Boise is the largest city in Idaho. It sits on a high desert plain on the northwestern part of the state and is nestled among the foothills of the Rocky Mountains. Combine that with the flowing Boise River in the center, you get a city that is as rooted with nature as it is modern. Boise is a city filled with opportunities and is known as one of the most livable places in the country. Yet with the city's evolution and growing demands of the economy, Boise still retains its love for nature and its roots.
Boise's roots go back to the times of the gold rush and fur trading days of the 19th century. It was said that it was the French-Canadian fur trappers that gave the city its name after seeing the woods surrounding Boise River and shouting "Les bois! Les bois!" This is French for "the woods," and from here Boise got its name. Boise is still famous for its many trees, thereby the place is also known as the City of Trees.
Gold was discovered in Boise Basin in 1862, and this led to the establishment of Fort Boise the following year to protect travelers in the area from American Indian raids. Fort Boise evolved into a city in a span of a couple of days after its birth. It became a hub for the gold and silver miners in the area. The number of people also increased, because of the gold rush and because of the heavily used Oregon Trail where thousands of travelers had crossed during those times.
Boise's population and popularity went down for a while after the gold rush ebbed away. In the 1870s, however, the city began to flourish again. There were new construction projects to be built --- the territorial prison in 1869, the U.S. Assay Office in 1872, and the capitol building completed in 1886, among others.
The Basque community also added to the growing population of Boise. In the late 1930s, a large number of Basques migrated from the Western Pyrenees Mountains of Spain, bringing with them their lively culture and lifestyle to the city of Boise. They initially wanted to be \come sheepherders. The Basque community has contributed a lot to Boise over the years. Presently, the Basques in Boise still have the largest concentration per capita of Basques outside of the Pyrenees Mountains.
When the Great Depression came round in America, the city of Boise still hung on to growth and development. It was still the center of economic activity in Idaho, and is home to many big and popular companies. Many international, national, and state corporations made their way in Boise. To this day, Boise is still praised as one of the cities that are best for entrepreneurs and businesses.
Despite its growth into commerce, banking, and government, Boise still boasts of its natural and bountiful surroundings. In Boise, one can enjoy outdoor recreations like fishing, hiking, skiing, biking, and camping because of its geographical beauty and natural environment. Even with all the bustle of city life, Boise still manages to keep in touch with its roots.
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