Named "one of the top ten places to live," "jewel of the west," a "great place to do business," an "oasis for retirees" and a "number one mountain biking town" by an assortment of national publications, Boise is emerging as one of the West's most vibrant cities.

With its roots in the 1862 Boise Basin gold rush and as a stopping place for pioneers on the Oregon Trail, today, Boise is the state capital and home to Boise State University as well as many large regional, national and international companies that include Simplot Corporation, Boise Cascade, Micron Technology and Hewlett-Packard. For its size, Boise's population is amazingly diverse with Chinese, African-Americans and Basque cultures all playing a significant role in the city's history.

Situated on the Boise River and nestled against the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, the moderate climate of Idaho's largest city averages an annual temperature of 72 degrees. Winters in town are mild, but less than 20 miles away is Bogus Basin Ski Resort with Sun Valley further north. Boise's city park system is nationally recognized for offering almost 30 miles of continuous greenbelt hiking and running trails with a vast system of trails just outside of town.

Downtown Boise has grown into a vibrant and lively place that is the heart of Idaho politics and arts. Built around the greenbelt, State Capitol Building and Boise State University are an outstanding assortment of restaurants, venues for performance and several distinct shopping areas with public art dotting the landscape. Downtown's Julia Davis Park is also home to some of the city's top museums and Zoo Boise.