Nevada Flag and seal of Nevada Nevada is

Nevada

Flag and seal of Nevada

Nevada is a land of rugged snow-capped mountains, grassy valleys, and sandy deserts. Pine forests cover many mountain slopes, and crystal-clear streams flow through steep, rocky canyons. Large trout swim in sparkling valley lakes. In many places, geysers erupt and hot springs gush amid the rocks. In the south, bighorn sheep graze on jagged plateaus that glow red in the brilliant sunshine. Glistening white patches called alkali flats stretch across the deserts. The flowers of cactus, yucca, and sagebrush plants add splashes of color. The gray-green sagebrush gave Nevada one of its nicknames, the Sagebrush State. The United States government maintains a testing center for nuclear weapons in the Nevada desert.

The state's most common nickname, the Silver State, comes from the vast amounts of silver that were once taken from its many mines. Colorful ghost towns and historic mining towns, such as Virginia City, now attract thousands of tourists to the state every year. But mining is still one of the chief industries of Nevada. The most important minerals in the state include diatomite, gold, petroleum, sand and gravel, and silver. These resources support the state's manufacturing and processing industry.

The name Nevada comes from a Spanish word meaning snow-clad. Miners and other settlers chose the name Nevada when the region became a territory in 1861. Nevada became a state in 1864 during the Civil War and was nicknamed the Battle Born State.

Las Vegas

Gambling and the colorful night life in Las Vegas and Reno draw millions of tourists every year. Virginia City and other historic Nevada towns remind travelers of the prospectors who came west seeking fortunes in gold and silver. Sports enthusiasts hunt mule deer and chukar partridge, and fish for catfish, bass, salmon, and trout. Skiers race down the snow-covered slopes of the Lake Tahoe basin and the Sierra Nevada near Reno, and Mount Charleston near Las Vegas. Vacationers also enjoy swimming and water skiing at Lake Mead, Lake Tahoe, and Pyramid Lake. Helldorado Days in Las Vegas is one of Nevada's most exciting events. During this weeklong celebration in May or June, people wear Old-West costumes for parades and street dances. The celebration also includes a major professional rodeo.

THE END