Idaho on the US Map: Pacific Northwest, Borders, and Regions

Location & Borders

Idaho is a Rocky Mountain / Pacific Northwest state bordered by:

• Montana – east & north (Continental Divide)
• Wyoming – southeast
• Nevada & Utah – south
• Washington & Oregon – west
• British Columbia (Canada) – north (45th parallel)

Coordinates

• Latitude: 42.9351° N – 49.0011° N
• Longitude: 111.0438° W – 117.2341° W

Capital & Major Cities

• Boise (capital, SW) – 235K metro 770K.
• Meridian, Nampa, Idaho Falls, Pocatello, Coeur d'Alene, Twin Falls.

Major Geographic Regions

1. Northern Rocky Mountains: Panhandle & central ID – Selkirks, Cabinet, Bitterroots; deep lakes (Pend Oreille, Coeur d'Alene), whitewater rivers.
2. Snake River Plain: Broad arcuate valley across southern ID – agriculture, INL, Craters of the Moon, Hells Canyon (deepest gorge in NA).
3. Columbia Plateau: North-central – rolling basalt hills, Palouse wheat, forests.
4. Owyhee Mountains: SW corner – high desert, canyons, hot springs, mining history.
5. Great Basin: SE corner – sagebrush steppe, basin-and-range, sparse population.

Climate Gradient

Maritime influence west → continental east; elevation drives local variation. Boise: semi-arid, 4-season; Stanley: subalpine, frost any month.