Idaho--The Gem State Trivia Quiz

Answer: Boise

Boise has been Idaho's capital since 1864.

Answer: True

It is believed to mean "gem of the mountains" or "it is sun up". It is possibly not an Indian word, but Joaquin Miller may have written about a Shoshone exclamation "E-dah-how" in newspaper articles from the 1860s. Some historians believe a member of Congress made up an Indian-sounding word for the territory. Others credit a steamboat operator with inventing the name.

Answer: True

This is Latin for "Let it be perpetual".

Answer: Mountain bluebird

The mountain bluebird has bright blue feathers and is about seven inches long. It was selected as the state bird in 1931.

Answer: Western white pine

The wood of the white pine has a straight grain and a soft, even texture. It provides wonderful shade and has been the state tree since 1935.

Answer: White syringa

The beautiful white syringa is also called mock orange. Its shrub has short, leafy branches with clusters of white blossoms with four petals. It was made the state flower in 1931.

Answer: Cutthroat trout

The name for the cutthroat trout is named because of the the red slashes under its jaw. It was chosen as the state fish in 1990.

Answer: Star garnet

The "star" in the garnet has four rays and seems to float on the surface of the stone. Sometimes, a stone is found with six rays. Star garnets are usually dark purple or plum-colored and became the state the state gem in 1967.

Answer: False

The state horse is the Appaloosa, a horse bred by the Nez Perce Indians. They are recognized by their solid color everywhere except for the rump, which is spotted. The legislature made it the state horse in 1975.

Answer: "Here We Have Idaho"

The state song was written by McKinley Helm, Albert J. Tompkins, and Sallie Hume-Douglas. It was orginally called "Our Idaho", but the title was changed when it became the state song in 1931.

Answer: Custer

The geographic center is in Custer, southwest of Challis.

Answer: Borah Peak

Borah Peak, also called Mount Borah, is just north of Mackay. It is 12,662 feet high.

Answer: 44

Three elected commissioners conduct each different county's buisness.

Answer: Idahoan

Some famous Idahoans include Lana Turner and Mariel Hemingway.

Answer: False

Boise is the largest with a population of 125,738 (1990 census), Pocatello is second, and Idaho Falls is third. Other of Idaho's largest towns are Nampa, Lewiston, and Twin Falls.