1430 UNITED STATES (Idaho) - Idaho map

Bordered by the Canadian province of British Columbia to the north, Montana to the northeast, Wyoming to the east, Nevada and Utah to the south, and Washington and Oregon to the west, Idaho is a mountainous state with an area larger than that of all of New England. The landscape is rugged (snow-capped mountain ranges, rapids, vast lakes and steep canyons) with some of the largest unspoiled natural areas in the US (the Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness Area is the largest contiguous area of protected wilderness in the continental US). Its highest point is Borah Peak (3,859m), and Shoshone Falls plunges down rugged cliffs from a height greater than that of Niagara Falls.

Before the arrival of the first europeans (French-Canadian trappers), the area was inhabited by the  Nez Percé and Western Shoshone. As part of the Oregon Country, it was claimed by the United States and Great Britain, until US gained jurisdiction in 1846. When Oregon became a state, what is now Idaho was in what remained of the original Oregon Territory not part of the new state, and designated as the Washington Territory. Between then and the creation of the Idaho Territory in 1863, parts of the present-day state were included in the Oregon, Washington, and Dakota Territories. The first permanent, substantial incorporated community was Lewiston in 1861. Idaho achieved statehood in 1890 and was admitted to the Union in the same year, as the 43rd state.

The economy of the state had been primarily supported by metal mining, agriculture and forest products, but in recent years, Idaho has expanded its commercial base to include science and technology industries, which become the largest single economic center within the state and are greater than agriculture, forestry and mining combined. It is quite sparsely populated (1,634,464 inhabitants in 2014, on an area only slightly smaller than the Great Britain, for example), despite the fact that was the third fastest-growing state from 2004 to 2005. The overwhelming majority of the population consists of White American (89.1% in present, decreasing compared with 98.1% in 1970), about a quarter of them being Mormons. The capital and most populous city of Idaho is Boise, actually the only city in the state with more than 100,000 inhabitants

Idaho's nickname is the Gem State, because nearly every known type of gemstone has been found there. In addition, it is one of only two places in the world where star garnets can be found in any significant quantities (the other being India). It is sometimes called the Potato State owing to its popular and widely distributed crop. The flag of the state consists of the state seal on a field of blue. The seal depicts a miner and a woman representing equality, liberty and justice. The symbols on the seal represent some of Idaho’s natural resources: mines, forests, farmland, and wildlife. Its motto is Esto Perpetua (Latin for "Let it be forever"), its Bird - Mountain Bluebird and its flower - Syringa (Philadelphus lewisii).

About the stamps
The first stamp, depicting the Great Spangled Fritillary butterfly, is the fourth butterfly stamp for use on large greeting card envelopes from a set about which I wrote here. The stamp art was created on a computer, using images of preserved butterflies as a starting point. Nationally known artist Tom Engeman worked with art director Derry Noyes on this design.

The Great spangled fritillary (Speyeria cybele) is named for the silvery spots found on the undersides of its wings. A large butterfly with a wingspan of 2.25 to 4 inches, it is found in all northern states. All great spangled fritillaries have one thing in common: a very close relationship with violets. Females lay their eggs on or near clumps of violets in August or September. When the eggs hatch, the larvae crawl to nearby violet plants and hide among fallen leaves and hibernates. When spring arrives, the caterpillars come out of hibernation and feed on fresh violet leaves.

The second stamp is part of the Legends of Hollywood series, started in 1995, about which I wrote here. It honors Audrey Hepburn (1929-1993), a British actress and humanitarian, recognised as a film and fashion icon. She was ranked by the American Film Institute as the third greatest female screen legend in the history of American cinema and has been placed in the International Best Dressed List Hall of Fame. She is also regarded by some to be the most naturally beautiful woman of all time. She was five-times nominated for an Academy Award and was awarded the 1954 Academy Award for Best Actress for her performance in Roman Holiday

References
Idaho - Wikipedia

Sender: Denise 
Sent from Greenvale (New York / United States), on 29.12.2014