Nevada is “a state born in combat. Open left menu nevada neva yes

Built at the height of the Great Depression of the 1930s, the Hoover Dam was the greatest engineering structure of the era and the largest dam in the world. More than 20 thousand people enthusiastically worked on its construction, because during the years of a serious economic crisis it was the only way to earn money. And until now, the Hoover Dam - one of the greatest structures of the twentieth century - arouses admiration and interest among millions of tourists from all over the world.

The author of the idea of ​​building a dam in order to provide water to Southern California was Herbert Hoover, who at that time served as the US Secretary of Commerce. After much consultation, a plan was developed to build a dam that would block the course of the Colorado River.

In 1928 the project was approved by the President. Boulder Canyon was chosen as the original site for construction, but after being elected president, Hoover changed the original plan and it was decided to begin construction in Black Canyon. In 1947, the dam received a new name in honor of one of the main inspirers of the project of its creation and became known as the Hoover Dam.

Fly Geyser

Despite its modest size, the Fly Geyser in the US state of Nevada is considered one of the most beautiful geysers in the world. Interestingly, the geyser, located on private land near the town of Jerlak, owned by a certain Todd Jeksik, is of artificial origin. At the beginning of the twentieth century, they were looking for oil here, but instead they stumbled upon a geothermal source. The well was mothballed, but in the sixties the water found a way out to the surface, forming a small fountain.

Over the years since then, unusual rock formations have grown around the geyser and picturesque terraces have formed. The bright red-orange color of this geyser is due to the presence of dissolved minerals and salts in its hot water. The height of the stone "fountain" is about one and a half meters, and together with the terraces about three, and it is gradually increasing.

Unfortunately, ranchers have a rather negative attitude towards the influx of many tourists on their lands. Now the attraction is fenced. You can admire the geyser only from a dirt road running along the fence or by agreement with the owners.

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black desert

The Black Rock Desert is the bottom of the vast Lake Laontan, which disappeared about seven thousand years ago. It is a rocky dark plateau covered with salt deposits with many geothermal springs and geysers. If you are interested in being in an unusual place with alien landscapes, then the black desert of Black Rock is more suitable than any other place for such a trip.

Throughout the desert, volcanic and geothermal formations are quite common, giving the landscape very unusual forms. The most popular and recognizable is the Mukha geyser, which was formed as a result of human activity. A small accident while drilling the soil released hot jets, which in just a few decades formed a volcano as tall as a man. Unusual bacteria and greenish algae have painted the walls of the geyser in iridescent rainbow colors. Against the backdrop of a rather harsh and dark landscape, the Mukha geyser looks extremely unusual.

In the black desert, there is an area rich in gypsum deposits, painting the surrounding landscape in a piercing white color. The border between black sand and white rocks is so sharp that it seems as if you have entered another room.

Valley of Fire is one of the oldest and most interesting parks in Nevada, 55 miles northeast of Las Vegas. Its area is about 141 km². Valley of Fire was discovered in 1935.

It got its name because of the unique fiery red color of the rocks that formed 150 million years ago. On a beautiful sunny day, you will have the impression that the entire valley is on fire. Depending on the time of day, the shapes and colors of the rocks acquire shades of yellow, white, ocher, pink and fiery red.

The Valley of Fire is home to incredible dunes and weathered stone formations, as well as rock art from the Anasazi, an ancient Indian tribe. Each tourist finds something of his own in these rocks, some imagine stone bridges and castles, and some - petrified tree trunks, it all depends on the person's imagination.

El Dorado Canyon

The legendary and sometimes mythical Eldorado Canyon is located in Nevada, an hour's drive from Las Vegas. During the gold rush, the location of El Dorado was carefully hidden, and therefore the canyon was overgrown with all sorts of rumors and legends. It was believed that only a truly lucky person could find his way here.

By visiting the Eldorado Canyon, you can learn about how gold miners lived, see their living conditions, hold a pickaxe in your hands and visit gold mines. The guides will tell you about the harsh laws of the Wild West and, of course, tell you about several exciting stories of the confrontation between malicious bandits and valiant cowboys (the surroundings of Eldorado served as the backdrop for countless American westerns).

Mesa Verde Reserve

One of the important tourist centers of the state of Colorado is the Mesa Verde National Park. The amazing natural complex is annually visited by up to 700 thousand tourists from all over the world. The main reason for such a great popularity of the park is the miraculously preserved ruins of the settlements of the Anasazi Indians.

The Anasazi tribe began building their city in the sixth century AD. Colossal efforts were expended during the construction: after all, the city was built right on the wall of the gorge. The main building material was yellow sandstone, which was fastened together with clay soaked in water. In this way, 200 rooms and storerooms were built, as well as dozens of courtyards and terraces. The only way to get into the city was through a hole in the ceiling and a rope ladder.

Red Rock Canyon in Nevada

Red Rock Canyon is a nature reserve located about 25 kilometers from Las Vegas. It is a unique natural monument. 600 million years ago the canyon was under the ocean waters.

250 million years ago, the earth's crust began to rise, pushing salt and gypsum out of the water. The exposure of areas of the former ocean floor caused the rocks to oxidize and take on a bizarre red color. Thanks to him, the canyon got its name.

The rocks of the canyon stretch for several kilometers in length, and the total area of ​​the reserve is almost 80 hectares. Between the rocks there is a small road along which you can move by car. This will make traveling through the canyon not only convenient, but also comfortable.

Muhi Geyser

The Black Desert of Nevada is known not only for its cosmic landscapes with black dunes, but also for salt-covered plains, where geothermal springs and geysers are located. One of the geysers formed here quite by accident when the rancher decided to drill a well. As a result, hot jets formed a real volcano in just a few decades! Geyser Mukha has become the most popular attraction of the desert and its unofficial hallmark.

The main problem for tourists is that the geyser is located on private land and the area around it is surrounded by a fence. Therefore, it’s not so easy to look at it up close - you need to negotiate with the ranchers.

The geyser was formed in 1916 and has continued to grow slowly ever since. Today, its height is approximately equal to the height of an adult. Mineral salts dissolved in water, as well as a special kind of algae and bacteria that are attracted by such a composition, painted the walls of the geyser in iridescent colors. A jet from the center of this mountain gushing constantly to a height of one and a half meters.

Around the geyser, cascading multi-colored pools have formed, in which there is even a fish and you can admire it through the clear water.

Lake Lahontan

During the ice age, Lake Lahontan was the largest on our planet. Over the course of 15 million years, it was filled with rainwater and merged together from several nearby reservoirs. During its heyday, its depth exceeded 250 meters and the area covered 22,000 square kilometers. It was huge like the sea and even with its waves changed the relief of the mountains surrounding it. But then the climate changed dramatically and the lake began to dry out rapidly. Today, Lahontan is located in a desert area and is the main water intake reservoir.

The desert area and the water surface of the lake attracts many vacationers who stay in small coastal towns and relax in the bosom of nature. Due to the low rainfall, there is practically no vegetation here, and willows and poplars grow only on the shore of the lake. For tourists, it is possible to ride on the lake in a canoe, boat or small boat, which easily crosses the narrow watersheds of the reservoir.

But the main attraction of Lahontan is predatory trout. In few places on our planet, this subspecies of trout has been preserved, which is a real cutthroat among other lake fish. From early morning, you can watch an amazing picture of how dozens of fishermen go knee-deep into the lake, lined up in an even chain, and start fishing. In addition to trout, pike-perch and catfish of extraordinary size are found here.

Pioneer & Gambling Hall Hotel

Pioneer & Gambling Hall is located in Laughlin, Nevada. It is famous all over the world for its sign and unique interior. Also, in addition to the hotel, there is a casino and a small restaurant, they all belong to the same owner.

The iconic neon sign for this hotel was built in 1981. It is in the shape of a cigar-smoking cowboy called River Rick or Laughlin Lou. There are only three such "cowboys" in the state of Nevada. Now, after the purchase in 2004, the hotel and casino are owned by Arkon Corporation.

The interior of the hotel is made in a classic style for these places. Outside, there is a characteristic wooden veranda near it, and on the facade of the building, near each window, there are shutters. All decor elements are related to the cowboy theme and the "wild west".

Petroglyphs of Vine Canyon

Vine Canyon is located near the city of Laughlin, in southern Nevada. The canyon was listed on the US National Register of Historic Places in December 1984. Here you can see many ancient rock paintings - petroglyphs. Petroglyphs were created by the Mojave Indians between 1100 and 1900 AD. Their greatest concentration is at the entrance to the canyon, at an altitude of 730 m above sea level.

The canyon is located next to the Mojave Desert and is a striking contrast in natural conditions. Spring water provides a large number of plants and animals in the canyon.

The canyon is popular with hikers, especially in the autumn-winter period from October to March. But even at this time the temperature here can be quite high. Therefore, going on a hike, it is necessary to have a large supply of water, at least 2 liters per person.

Nevada Valley Heritage Museum

The state of Nevada is located in a vast area of ​​the Great Basin, and is known for its deserts and arid climate. At the same time, it is the fastest growing US state in terms of population.

The most famous city of the state - Las Vegas - a major world center of entertainment and recreation. If you have to visit Las Vegas and want to relax after gambling, go to the small town of Mesquite, located 100 km from Las Vegas.

A little more than 15,000 people live here, there is no large industry, only 3 casinos, but the history of the state of Nevada is connected with this place. It is home to the Virginia River Valley Cultural Heritage Museum, which is listed on the US National Register of Historic Places. The Museum has an exhibition that tells about the first settlers and the history of this region from 1875 to 1935.

The museum building was designed by architect Walter Warren Hughes. It was built in 1940 and originally served as a library. In 1945, it became the Nevada Southern Memorial Hospital. And only in 1985, a museum was opened in this building, which was originally called the Virginia Desert Museum. In 1991, this museum was listed on the US National Register of Historic Places. In July 2001, it was renamed the Virginia Valley Heritage Museum.

The most popular attractions in Nevada with descriptions and photos for every taste. Choose the best places to visit famous places in Nevada on our website.

Nevada (Nevada, an area of ​​286.3 thousand square kilometers) is the most deserted and arid, but also the fastest growing state in the US in terms of population. The "Silver State" is located on the territory of the vast mountainous country of the Great Basin, and its territory is an alternation of elevated plateaus, mountain ranges with altitudes up to 4000 meters (the highest point is Mount Boundary Peak, 4005 m) and dry intermountain valleys (altitude not less than 900 m above sea level), mostly desert. The northern regions of the state are occupied by the Great Basin Desert (Great Basin), above which the green spurs of the mountains rise, the eastern regions are steppes and forbs, while the south is dominated by the waterless Mojave Desert.

The main point of attraction for tourists here is the city that has grown in just 20 years in the heart of the Mojave Desert - the "gambling capital" of the United States.

Less than 30 km west of the famous Strip - one of the central gambling avenues of Las Vegas - begins Red Rock Canyon- the most beautiful 900-meter slope of the western edge of the river valley, dotted with thickets of the "Joshua tree" (short-leaved yucca), multi-colored sandstone massifs and jagged peaks of the surrounding rocks.

To the north of the picturesque town of Overton (80 km northeast of Las Vegas), which has preserved the atmosphere of old cowboy cities, there are archaeological areas of the Pueblo culture, which are part of the museum complex Lost City.

Just 70 km southeast of downtown Las Vegas is a colossal Hoover Dam(1935 - the highest dam in the Western Hemisphere) and Mead Reservoir - the most popular recreation area. The strict geometry of the dam wall, 220 meters high and 379 meters wide, contrasts sharply with the red rocks of the canyon walls and gray water, and to the north and east of the dam there is a long (180 km, area of ​​600 thousand hectares) reservoir - a great place for rowing, water skiing, fishing and even scuba diving. Dam and City Museum boulder city contains a good collection on the history of the region and the construction of the dam itself.

The western spurs of the famous Grand Canyon begin 210 km east of Las Vegas.

"Little Las Vegas" or "The Biggest Small City in the World" is billed as an alternative to Las Vegas, but the city's real attraction is its provincial charm and some rather interesting monuments.

35 km southwest of Reno begins the largest resort area in the state - lake tahoe. Located at an altitude of 1800 meters above sea level, among the beautiful alpine landscapes of Nevada and California, the lake is the focus of popular beach and high-class ski resorts and is famous for its vibrant nightlife, festivals and natural beauty. Lake State Park covers almost the entire east (Nevada) shore of Tahoe and can offer dozens of hiking trails (about 100 km), tiny beaches, Spooner Trout Lake, Pine Ranch Theme Park, and on the northeast shore of the lake you can find beautiful massifs of weathered sandstone in Valley of Fire Park, the beautiful shallow waters of Sand Harbor, Divers Cove - a popular scuba diving destination, the fashionable Village area with its multi-million dollar villas and private clubs, as well as several first-class golf courses.

No less interesting local attractions are Pyramid lake north of Reno, a beautiful blue expanse in the red desert, the most popular place for sport fishing and bird watching (the American white pelican reserve is open on Anaho Island, located at the southern end of the lake); old ranch Scotties Castle; popular resort town Lachlin and excellent mountain resorts in Spring Mountain And Mount Charleston, as well as the town Elko with its Western Folklife Center.

In the southern part of the state, the lands of the huge National Wildlife Refuge are spread. mojave desert, which include about a dozen local reserves that protect the natural complexes of this unique desert, as well as the northern spurs of the famous Death Valley.

I must say right away that out of all fifty states, Nevada is the only state to which I might have flown to see. Considering that I have never been a traveler and can not stand airplanes.

As usual, I will pull information about Nevada from everywhere and comment based on my personal experience gained in America during more than 10 years of living here. Let's go pray! 🙂

Nevada is a state in the western part of the USA. The state capital is Carson City and the largest city is Las Vegas.

Nevada became part of the United States during the Civil War between the southern and northern states. The word Nevada is translated from Spanish as snowfall and comes from the name of the Sierra Nevada mountains. "The Battle Born State" is the official slogan of Nevada.

The state flag bears the words "Battle Born". Several US Navy ships have been named USS Nevada after the state of Nevada.

Here I am, as many of you were surprised to learn for the first time that the word "Nevada" is translated as "snowfall". And this despite the fact that in my mind Nevada is associated only with the desert. I must also tell my wife about the translation, she will be surprised! (He said he was surprised!)

I will omit about the history, although a lot of interesting things happened there, see for yourself. No, perhaps I'm still embossing one paragraph from the history of the state, in my opinion the most interesting.

Gambling establishments, a common sight in early Nevada mining towns, were outlawed in 1909 as part of a nationwide anti-gambling campaign. But due to a sharp decline in mining in the 1920s and a decline in the agricultural sector during the Great Depression, Nevada brought back the legitimacy of gambling in 1931. The main advocates of gambling at that time believed to temporarily support the state's economy by legalizing gambling establishments, but since then a ban on gambling has not been seriously considered.

So Nevada is one of the few states where the gaming business is legally allowed. But we are more interested in whether it is possible for a Russian to go there to live. First, let's look for Nevada on the map.

Geography
Nevada is located in the western part of the United States, the area of ​​the state is 286,367 km². It borders California (to the west), Oregon and Idaho (to the north), Utah (to the east), and Arizona (to the southeast). The northern part of Nevada is located within the boundaries of the Great Basin, this territory is mainly occupied by the desert and is characterized by hot summers and rather cold winters.

The southern third of the state where Las Vegas is located is occupied by the Mojave Desert, the height of these lands is for the most part less than 1200 m above sea level.

The highest temperature in Nevada was recorded on June 29, 1994 in the extreme south of the state and amounted to 52 ° C. The lowest temperature (-47 ° C) was recorded in 1972 in the northeast of the state. The climate of Nevada is desert and semi-arid, characterized by high summer temperatures throughout the state.

Winters in the north are quite cold and long, while in the south they are shorter and milder. The average annual rainfall is only about 180 mm, although in some areas this figure can reach 1000 mm.

The desert is there, the desert is here, which is to be expected. Well, now let's see who lives there, in Nevada. Scientifically speaking, the demographics of the state.

As of July 1, 2011, Nevada's population is 2,723,322, according to the US Census Bureau; compared with the 2010 census, the increase was 0.84%.

From the 1940s until 2003, Nevada was the state with the fastest growing population in the nation by percentage. So, between 1990 and 2000, the population of Nevada grew by 66.3%, while the population of the country only by 13.1%.

The city of Las Vegas is one of the fastest growing major metropolitan areas in the country. From a few hundred people in 1900, the city's population grew to 10,000 in 1950, to 100,000 in 1970, and to 2.5 million (90% of the region's population) in 2010.

About Las Vegas, you can write a separate article and more than one. Just as people in Europe tend to visit Paris at least once in their lives, so in the United States, many people flew to Las Vegas, as it should be.

The racial makeup of the state as of the 2008 Census was 65% White, 7.1% African American, 6% Asian, possibly more, 2% other races, and the remaining 20% ​​Hispanic.

The population is mainly of Mexican (20.8%), German (13.3%), Irish (10%), English (9.2%) and Italian (6.3%) origin.

And it's full of Germans. In my opinion, I already wrote that at one time the German language almost became the main language in the United States, but the British made a fuss in time.

Women make up approximately 50.7% of Nevada's population. The level of illegal immigration for 2010 is 8.8% (the highest in the US).

Yeah, again there is something to think about if you do not have normal ways to leave for the USA. “A tree has the easiest place to hide in a forest,” remember that expression of G.K. Chesterton? And there are many women, as you can see.

The Nevada Nuclear Test Site is located within the Nellis Air Force Test Site and Test Base in southern Nevada. The central settlement of the polygon is the city of Mercury. From the northeast, the once top-secret US Air Force test center (Area 51) adjoins the test site. Now both the landfill and Area 51 have become a place for excursions. The distance to Las Vegas is about 100 km.

About "Area 51" only the lazy did not hear. There, they say, still aliens live. So I would have flown there - to play in a casino and look at this very "Area-51". In reality, not in the cinema.

By the way, it is strange that there is no Wikipedia, but initially I was generally drawn to Nevada to see the Grand Canyon and also Death Valley, which is there on the border of Nevada and California.

I am also incredibly attracted to deserted roads. I don’t know why, but from pictures like this one, I just drag-us! I have wallpapers like this one on my desktop all the time.

Meaning "snowfall" in Spanish, "Nevada" was the name chosen for the state when it separated from Utah in 1861, and comes from the reduction of the nearby Sierra Nevada mountain range. Nevada - "The State Born in Battle" is its official motto.

Located in the desert sands of the western United States, this state has not been lost, becoming the dream of many gamblers who want to try their luck.

History of the State of Nevada

Like all of America, this state has a not so long history, but even in the short 250 years since the state was first explored, many events have happened here.

The first explorer was a Spanish missionary, and of the Americans, Jedediah Smith was the first to explore. Until 1848, this state was part of Mexico, but after the war, it became part of the United States as part of Utah. Within 10 years, the richest deposits of silver and gold were discovered, which attracted large flows of seekers of precious metals here. Because of the richness of the local subsoil, Nevada began to be called the Silver State.

The state became a separate administrative unit in 1864, becoming the 36th star on the US flag. Until the beginning of the 20th century, the state's economy was based on the mining industry, and in 1905 Las Vegas was founded. But the metal reserves were exhausted, gambling was prohibited, the Great Depression struck, and Nevada went through this period very hard. The 1930s of the twentieth century were marked by two grandiose events for the state: the legalization of gambling in the state and the Hoover Dam, which became the construction site of the century for Nevada.

Since then, Nevada has been actively developing as a tourist and gambling center of the country.

Another milestone event in the history of the state is the testing of nuclear weapons in the state. From 1951 to 1992, more than 928 nuclear warhead explosions were carried out.

Population of Nevada

A little over 2.5 million people live in Nevada, of which almost 2 million people are concentrated in Las Vegas and its suburbs. The second largest city is Henderson with 270,000 people, and Reno, which is called "the world's largest small city", has 215,000 people.

The capital of Nevada, Carson City, occupies only 11th place in terms of population, about 60 thousand people live here. Nevada is considered the fastest growing state in terms of population. Since 1950, the population of the state has grown from 160,000 to 2.5 million people, an increase of 15 times.

Many migrants come here, both from other states and from other countries, mainly from Mexico. There are a lot of illegal migrants here. And in this state, the easiest way to get a divorce or get married. Also, Nevada, and in particular Las Vegas, are characterized by one of the highest crime rates in the country.

Attractions in Nevada

The nature of Nevada is very beautiful and unusual. There are rivers and lakes, extraordinary mountain landscapes, and even the desert here is mesmerizingly beautiful. Valley of Fire is a park 200 km northeast of Las Vegas. The unusual color of the rocks and intricate outlines make an indelible impression when on a sunny day they stand as if on fire. This attraction has been known for only about 100 years, before that, if they heard about it, it was not widely known.

El Dorado, a canyon that has become a real legend for all treasure seekers. Here you can plunge into the life of gold diggers and listen to stories about how cowboys and bandits fought. This place has served as a set for films more than once.

There are two man-made attractions - the Hoover Dam and the Fly Geyser. And if the dam is really the world's largest hydroengineering structure, which many have seen more than once in different films, then the Fly geyser became a miracle by accident. About 100 years ago, a site owner dug a well, accidentally hitting a geothermal pocket. But only about 50 years ago, the water began not just to flow out, it began to hit the sky in three jets. The minerals that are contained in the water are gradually deposited around, growing like stalagmites. Over these half a century, they have grown by 1.5 meters. And all together it creates an unprecedented futuristic landscape.

Economy of Nevada

The economy of the state is completely dependent on tourists and gambling.

Las Vegas is the most famous entertainment destination for all fortune seekers. There are more than 250 casinos here, which are visited annually by more than a million tourists. But Las Vegas was not the first center of the casino; until the 1950s, the capital of gambling was the city of Reno. It is the only US state with legal prostitution and also the state with the highest unemployment rate.

Outside of these entertainment centers, there are many territories that are given mainly for livestock agriculture. In crop production, mainly fodder crops are cultivated. Seine is called the State of the Permanent Colony because of the peculiarities of farming. About 90% of the land is owned by the federal government and is not suitable for agricultural work, but is actively used by farmers for grazing livestock.

The deposits of Nevada still have not lost their significance; annually, about 9% of the world's gold production is mined in mines and mines. There is also industrial production in Nevada.

The first Europeans who found themselves in the XVI century. in the southwest of North America, there were Spaniards. In 1776, two Franciscan missionaries, Silvestre de Escalante and Francisco Dominguez, crossed the rocky lands of Nevada in search of a route between the Spanish missions in California and New Mexico. But they were not the real explorers. Only in 1843-44. John Fremont managed to explore the Great Basin area during numerous expeditions. He marked this place on the map and organized the first settlement on the site of modern Nevada.
Until 1848, the Nevada Territory was part of Mexico. After the Mexican-American War (1847-1848), she went to the United States, but until 1861 she was part of Utah, until she separated from her and acquired her own name, short for Sierra Nevada. In 1864, Nevada became the 36th US state.
Back in 1859, a rich deposit of gold and silver was discovered here - Comstock lived in the Virginia City area. A large number of hunters for fast prey went here to seek their fortune after their attempts to find the precious metal in California were unsuccessful. But the local mines were quickly depleted. Abandoned cities in different parts of the state are reminiscent of the "gold rush" that once swept these lands.
Gambling establishments have become commonplace in the mining towns of Nevada. In 1909 they were outlawed, but due to a sharp decline in mining, the state legalized gambling, hoping to support the economy with the help of poker, roulette and blackjack. Today, gambling is the most developed sector of the Nevada economy.

Gambling in the desert

If the casinos in Sin City did not offer games such as roulette and blackjack, as well as slot machines, also called "one-armed bandits", tourists would not aspire to Nevada, but would go to other areas in the southwest of the state. Meanwhile, among the attractions of Nevada are not only gambling houses. On the border with California is one of the most beautiful lakes in the United States - Tahoe, and in the harsh mountainous regions where sagebrush grows, ghost towns are scattered, which were founded and then abandoned by people who came to look for gold. Here, to a greater extent than in other places, traces of the times of the first colonists who came to the Wild West for adventure and treasure have been preserved.
Along the border with California stretches the Sierra Nevada mountain range ("snow-capped mountains"). Its western slopes do not allow clouds from the Pacific Ocean to pass deep into the continent, which is why the worst droughts in the United States rage in the area located east of the Sierra Nevada. To the south, along the border with Arizona, is the Colorado River. In the 30s. 20th century the famous Hoover Dam was erected here and the largest artificial reservoir in the United States, Mead, was formed, which became a national recreation area. Not far from here is the largest city in the state of Nevada, the embodiment of the "American dream" of El Dorado. Every year, millions of gamers visit the hotels and casinos on the Strip.

general information

36th state of the United States (since October 31, 1864).
Nicknames: Silver State, Wormwood State.

Capital: Carson City, 55,289 (2006).

English language.

Currency unit: U.S. dollar.
Religion: Catholic (27%), Protestant (26%), Mormon (11%), Muslim (2%) Jewish (1%).
Major cities: Las Vegas, Reno, Carson City, Sparks.

Major lakes: Pyramid, Tahoe.

Major rivers: Colorado, Humboldt.

International airports: McCarran (Las Vegas), Reno-Tahoe (Reno).

Numbers

Area: 286,367 km2.

Population: 2,643,085 (2009).
Population density: 9.2 people / km 2.
highest point: Boundary Peak (4005 m).

Economy

Tourism
Casino (more than 40% of state revenue).

Industry: metallurgical and mining (silver, gold, copper, zinc, tin, oil), woodworking and glass, energy (HPP). military bases.
Agriculture: pasture meat-wool animal husbandry, irrigated agriculture.

Climate and weather

Desert and semi-desert.
Average temperature in Las Vegas:+7ºС in January and +33ºС in July.