Boise: The City of Trees
Imagine a place where a sparkling river winds through a bustling downtown, and where you can go from a modern skyscraper to a mountain trail in just a few minutes. Welcome to Boise, the capital city of Idaho! Known as the "City of Trees," Boise is a unique place where nature and city life blend together. Located in southwestern Idaho, this vibrant city has a rich history, a lively culture, and plenty of outdoor adventures.
To understand Boise, you have to start with its name. In the early 1800s, French-Canadian fur trappers traveled through the dry, dusty high desert of Idaho. When they finally reached the overlook of the river valley, they were amazed by the lush forest of cottonwood trees. Legend says they cried out, "Les bois! Les bois!" which means "The woods! The woods!" in French. When pioneers and gold miners settled the area in the 1860s, they kept the name, spelling it "Boise" (pronounced boy-see). The city quickly grew as a trading hub and officially became Idaho's capital in 1864.
- Geothermal:
- Relating to or using the natural heat produced inside the Earth.
- Pioneer:
- One of the first people to travel to and settle in a new, unfamiliar area.
- Lush:
- Growing thick, healthy, and green, especially in reference to plants and trees.
- Heritage:
- The traditions, achievements, and beliefs that are part of the history of a group or nation.
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- 1What does the French phrase 'Les bois!' mean, and who first cried it out according to legend?
- 2In what year did Boise officially become the capital city of Idaho?
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About this explanatory article passage for Upper Elementary
âBoise: The City of Treesâ is a explanatory article reading passage about Boise, Idaho, written for Upper Elementary. It takes about 3 minutes to read (502 words) and comes with an interactive quiz and a printable worksheet with comprehension questions and an answer key.