Nevada is a state located within the mountain west, southwestern and western regions of the United States. With an area of 110,561 square miles or 286,350 km2, and a population of roughly 2.7 million, it is the 7th-biggest and 35th-most densely inhabited state. More than two-thirds of Nevada's inhabitants live within the Las Vegas metropolitan area, which contains its three largest incorporated cities. Carson City is the capital of Nevada State.
The state of Nevada is mostly semiarid and desert, with much of it located within the Great Basin. Areas south of the Great Basin are located within the Mojave Desert, whereas the Sierra Nevada mountains and Lake Tahoe lie on the western edge. Approximately 86 percent of the state's land is owned by the United States government under different jurisdictions, both civilian and military.
"Nevada" is a name that is derived from the Sierra Nevada Mountains, which in Spanish translates to "snow-capped mountain range." Prior to European contact, the land that makes up current day Nevada was populated by the Native American tribes: the Shoshone, Washoe and Paiute. It was subsequently claimed by Spain as a part of Alta California until the Mexican War of Independence brought it under Mexican control. The US gained the territory in 1848 following its victory in the Mexican-American War and the area was eventually incorporated as part of Utah Territory during 1850. The discovery of silver at the Comstock Lode during the year 1859 led to an increase in population that was an impetus to the creation of Nevada Territory out of western Utah Territory in 1861. Nevada became the 36th state on the 31st of October, the year 1864.
The establishment of legalized gambling and lenient marriage and divorce proceedings during the 20th century changed the state of Nevada into a key tourist destination. The tourism business continuous to be Nevada's biggest employer, with mining continuing to be a significant sector of the economy since Nevada is the world's fourth biggest producer of gold.
Nevada State is officially called the "Silver State" due to the importance of silver to its economy and history. It is also called the "Battle Born State" as it achieved statehood in the Civil War and the "Sagebrush State" for the native eponymous plant.
The Bureau of Economic Analysis estimates that Nevada's total state product in the year 2010 was $126 billion. Resort areas like for instance reno, Las Vegas, Lake Tahoe, and Laughlin attract people from all over the country and globe. In FY08 the total of 266 casinos with gaming revenue over $1m for the year, brought in revenue of $12 billion in gaming revenue, and $13 billion in non-gaming revenue. A review of gaming statistics could be found at Nevada gaming area.
Its agricultural outputs are cattle, hay, dairy products, alfalfa, onions, and potatoes. Its industrial outputs are tourism, mining, printing and publishing, machinery, food processing, and electric equipment.