One of the largest but least populated states in the United States, Nevada ranks seventh in size but 39th in population. It is among the most mountainous of the 50 states. It also has vast desert areas. Part of Nevada's interior is so desolate that it is used as a testing range for nuclear devices. Other areas attract so many visitors that tourism is Nevada's greatest single source of income.
Population is centered in urban areas around the largest city, Las Vegas, located in the southeast, and Reno, in the west. Both cities have glittering entertainment sections that for the most part cater to tourists who are lured by statewide legalized gambling and liberal marriage and divorce laws. Both cities, too, are gateways to vast scenic and outdoor recreation areas. South of Reno is Lake Tahoe, on the Nevada-California border in the rugged Sierra Nevada. Along the Nevada-Arizona border east of Las Vegas lies Lake Mead National Recreation Area, which includes Hoover Dam.
Mineral production remains a major industry, though many ore deposits have been depleted. The state is the largest producer of gold in the United States. Agriculture, notably cattle and sheep ranching, is an economic mainstay. The major crops--grown largely on irrigated land--include alfalfa, hay, potatoes, wheat, and barley. In the 20th century Nevada's progress closely paralleled advances in irrigation, water storage, and other conservation and development projects. Continued development of water, land, and wildlife resources remains a critical challenge for the future.
Nevada takes its name from a Spanish word meaning snow-covered, which refers to the higher mountain ranges where the snow sometimes remains year-round. Throughout the state are many scenic mountain ranges that run in a north-south alignment. There are majestic mountains with such names as Opal, Rainbow, Ruby, and Blue to describe their distinctive colors. Between the mountain ranges are vast ranches as well as some valleys with salt flats and sand dunes. Clear, dry air and bright sunshine bring out the brilliant colors of mountains and desert.
Nevada is a Western state, lying in the Great Basin and Plateau section of the United States. It is bordered on the north by Oregon and Idaho. California is to the west and southwest. The boundary between the two states is at such an angle that Nevada's capital, Carson City, is farther west than Los Angeles. To the southeast is Arizona, with the Colorado River forming part of the boundary. Nevada's eastern neighbor is Utah. In the north, where Nevada is 316 miles (509 kilometers) wide, its western and eastern boundaries run parallel to each other. The straight western boundary ends at Lake Tahoe in the Sierra Nevada. From there the state tapers to its most southeastern point, along the Colorado River. Nevada's greatest length is 483 miles (777 kilometers). Its total area is 110,561 square miles (286,352 square kilometers), including 667 square miles (1,728 square kilometers) of water surface.
