Area:
110,540 square miles (seventh in size)
Population:
2,600,167 (2008 estimate as reported by the U.S. Census Bureau)
Five Largest Cities (2006 estimate as reported by the U.S. Census Bureau):
Las Vegas, 552,539
Henderson, 240,614
Reno, 210,255
North Las Vegas, 197,567
Sparks, 89,959
Number of Counties: 16, plus one city-county (Carson City)
Highest Point:
Boundary Peak, 13,141 feet
Lowest Point:
Colorado River, 470 feet
Capital:
Carson City (population - 55,000 plus)
State Government:
Bicameral, biennial legislature - 21 senators, 42 assembly members
State Nicknames:
Silver State, Sagebrush State, Battle Born State
Origin of State Name: Spanish word for “snowcapped”
Admitted to the Union: October 31, 1864, 36th state
Precipitation: Average annual number of days with precipitation of 0.01-inch or more varies considerably around the state. In Southern Nevada, Las Vegas averages 23 days, Ely 72, while in Northern Nevada, Reno average 49, Winnemucca 67 and Elko 78.
State Symbols
State Flower: Sagebrush
State Bird: Mountain Bluebird
State Trees: Single-Leaf Pinion Pine and Bristlecone Pine
State Animal: Nelson or Desert Bighorn Sheep
State Motto: "All For Our Country"
State Fossil: Ichthyosaur
State Metal: Silver
State Precious Gemstone: Black Fire Opal
State Semi-Precious Stone: Turquoise
State Rock: Sandstone
State Colors: Blue and Silver
State Fish: Lahontan Cutthroat Trout
State Grass: Indian rice grass
State Reptile: Desert tortoise
State Flag: Cobalt blue background; two sprays of sagebrush forming a half-wreath around a five-pointed star in the upper left corner; words, “Battle Born,” inscribed above star, and “Nevada” below.