Nevada

Nevada, state in western United States in the Rocky Mountain region; bordered by Oregon and Idaho to the north, Utah to the east, Arizona to the southeast, and California to the south and west.

Land and climate

Most of Nevada lies in the Great Basin, a vast desert area. Nevada has 3 main land regions. The Basin and Range region—most of the state—is high, arid plateau broken by many mountain ranges. This region's southeastern corner is a small part of the Mojave Desert. The Columbia Plateau region, in the state's northeastern corner, is an area of deep canyons that flattens into prairie to the north. The Sierra Nevada region, in the state's southwest corner, is rugged, mountainous land. The Humboldt is the state's longest river. Most of Nevada's rivers are small and seasonal. Major lakes are Lakes Mead (created by the construction of Hoover Dam), Tahoe, Pyramid, and Walker. Nevada, which has an arid climate, receives less precipitation than any other state. Average temperatures and rainfall vary, depending on the terrain. Principal cities are Las Vegas and Reno.

Economy

Tourism—to the states's canyons, lakes, ski resorts as well as to its casinos and nightclubs—is Nevada's main source of income. Mining and manufacturing are also important. The most valuable mineral products are gold, diatomite, petroleum, and silver. Chief manufactured products are gaming devices, electronics, chemicals, machinery, processed foods, and stone-clay-glass products. Agriculture accounts for only a small part of the economy. Livestock ranching is the main source of agricultural income. Chief crops are hay, alfalfa, barley, potatoes, and wheat.

Government

Nevada's constitution was adopted in 1864. The governor serves a 4-year term. The state's legislature consists of 21 senators serving 4-year terms and 42 Assembly members serving 2-year terms. In the U.S. Congress, Nevada is represented by 2 senators and 2 representatives.

History

Native Americans were the first inhabitants of what today is Nevada; they lived there more than 20,000 years ago. In 1776, the first Europeans—Spanish explorers—came to the area. In 1848, after the Mexican War, the U.S. acquired the area from Mexico. The first permanent white settlement was established at Mormon Station (now Genoa) by Mormons in 1851. In 1859, the Comstock Lode—one of the world's richest veins of silver ore—was discovered at what today is Virginia City; hundreds of boom towns sprang up. In 1861, the U.S. Congress gave Nevada separate territorial status. During the Civil War, most Nevadans supported the Union. Nevada became the 36th state in 1864. Its economy suffered during the 1870s, when the mines began to give out and the U.S. government adopted the gold standard, limiting the use of silver in its monetary system. During the 1930s, the economy shifted from mining and agriculture to manufacturing and tourism. World War II brought new uses for Nevada's mineral resources. In the 1950s and 1960s, Nevada became a center for testing and research in atomic and nuclear energy. Today, tourism is the mainstay of the economy. The urban centers are struggling with problems caused by increasing populations; air and water pollution are other major concerns.