Nevada is a state located in the western United States. The population of the state, as of 2000, is 1,998,257. Nevada is one of the fastest growing states in the country.
Nevada | |
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| Country | United States |
| Admitted to the Union | October 31, 1864 (36th) |
| Capital | Carson City |
| Largest city | Las Vegas |
| Government | |
| • Governor | Kenny Guinn |
| • Upper house | {{{Upperhouse}}} |
| • Lower house | {{{Lowerhouse}}} |
| U.S. senators | {{{Senators}}} |
| Population | |
• Total | 1,998,257 |
| Language | |
| Latitude | 35°N to 42°N |
| Longitude | 114°W to 120°W |
"Nevada" is a Spanish adjective that means "snow-covered". The name derives from the Sierra Nevada in the west of the state. The local pronunciation of the state is not "Ne-vah-da", but should be said so that the middle syllable rhymes with "gamble".
Nevada's nickname is "The Silver State" and the state's motto is "All for our Country". The state song is "Home Means Nevada" by Bertha Rafetto. The phrase "Battle Born" appears on the state flag, a reference to the state's founding date during the American Civil War (although no battles of that war took place within Nevada).
Several United States Navy ships have been named USS Nevada in honor of the state.
History
In 1850, the U.S. Congress established the Utah territory which included the present day states of Utah, Idaho and Nevada. 1859 saw the discovery of the Comstock Lode, a rich outcropping of gold and silver, and Virginia City sprang up. This discovery brought a flood of miners, prospectors, merchants and others hoping to cash in on the wealth.
On March 2, 1861, Nevada separated from the Utah territory and adopted its current name. On October 31st, 1864, Nevada became the 36th state in the union. There is an enduring myth in the state that it was founded in the midst of the American Civil War so that the Union could gain better access to the wealth of its mines. However, the state was actually founded for more complex political and economic reasons, including the moderate Republicans' need for more votes to support the reelection of Abraham Lincoln.
In response to the Great Depression, Nevada legalized gambling on March 17, 1931 in order to stimulate economic growth.
A fictional history (with a great deal of actual fact) is a book with the same name, Nevada, written by Clint McCullough.
Law and Government
Nevada's capital is Carson City and its governor is Kenny Guinn (Republican). Nevada's two U.S. senators are Harry Reid (Democrat) and John Ensign (Republican). See List of Nevada Governors
Due to the tremendous growth of Las Vegas in recent years, there is a noticeable divide between politics of Northern Nevada and Southern Nevada. The north has long maintained control of key positions in the state government even while the Las Vegas area is many times larger than Washoe County. This has fostered resentment on both sides as the north sees the south as a potential bully of majority rule and the south sees the north as the "old guard" trying to rule as an oligarchy. Most observers outside the state are not familiar with this rivalry.
Geography
Nevada has borders with Oregon and Idaho to the north, California to the west, Arizona to the southeast and Utah to the east. The border with Arizona includes the Colorado River.
It is in a mountain region that includes semiarid grasslands and sandy deserts, and is the most arid (dry) state in the nation. Nevada is a land of rugged, snow-capped mountains, grassy valleys and sandy deserts. The northern and central portions of Nevada are mostly within the Great Basin Desert, while portions of the southern tip are within the Mojave Desert. See also list of mountain ranges of Nevada.
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Economy
Nevada's total gross state product for 1999 was $69 billion placing it 32nd in the nation. Its 2000 Per Capita Personal Income was $30,529 or 14th in the nation. Its agricultural outputs are cattle, hay, dairy products, and potatoes. Its industrial outputs are tourism, mining, machinery, printing and publishing, food processing, and electric equipment. It is well-known for gambling and nightlife. Large, luxurious casinos in Las Vegas, Lake Tahoe and Reno attract visitors from around the world.
Nevada is the only state of the US with legal prostitution: brothel prostitution is legal in most counties of Nevada, see prostitution in Nevada.
Demographics
As of the 2000 census, the population of Nevada is 1,711,263. Its population grew 8.4% (132,846) from its 1990 levels. According to the 2000 census, 89.6% (1,533,261) identified themselves as White, 5.5% (94,425) as Hispanic or Latino, 4% (68,541) as black, 1.3% (21,931) as Asian, 0.9% (14,896) as American Indian or Alaska Native, 0.05% (836) as Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander, 2.8% (47,845) as other, and 1.4% (23,953) identified themselves as belonging to two or more races.
6.8% of its population were reported as under 5, 26.3% under 18, and 13.6% were 65 or older. Females made up approximately 50.7% of the population.
Important cities and towns
The largest city is Las Vegas.
State symbols
- State Animal: Desert Bighorn Sheep
- State Artifact: Tule Duck Decoy
- State Bird: Mountain Bluebird
- State Colors: Silver and Blue
- State Fish: Lahontan Cutthroat Trout
- State Flower: Sagebrush
- State Fossil: Ichthyosaur
- State Grass: Indian Ricegrass
- State March: "Silver State Fanfare" by Gerald Wills
- State Metal: Silver (Ag)
- State Precious Gemstone: Virgin Valley black fire opal
- State Semiprecious Gemstone: Nevada turquoise
- State Song: "Home Means Nevada" by Bertha Raffetto
- State Reptile: Desert Tortoise
- State Rock: Sandstone
- State Soil: Orovada series
- State Trees: Single-leaf Piñon and Bristlecone_pine
Education
Colleges and universities
Professional sports teams
External links
- Official web site of Nevada: http://www.state.nv.us
- Nevada State Library and Archives - Why Did Nevada Become a State?: http://dmla.clan.lib.nv.us/docs/nsla/archives/myth/myth12.htm
