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Nevada

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Nevada is a large state located in the Western United States.

Digital-elevation-map-nevada
Digital-elevation-map-nevada

It is a landlocked place, which means it has no ocean borders. You can find it near Oregon, Idaho, California, Arizona, and Utah. Much of the land is very dry and feels like a desert. This is because the state sits in a rain shadow from the Sierra Nevada mountains. Most of the area is part of the Great Basin or the Mojave Desert.

Köppen Climate Types Nevada
Köppen Climate Types Nevada

It is actually the driest state in the entire country.

The name Nevada comes from a Spanish word that means "snowy."

Charleston peak
Charleston peak

This name describes the many mountain ranges that stay covered in snow during the winter. These mountains include the Ruby Mountains and the Spring Mountains. Because of these high peaks, Nevada has a high average altitude. The state has many different nicknames as well. It is called the "Silver State" because of its history with mining. It is also known as the "Sagebrush State" because of its native plants.

Valley of Fire State Park (6882627246)
Valley of Fire State Park (6882627246)

Long ago, Native American tribes lived on this land. These included the Paiute, Shoshone, and Washoe tribes.

Tribes Nevada 2020
Tribes Nevada 2020

Later, Spanish explorers were the first Europeans to visit the region. In 1859, people discovered a huge amount of silver at the Comstock Lode. This discovery caused many people to move to the area very quickly. This population boom helped create the Nevada Territory in 1861.

Nevada Territory in 1861
Nevada Territory in 1861

Finally, Nevada became the 36th state on October 31, 1864. It joined the Union during the time of the Civil War.

Today, many people live in the southern part of the state.

Las Vegas From Stratosphere 5 2013-06-25
Las Vegas From Stratosphere 5 2013-06-25

Nearly three-quarters of the people live in Clark County. This is where the famous city of Las Vegas is located. Las Vegas is the largest city in Nevada. The capital city is Carson City.

Nevada State Museum
Nevada State Museum

While many people visit for tourism, mining is still a big part of life. Nevada is the fourth-largest producer of gold in the whole world.

Goldstrike pit
Goldstrike pit

Nevada is a place that is changing with the times. The state is working hard to adapt to climate change and dry weather.

For example, the Las Vegas area uses a lot of water recycling. The state also uses a lot of solar power from the sun. There is even a very large lithium mine being developed here. Lithium is a special material used to make electric vehicle batteries.

Charge! Little Finland, NV
Charge! Little Finland, NV

This helps connect Nevada's desert land to the modern world of clean energy.

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🖼️ Images & Media (38)
File:Mexico 1824 (equirectangular projection).png
Mexico 1824 (equirectangular projection).png
File:Early 19th Century locomotive in Ely, Nevada.JPG
Early 19th Century locomotive in Ely, Nevada.JPG
File:Nevada Territory in 1861.svg
Nevada Territory in 1861.svg
File:Map of the States of California and Nevada by SB Linton 1876.jpg
Map of the States of California and...
File:A654, Tom Kelly's bottle house, Rhyolite, Nevada, United States, 2011.jpg
A654, Tom Kelly's bottle house, Rhyolite,...
File:CCF12262007 00003.jpg
CCF12262007 00003.jpg
File:Valley in Nevada.jpg
Valley in Nevada.jpg
File:Digital-elevation-map-nevada.gif
Digital-elevation-map-nevada.gif
File:Charge! Little Finland, NV.jpg
Charge! Little Finland, NV.jpg
File:Köppen Climate Types Nevada.png
Köppen Climate Types Nevada.png
File:The Strip from Eiffel Tower (9176999807).jpg
The Strip from Eiffel Tower (9176999807).jpg
File:Nevada State Museum.jpg
Nevada State Museum.jpg

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