Eastern Idaho is the area of Idaho lying 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. In terms of culture much of the region is in the Mormon Corridor and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints plays a major role in the lives of a majority of the region's residents.
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Demographics
According to the 2010 census the counties of the Eastern Idaho region had a combined population of 365,847. Idaho Falls and Pocatello are the region's largest cities and only metropolitan areas, accounting for the majority of the region's population. Other important cities include Rexburg, Chubbuck and Blackfoot. Americans who are of ethnic English stock form a large plurality in every county in eastern Idaho.
Education
Eastern Idaho is home to several of the state's colleges and universities, including Idaho State University in Pocatello, College of Eastern Idaho 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
Eastern Idaho is generally thought of as an all-season outdoor mecca above all else, with ski resorts Kelly Canyon and Pebble Creek, and extreme proximity to Yellowstone, the Tetons, Jackson, and Grand Targhee in Wyoming, each of which lie near the Idaho border. The area is also renowned in the fly fishing world as well, with travelers coming from afar to fish the Snake River and its branches and tributaries. Island Park, Bear Lake, Heise Hot Springs, and Lava Hot Springs are also regional tourist hotspots.
Cultural events are routinely held at Idaho State University and Brigham Young University-Idaho, and at various venues throughout downtown Idaho Falls. 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. Idaho Falls's Museum of Idaho brings in major national exhibitions each year, including Da Vinci inventions and the famous Bodies exhibit.
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.
Since The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the largest religion in the region, Mormon culture dominates the region, though there are also many Methodists, Baptists, Episcopalians, Roman Catholics, Presbyterians, and Jehovah's Witnesses.
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
Idaho National Laboratory between Idaho Falls and Arco in Butte County is one of the nation's top nuclear research facilities. French nuclear corporation Areva is currently building a uranium enrichment plant west of Idaho Falls as well. Philo Farnsworth, inventor of the cathode ray tube, and considered the primary inventor of television 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 partnership researches solutions to America's continuing energy crisis.
Source of the article : Wikipedia
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