Nevada Atlas

Nevada facts and history plus travel and tourism information.

Capital: Carson City
Abbreviation: NV (postal), Nev.
Area: 110,567 square miles
State Bird: Mountain Bluebird
State Tree: Bristlecone Pine and Pinyon
State Flower: Sagebrush
State Motto: All for Our Country
Nicknames: The Sagebrush State, The Silver State, The Battle-born State

Nevada's barren deserts and rugged mountains were once inhabited by the Paiute, Shoshone, and Washoe tribes. The Spanish, during the 17th century, were the first Europeans to arrive, but Nevada was later given up to the United States in 1848, following the US-Mexican War. When silver was discovered in 1849, prospectors flocked to Nevada. Many of the mining towns of yesteryear are ghost towns today, but mining still contributes to the state's economy.

The Great Basin Desert and Mojave Desert dominate the land, discouraging human settlement. Cacti, Joshua trees, sagebrush, and yucca plants grow in the desert sands, and rattlesnakes, bobcats, antelope, and deer are among the few species of wildlife that survive in these arid conditions.

Las Vegas is Nevada's major attraction, drawing about 40 million gamblers and curious tourists each year. Slot machines, neon lights, and hopes to get rich quickly characterize this famous city. North of Carson City, Reno is another gaming destination with various recreational activities.

Nevada Map

More Nevada Information

1. Nevada Government - official Nevada state website.
2. Nevada Commission on Tourism - Nevada travel and tourism.
3. National Parks in Nevada
4. Nevada QuickFacts - from the US Census Bureau.
5. 50States.com - Nevada

Nevada Resources

• Nevada Real Estate - real estate information about Nevada.
• Nevada Colleges and Universities - higher education institutions in Nevada.
• Nevada Libraries - list of libraries in Nevada.

Nevada History and Geography