Eastern Idaho
Eastern Idaho is a generic term used to describe areas of Idaho which lie east of the Magic Valley region. It is generally understood to include: Bannock, Bear Lake, Bingham, Bonneville, Butte, Caribou, Clark, Custer, Franklin, Fremont, Jefferson, Madison, Oneida, Power and Teton Counties.
Demographics
According to the 2000 census the counties of the Eastern Idaho region had a combined population of 301,991. With nearly identical populations according to 2003 census estimates, Pocatello and Idaho Falls are the region's largest cities, accounting for approximately one-third of the total population. Other important cities include Blackfoot and Rexburg.
Education
Eastern Idaho is home to several of the state's colleges and universities, including Idaho State University in Pocatello, Eastern Idaho Technical College in Idaho Falls and Brigham Young University-Idaho in Rexburg. The Center for Higher Education provides outreach degree programs for Idaho State University and the University of Idaho at University Place in Idaho Falls. Most of the region's cities and towns support separate public school districts.
Culture
Cultural events are routinely held at Idaho State University and Brigham Young University-Idaho. Idaho State University's 123,000-square-foot (11,400 m2) L.E. and Thelma E Stephens Performing Arts Center contains state-of-the-art performance space. The facility's Jensen Grand Concert Hall contains more than 500 fiberglass-reinforced gypsum panels which allow the concert hall to be computer-tuned. Two ceiling canopies allow the acoustics of the hall to be computer-adjusted, making the center a hit with both performers and their audiences.
The Eastern Idaho State Fair is held every September in Blackfoot. The 2004 independent film Napoleon Dynamite was set in and filmed on location in Preston in Cache Valley.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the largest religion in the region. In many parts of the region a majority of the population belong to the LDS Church resulting in over-crowded public schools and higher than national average property taxes due to the significantly above average number of children LDS families are encouraged to have by Mormon church leaders[citation needed]. In 2008 the overall Idaho public school system was nationally ranked at 35th out of 52 states and territories.
Agriculture
The Eastern Idaho region grows most of Idaho's potato crop, making it one of the world's most productive potato-growing areas. Barley for beer production is also significant. Several major breweries, including Coors, Anheuser-Busch and Mexico's Grupo Modelo have barley producing operations in the area. Sugar beets, alfalfa and wheat are also major crops. There are also many cattle ranches for raising beef.
Technology
The Idaho National Laboratory near Arco in Butte County is one of the nation's top nuclear research facilities. Philo Farnsworth, inventor of the cathode ray tube, grew up in Rigby. ON Semiconductor (formerly AMIS) of Pocatello is a computer chip manufacturer. Idaho State University in Pocatello is home to the Idaho Accelerator Center. The center contains 10 operating accelerators used in research done through the University, national laboratories such as INL, and the private sector. Idaho State University operates the Center For Advanced Energy Studies at University Place in Idaho Falls. This public-private parternership researches solutions to America's continuing energy crisis.
See also
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