Absolute Location of Idaho: Coordinates & Context
Idaho's absolute location is defined by its latitude and longitude boundaries:
- Latitude: 42°00′ N (southern border with Utah/Nevada) to 49°00′ N (northern border with Canada)
- Longitude: 111°03′ W (western border with Washington/Oregon) to 117°15′ W (eastern border with Montana/Wyoming)
Key Reference Points
| Feature | Coordinates | Notes |
|---|
| State Centroid | ~44.3° N, 114.7° W | Near Stanley, Sawtooth Mtns |
| Boise (Capital) | 43.6150° N, 116.2023° W | Treasure Valley |
| Northernmost Point | 49.0000° N, 116.0500° W | Boundary Peak, Selkirks (Canada border) |
| Southernmost Point | 41.9880° N, 114.0417° W | Goose Creek triangulation (UT/NV/ID) |
| Westernmost Point | 44.5833° N, 117.2417° W | Snake River, Hells Canyon (OR border) |
| Easternmost Point | 43.4500° N, 111.0500° W | Yellowstone NP boundary (WY/MT) |
Geodetic Context
- Datum: NAD83 (North American Datum 1983)
- Time Zones: Pacific (UTC-8/UTC-7) north of Salmon River; Mountain (UTC-7/UTC-6) south – one of 13 split-timezone states
- PLSS Base: Boise Meridian (1867) – surveys reference Initial Point (43°22′21″N, 116°23′35″W)
Relative Location
- Pacific Northwest / Intermountain West
- Borders: WA, OR, NV, UT, WY, MT, Canada (BC)
- No ocean coastline (but navigable to Pacific via Snake→Columbia)
Coordinates place Idaho squarely in the North American Cordillera—the spine of the continent.
Wanderlust World