Cities in Nevada - Quick Facts, History & Geography
Nevada Quick Facts
Nevada is the 7th state by land area, covering approximately 110,572 square miles and is only 0.72% water. There are a total of 126 cities in Nevada. By population, Nevada is the 33rd largest state with just over 3.1 million residents. Las Vegas is the largest city in Nevada and is famous for its vibrant nightlife, entertainment and world-renowned casinos. The capital city of Nevada is Carson City, which is one of only two independent cities in the state. Much of Nevada is part of the Mojave Desert, one of the hottest and driest deserts in North America. The Hoover Dam is one of the largest man-made reservoirs in the United States. The state nickname of Nevada is the "Silver State", due to its historical significance as a major silver-producing state during the mining booms of the 19th century. Nevada is home to numerous ghost towns, remnants of former mining towns that boomed during the Silver Rush but were eventually abandoned. Las Vegas is the wedding capital of the world, with over 100,000 weddings a year. Blue Jeans were invented in Reno in the 1870's. The Stratosphere is the tallest observation tower in the United States. Famous people who were born in Nevada include Andre Agassi, Wayne Newton, Nicholas Cage, Bryce Harper and Kris Bryant.
The History of Nevada
From its early days as a remote and sparsely populated territory to its transformation into a world-renowned destination, Nevada has a story to tell. Long before European settlers arrived, Native American tribes, including the Paiute, Shoshone and Washoe, inhabited the region now known as Nevada. Spanish explorers, such as Francisco Garcés and Jedediah Smith, ventured into the area during the 18th and early 19th centuries. In the early 1820s, Nevada was part of Mexico's Alta California territory. It remained under Mexican control until the Mexican-American War in 1846, when it became part of the United States. In the mid-19th century, Nevada's landscape experienced a surge of prospectors during the California Gold Rush of 1849. Nevada's transformation began in earnest with the discovery of the Comstock Lode in 1859. Located in the Virginia Range near what is now Virginia City, the Comstock Lode was one of the richest silver deposits ever discovered. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Nevada experienced several mining booms and busts. In 1931, during the Great Depression, the state legislature legalized gambling in an effort to generate revenue. Throughout the mid-20th century, Las Vegas emerged as a thriving hub for casinos, hotels, and entertainment. Today, Nevada continues to be a popular tourist destination, drawing visitors from around the world with its vibrant entertainment, outdoor activities and stunning natural landscapes.
The Geography of Nevada
The geography of Nevada offers diverse and dramatic landscapes, ranging from vast deserts to majestic mountain ranges. Nevada is bordered by the following 5 states: California, Oregon, Idaho, Utah and Arizona. The majority of Nevada is part of the Great Basin, a vast and arid region characterized by numerous mountain ranges and basins. Unlike most basins, the Great Basin has no outlet to the ocean, resulting in several closed hydrological systems and alkaline lakes. On the western border of Nevada lies the eastern slope of the Sierra Nevada Range, which extends all the way to California. Much of southern Nevada is part of the Mojave Desert, one of the hottest deserts in North America. The central part of Nevada is part of the Basin and Range Province, a geologic region defined by alternating mountain ranges and elongated valleys. The Black Rock Desert, located in northern Nevada, is a vast playa known for hosting the annual Burning Man festival. On the border between Nevada and Arizona, the iconic Hoover Dam spans the Colorado River, creating Lake Mead, one of the largest man-made reservoirs in the United States. Situated northeast of Las Vegas, Valley of Fire State Park features striking red sandstone formations, ancient petroglyphs and unique desert scenery.
Nevada Relocation Guide
Thinking about heading to the entertainment capital of the world to relocate? The great state of Nevada offers more than luxe hotels, casinos and all-you-can eat buffets. Nevada is most famous (or shall we say infamous) for the city of Las Vegas, a 24 hour neon hub of activity. After all, people travel across the world to get access to the legalized gambling, simple and quick marriage and divorce proceedings, events and attractions and legalized active brothels of Las Vegas. However, in addition to a booming tourism industry, there are many people who live and work in non-entertainment related fields in Las Vegas, as well as in other parts of Nevada.
From the Mojave Desert in the southern part of Nevada to the Great Basin in the north, Nevada is a desert. In fact it is the most arid state in the Union. Since most of the rest of the state is basically uninhabitable, much of Nevada (around 86%) is owned and used by the federal government for military and research purposes. Besides Vegas, cities such as Reno, Lake Tahoe, and Laughlin are also major tourist areas that employ a lot of people. There is an especially high number of resort and entertainment venues in Nevada, and this is because the state does not charge corporate income tax. Additionally, Nevada does not charge personal income tax. Outside of these resort cities, most jobs are in the cattle and mining industries.
Cities in Nevada (on average) have a slightly higher crime rate than the national average. Larger cities like Las Vegas and Reno could be contributing to the increased rates as both cities have crime rates that are higher than average. If crime is a key factor in your decision, take a look Henderson, which has much lower than average crime rates.
