The Inland Empire: A region defined by shifting borders and diverse climates
In short: The Inland Northwest is more than a geographic location; it is a contested identity. From the arid Columbia Plateau to the lush temperate rainforests of the North Central Rockies, this region balances industrial mining heritage with some of the nation's most productive agricultural lands.
The term 'Inland Empire' first appeared in print on May 19, 1883, in the Spokane Falls Review. While the region is primarily centered on the Greater Spokane area, encompassing eastern Washington and northern Idaho, its boundaries are often debated. Stricter definitions might exclude Central Washington and Idaho County, while broader interpretations can pull in Northeastern Oregon and Western Montana.
Historically, the region has been a subject of political ambition. In the mid-to-late 1860s, a proposal sought to create a 'Columbia Territory' centered on Lewiston. By 1901, another plan aimed to merge the Idaho Panhandle with Eastern Washington to form the 'State of Lincoln.' A third popular movement in the late 1920s proposed a region extending to the Continental Divide.
Geographically, the area is a study in contrasts. It is bounded by the Cascade Mountains to the west and the Rocky Mountains to the east. The landscape shifts from the semi-arid steppe of the Columbia Plateau—made productive by the Columbia Basin Project—to the 'North American inland temperate rainforest' in northern Idaho. This diversity supports a massive agricultural economy, including the Palouse's wheat and lentils, and the Yakima Valley, which serves as the nation's leading grower of hops.
Demographically, the region is substantial. As of 2016, the combined population of eastern Washington and northern Idaho was estimated at 2,240,645, a figure comparable to the state of New Mexico. The region's urban core is anchored by the Spokane-Coeur d'Alene conurbation, which ranks as the 70th largest combined statistical area in the United States.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Inland Northwest
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