Nevada

The Silver State Established 1864, 36th State

Climate

Average Seasonal High and Low Temperatures # Spring: 65/36°F # Summer: 90/53°F # Fall: 68/36°F # Winter: 47/22°F

Geography

Nevada is the seventh largest state, with an area of 110,567 square miles (286,369 sq km). The largest geographical region in Nevada is the Great Basin. The Great Basin spans several states. It is shaped like a large bowl and is made up of desert valleys and mountains. Nevada also includes a small part of the Sierra-Cascade Province. The Sierra Nevada mountains stretch from north to south along the lower western corner of the state. More than one hundred mountain ranges spread across Nevada. The state's main rivers are the Humboldt, Truckee, Carson, Colorado, and Walker. Lake Tahoe, on the border with California, and Lake Mead, on the border with Arizona, are popular tourist destinations.

Resources and Economy

Mineral wealth has often played a significant role in the economy of the Silver State, but less so today. Still, Nevada is the leading producer of gold in the United States. Mercury, magnesite, turquoise, and silver are also valuable to the state's economy. However, the most important industry now is tourism. People go to Nevada to gamble and to enjoy the entertainment offered in casinos and nightclubs. In Las Vegas alone, there are around 40 million visitors each year. Tourists also go to resorts and recreation areas. As a result, many Nevadans are employed in service industries such as casinos, restaurants, hotels, and ski resorts. A significant number of people work for the government. Another important part of Nevada's economy is raising livestock (cattle, sheep, and horses). Ranching is concentrated mainly in the northeast. To feed their livestock, farmers grow hay, a leading crop in the state.

Population

2,565,382

Government

Capital:
State Abbreviation: NV
Governor: Jim Gibbons (Republican)
U.S. Senators: 2
John Ensign (Republican)
Harry Reid (Democrat)
U.S. Representatives: 3
    Republicans: 2
    Democrats 1
State Senators: 21
State Representatives: 42
Counties: 16

Fun Facts

* Nevada takes its name from a Spanish word meaning `snow-capped.` * Nevada became a state on October 31st (Halloween) in 1864. * Camels were used as pack animals in Nevada until around 1870. * Las Vegas didn't even exist until the beginning of the 20th century. * Las Vegas has more hotel rooms than any other place in the world. * Nye County is the third largest county (in terms of area) in the United States. * Mark Twain began his writing career as a reporter in Virginia City. * Nevada produces more gold than any other state in the country. * Hoover Dam contains more than 3 million cubic yards of concrete. * Gambling was legalized in Nevada in March 1931. * The federal government owns more than 80 percent of the land in Nevada. Federally-owned land includes mountains, deserts, forests, rangeland, and national parks. * Nevada has just two area codes, one for the majority of the state, and one for the Las Vegas area.