Idaho is the smallest of the eight Rocky Mountain states and 13th among the 50 states in the US with a total area of 83,564 sq mi (216,431 sq km). Shaped like a hatchet, Idaho extends a maximum of 305 mi (491 km) E-W and 479 mi (771 km) N-S. Situated in the northwestern US, Idaho is surrounded by the Canadian province of British Columbia to the North, Montana to the North-East, Wyoming to the East, on the South by Utah and Nevada; and on the West by Oregon and Washington. The state's geographic center is in Custer County, SW of Challis. Idaho was named George M. Willing, who claimed the word came from an Indian term meaning "gem of the mountains."

Idaho boasts of some exhilarating places for attracting tourists all round the year. Not only does it have some stunning, picturesque canyons, parks or lakes it also houses interesting museums and historic towns and cities. The Sun Valley Resort is an interesting one for skiers worldwide. Another important ski resort is the Silver Mountain Resort which is also home to the home to the world's longest single-stage gondola.

Hells Canyon National Recreation Area is one the deepest river gorge in North America and home to the Snake, Salmon and Rapid rivers and also the Clearwater National Forest. Craters of the Moon National Monument and the World Center for Birds of Prey are also important tourist attractions of Idaho.