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Nevada (/ nəˈvædə, - vɑː -/ ⓘ nə-VAD-ə, -VAH-, [ 4 ][ 5 ]Spanish: [neˈβaða]) is a landlocked state in the Western region of the United States. [ c ] It borders Oregon to the northwest, Idaho to the northeast, California to the west, Arizona to the southeast, and Utah to the east.
- Overview
- Relief
- Drainage
- Climate
Nevada, constituent state of the United States of America. It borders Oregon and Idaho to the north, Utah to the east, Arizona to the southeast, and California to the west. It ranks seventh among the 50 U.S. states in terms of total area. It also, however, is one of the most sparsely settled. Carson City, in the western part of the state, is the capital. Nevada became the 36th state of the union on October 31, 1864.
Nevada is located in a mountainous region that includes vast semiarid grasslands and sandy alkali deserts. It is the most arid state of the country. The state takes its name from the Spanish nevada (“snow-clad”), a reference to the high mountain scenery of the Sierra Nevada on the western border with California.
Nevada, which in the early 21st century was one of the fastest-growing states in the country, appears far removed from the days when Virginia City was a fabled frontier town, thriving on the rich silver mines of the Comstock Lode. However, many frontier qualities persist, though subtly transformed by a sophisticated urban environment. The prospectors digging against odds to find a bonanza have been replaced by the fortune seekers in the gambling casinos of Las Vegas and Reno, and the erstwhile “saloon diversions” have evolved into lavish nightclub entertainments.
The majority of Nevadans live in urban areas, with about half of the population residing in the Las Vegas metropolitan area alone. The vast undeveloped lands of the state provide a largely unexplored resource, and its combination of burgeoning cities and desert reaches make Nevada a unique phenomenon among U.S. states. Area 110,572 square miles (286,380 square km). Population (2020) 3,104,614; (2023 est.) 3,194,176.
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Most of Nevada lies within the Great Basin section of the Basin and Range Province, where the topography is characterized by rugged mountains, flat valleys with occasional buttes and mesas, and sandy desert regions. Crossing the state are more than 30 north-south mountain ranges, the majority of which reach more than 10,000 feet (3,000 metres) in e...
The state’s rivers depend on the melting of winter snows and on spring precipitation. Almost all of the rivers drain into lakes that have no outlets or into shallow sinks that in summer evaporate into alkaline mud flats. The Humboldt, the largest of Nevada’s rivers, provides the state’s only major east-west drainage system. The Truckee, Carson, and Walker rivers, which rise in the Sierra Nevada, serve extensive irrigation and reclamation projects in their areas. The Muddy and Virgin rivers, in southern Nevada, are related to the Colorado River system, which drains into the Gulf of California.
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Several lakes provide scenic and recreational attractions. Lake Tahoe, on the California-Nevada border, is particularly notable for its clarity, depth, and scenic beauty. Pyramid, Walker, and Winnemucca lakes are remnants of an ancient sea. In relation to its area, however, Nevada has little surface water. The increasing demands of urbanization, industry, and agriculture are exhausting both groundwater and surface resources, and scarcity of water is an increasing concern. The impounded waters of Lake Mead, extending for some 115 miles (185 km) behind Hoover Dam, provide reserves for the southeastern area. The state relies heavily on allocations of water from the Colorado River, a reliance that has yielded a continuing legacy of litigation and conflict with neighbouring states over water rights.
The mountains of the Sierra Nevada along the state’s western boundary often cause clouds of Pacific origin to drop their moisture before reaching Nevada, thus producing a semiarid climate. The driest regions are in the southeast and near Carson Sink (a now-dry basin that was the centre of a lake system during the last major ice age, some 11,500 yea...
- The 'Seven Magic Mountains' art installation standing out against its Mojave Desert backdrop with a poetic burst of form and color. Travel Nevada.
- View over Lake Tahoe’s crystal-clear waters from majestic Sand Harbor. Lake Tahoe Visitors Authority.
- The Nevada Northern Railway in Ely, where you can take a train ride or be an engineer for a day. Travel Nevada.
- The sky ablaze over Spencer Hot Springs. Travel Nevada.
- Las Vegas. From its glitzy casinos to neon lights, there’s no place on earth quite like Las Vegas. An entertainment oasis in the middle of the desert, Nevada’s largest city is one of the world’s most famous tourist destinations.
- Lake Tahoe. The largest alpine lake in North America, Lake Tahoe straddles the border of Nevada and California. The area’s stunning beauty has long been a drawcard for visitors passing through the Silver State.
- Reno. Reno has long been known as “the Biggest Little City In America.” And it’s easy to see why. With a population of only about 250,000 people, Reno offers a Nevada small-town feel without sacrificing big city amenities.
- Carson City. The capital of Nevada, Carson City is one of the Silver State’s biggest surprises for travelers. The small city of just 50,000 people will let you dig into Nevada’s roots in the very place the state was founded in 1864.
- Las Vegas. Considered the most entertainment filled two and a half miles in the entire world, the Las Vegas Strip glitters and glows with massive resorts and hotels, theaters, restaurants, gardens, and other attractions.
- Hoover Dam. Built during the Great Depression as a way to provide jobs, Hoover Dam is a marvel of modern engineering. The 726-foot-high dam contains Lake Mead, the largest reservoir in the United States, and provides hydroelectric power to much of Nevada, Arizona, and California.
- Lake Tahoe. The sparkling blue water of Lake Tahoe, surrounded by often snow-capped mountains, is one of the most beautiful sites in Nevada. This 22-mile-long freshwater lake, high in the Sierra Nevada Mountains on the Nevada and California border, is a popular year-round destination.
- Lake Mead National Recreation Area. On the shores of Lake Mead and Lake Mohave, Lake Mead National Recreation Area encompasses some spectacular scenery and offers convenient access points and a variety of services for enjoying the lake and surroundings.
Nov 9, 2009 · Learn about Nevada's history, from its early exploration and mining to its modern gambling and entertainment. Discover its natural wonders, such as Hoover Dam, Lake Mead and Area 51, and its role in the 15th Amendment and the Cold War.
Aug 15, 2024 · Nevada, also nicknamed the “Silver State”, is a landlocked, state located in the western US. Oregon and Idaho border it to the north, Utah and Arizona to the east, Arizona to the south and California to the south and west. Nevada's capital is Carson City, situated in the state’s far west.
