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NEVADA
Nevada is a Spanish word meaning; "snowcapped". Nevada's known history
dates back in the 1820s when trappers and traders entered Nevada. Two decades
later, two men by the name of, John C. Fremont and Kit Carson explored the
Great Basin and Sierra Nevada in 1843-1845. Following the Mexican War in
1848, the U.S. obtained the region and the first settlement was a Mormon
trading Post. Then on October 31, 1864, Nevada became the 36th State to
join the Union.
5,500ft. above sea level, Nevada is the driest state in the nation, with
an average rainfall of approximately 7 inches per year and receives about
40 inches of snow each year with the driest areas receiving about 4 inches
each year. The highest elevation is Boundery peak with 13,140ft. and the
lowest elevation is the Colorado river at 479ft. Having a total area of
110,566.91, it ranks 7th largest against other states. Most of the 109,805.89
land area is uninhabited and mostly sagebrush covered desert. Near Las Vegas,
on the Colorado River stands Hoover Dam, which impounds the waters of Lake
Mead, one of the world's largest artificial lakes.
Nevada became famous with the discovery of the Comstock Lode in 1859,
which produced large quantities of gold, silver, copper, lead, zinc, mercury,
barite, and tungsten. Oil was also discovered in 1954. It is said that Nevada
helped financially win the war for the Union States during the revolution.
Major resort areas flourish in Lake Tahoe, Reno, and Las Vegas. Recreation
areas include those at Pyramid Lake, Lake Tahoe, and Lake Mead and Lake
Mohave, both in Lake Mead National Recreation Area. Among the other attractions
are Hoover Dam, Virginia City, and Great Basin National Park (includes Lehman
Caves).
Capital:
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Carson City
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Organized as a territory:
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March 2, 1861
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Present constitution adopted:
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1864
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Motto:
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All for Our Country State
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Flower:
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sagebrush (1959)
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Tree:
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single-leaf pinion (1953) and bristlecone pine (1987)
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Bird:
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mountain bluebird (1967)
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Animal:
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desert bighorn sheep (1973)
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Colors:
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silver and blue (1983)
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Song:
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"Home Means Nevada" (1933)
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Rock:
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sandstone (1987)
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Precious Gemstone:
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virgin valley black fire opal (1987)
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Semiprecious Gemstone:
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Nevada turquoise (1987)
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Grass:
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Indian rice-grass (1977)
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Metal:
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silver (1977)
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Fossil:
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ichthyosaur (1977)
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Fish:
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Lahontan cutthroat trout (1981)
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Reptile:
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desert tortoise (1989)
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State Artifact:
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Tule duck decoy (1995)
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Nicknames:
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Sagebrush State; Silver State; Battle Born State
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NEVADA STATE TOURISM OFFICE, 1-800-NEVADA-8
This page was last update on: February 7, 2003
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