Idaho |
Idaho — state of USA in the Pacific Northwest in group of Mountain states, 43rd under the account. The area — 216,4 thousand sq. km. The population — 1,2 million persons (2000), about 50 % — in cities. Ethnic structure: Germans - 18.9 %, Englishmen - 18.1 %, Irish - 10 %, "Americans" - 8.4 %, Norwegians - 3.6 %, Swedes - 3.5 %. Capital — Бойси. Large cities are not present.
Official nickname — "Staff-semi-precious stone".
In the north of Idaho British Columbia, in the east — with states Wyoming and Montana, in the west — with Oregon and Washington, in the south — with Utah and Nevada borders on the Canadian province.
The most part of Idaho the southern suburb of the Colombian plateau and Rocky mountains in height to 3857 m. In the southwest — plateau, a valley of the river occupies Snake, staff practically is entirely located in a river basin Colombia. Evergreen woods occupy about two thirds of its territory. On the area national wood заказников Idaho occupies 3 place in the country. A climate continental, softened with the western winds. Staff is rich with minerals (about 64 % of the earths of staff belongs to the federal government): silver (the first place on extraction in the USA), zinc, gold, phosphates, lead. Phosphorites are developed also.
History
The earths Idaho have been occupied more 14 thousand years ago. By XVIII century Indians of 6 tribes here lived: кутенэ, пандорей, кордален, nez-perse in the north; northern шошоны and northern пайюты — in the south.
After Lewis and Clark's expedition in 1805—06 трапперы surveyed these earths in search of colonies of beavers, and the river valley Snake became a place of rivalry of dealers from Canada and Americans. To 1840 region the Company of Hudson bay supervised — it contained some years the posts serving immigrants, going on the West on Oregonsky and Californian tracks.
The USA have received the Oregonsky earths including the earths of modern staff, in 1846. The first constant American settlements are based in 1860 miners and Mormons that has coincided on time with opening of gold deposits and occurrence of Idaho in Territory Washington; the independent Territory of Idaho including modern Montana and all Wyoming, has been proclaimed by the Congress certificate in 1863. When in 1864 and 1868 formation of these territories as independent units has ended, the territory of Idaho has appeared divided by mountains on two parts. Opening of deposits of silver in 1880 and 1884 stabilised its economy.
To 1888 majority of inhabitants of Idaho supported the Republican Party promoting acquisition by territory of the status of staff in 1890. For a year the staff constitution before has been accepted.
Falling of the prices for silver (1888—92) and the panic which has followed it have seriously undermined economy of staff and have led to growth of influence of party of populists and activization of trade-union movement of miners.
The second period of fast development of staff and its formation is connected with approach of XX century as national agricultural centre which has been interrupted by Great depression; staff received the big help of the federal authorities in the New course. In days of the Second World War economy development was promoted appreciably by creation of large military bases and proving ground (National Reactor Testing Station).
Modern problems of staff are in many respects connected with preservation of the environment.
