. To the north, it shares a small portion of the Canadian border with the province of British Columbia. It borders the state of Montana and Wyoming to the east, Nevada and Utah to the south, and Washington and Oregon to the west. The state's capital and largest city is Boise. With an area of 83,570 square miles (216,400 km2), Idaho is the 14th largest state by land area. Still, with a population of approximately 1.8 million, it ranks as the 13th least populous and the 7th least densely populated of the 50 U.S. states.
For thousands of years, before European colonization, Idaho has been inhabited by native peoples. In the early 19th century, Idaho was considered part of the Oregon Country, an area of dispute between the U.S. and the British Empire. It officially became U.S. territory after the Oregon Treaty of 1846 was signed. Still, a separate Idaho Territory was not organized until 1863; it was included for periods in Oregon Territory and Washington Territory. Idaho was eventually admitted to the Union on July 3, 1890, becoming the 43rd state.
Forming part of the Pacific Northwest (and the associated Cascadia bioregion), Idaho is divided into several distinct geographic and climatic regions. The state's north, the relatively isolated Idaho Panhandle, is closely linked with Eastern Washington, with which it shares the Pacific Time Zone—the rest of the state uses the Mountain Time Zone. The state's south includes the Snake River Plain (which has most of the population and agricultural land). The state's southeast incorporates part of the Great Basin. Idaho is quite mountainous and contains several stretches of the Rocky Mountains. The United States Forest Service holds about 38% of Idaho's land, the highest proportion of any state.
Industries significant for the state economy include manufacturing, agriculture, mining, forestry, and tourism. Several science and technology firms are either headquartered in Idaho or have factories there, and the state also contains the Idaho National Laboratory, which is the country's largest Department of Energy facility. Idaho's agricultural sector supplies many products, but the state is best known for its potato crop, which comprises around one-third of the nationwide yield. The official state nickname is the "Gem State", a figurative expression referencing Idaho's natural beauty.
Etymology
The name's origin remains a mystery. In the early 1860s, when the U.S. Congress was considering organizing a new territory in the Rocky Mountains, the name "Idaho" was suggested by George M. Willing, a politician posing as an unrecognized delegate from the unofficial Jefferson Territory. Willing claimed that the name was derived from a Shoshone term meaning "the sun comes from the mountains" or "gem of the mountains", but it was revealed later that there was no such term and Willing claimed that he had been inspired to coin the name when he met a little girl named Ida. Since the name appeared fabricated, the U.S. Congress ultimately decided to name the area Colorado Territory instead when it was created in February 1861. Still, by the time this decision was made, the town of Idaho Springs, Colorado, had already been named after Willing's proposal.
The same year Congress created Colorado Territory, Idaho County in eastern Washington Territory was created. The county was named after a steamship named Idaho, which was launched on the Columbia River in 1860. It is unclear whether the steamship was named before or after Willing's claim was revealed. Regardless, part of Washington Territory, including Idaho County, was used to create Idaho Territory in 1863. Idaho Territory would later change its boundaries to the area that became the U.S. state.
Sexual attitudes in Idaho
Sexual attitudes in Idaho are influenced by conservative policies, evolving public opinion, and notable public health concerns. Here's an overview:
Sex Education Policies
- No Statewide Mandate: Idaho does not require sex or HIV/AIDS education in schools. If provided, the curriculum must emphasize the importance of family, home, and church.
- Parental Consent: Legislation such as HB 249 requires parents to "opt-in" their children for any discussions on sexuality, sexual orientation, and gender identity.
- Content Restrictions: Instruction on human sexuality, sexual orientation, or gender identity is prohibited before the fifth grade.
Public Opinion
- LGBTQ+ Rights: Support for LGBTQ+ rights has been increasing. A 2022 PRRI poll found that 64% of Idaho residents supported same-sex marriage, and 80% supported non-discrimination protections for LGBTQ+ individuals.
- Abortion: Public opinion is divided, with 51% identifying as anti-choice, including 12% who believe all abortion should be illegal.
Planned Parenthood Action Fund
Public Health Trends
- STI Rates: Idaho's chlamydia rate was 294.9 cases per 100,000 people in 2023, ranking 46th nationally.
- Youth Sexual Behavior: The percentage of Idaho students who have had sexual intercourse decreased from 39.0% in 2009 to 32.0% in 2019.
Conclusion
Idaho's sexual attitudes reflect a conservative approach in educational policies, with increasing public support for LGBTQ+ rights. Public health data indicates a need for comprehensive sexual education to address STI rates and promote informed decision-making among youth.
History of the Idaho Flag
The Idaho State Flag features a dark blue background with a simplified version of the Idaho State Seal emblazoned in the center. Underneath the seal is a red and gold banner with bold gold text, "State of Idaho." The seal features a woman on the left-hand side, with a male figure on the right-hand side. The woman is holding scales, representing the "scales of justice," and a spear with a "liberty" cap, while the male figure is a miner holding a shovel and a pickaxe with pieces of ore around his feet. The miner is dressed in the typical grey-brown attire of a miner at the time. Emma Edwards Green designed the seal in 1890 who is the only female to create a US State seal. The design reflects the state of Idaho at the time, where the predominant industry was mining, and Green's predictions about Idaho's future are based on her interviews with prominent politicians who predicted that women would have the right to vote in the future. Green positioned the woman next to the man to represent female equality with men. A shield separates the two figures, uniting to protect the state. The large tree in the shield signifies the trees that grow in Idaho, while the man plowing in the shield and the sheaf of grain and cornucopias below the shield reference Idaho's agriculture. An elk head is featured above the shield, signifying the importance of elk and moose, which were protected species in the state. The phrase, "Esto Perpetua," appears in a banner above the elk head and translates to, "May It Endure," representing the state's hope of lasting for a long time. The Idaho State Flag was adopted on November 2nd, 1957.
Idaho is a state in the Northwestern region of the United States and shares borders with Montana, Wyoming, Nevada, Utah, Washington, and Oregon. It also shares a Canadian border with British Columbia. Boise, located in southwestern Idaho, is the state's Capital and most populous city. Idaho is called "The Gem State" due to its rich resources.
Idaho has been inhabited for approximately 14,000 years, with the first residents being Native American Tribes, which included Nez Perce, Coeur d'Alene, and Shoshone. Idaho was one of the last states to be explored by Europeans, and the first Europeans to arrive in the area were the British explorers Lewis and Clark, who arrived on August 12th, 1805, on their way to the Pacific Ocean. Shortly after their visit, fur traders began to arrive in the area as well as other traders, farmers, and miners. The first establishment was "Franklin," which was established in 1860 by the Mormons. In 1846, the Oregon Treaty between the United States and Britain made Idaho a part of the United States. In 1848, Idaho joined the Oregon Territory until 1853, when Idaho was incorporated into the Washington Territory. In 1863, Idaho became its own territory and on July 3rd, 1890, Idaho officially became the 43rd US state.
External links
- Wikipedia article: Idaho
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