Introduction: Nevada Download PDF
Most of the state is covered by an especially dry region known as the Great Basin, and the Mojave Desert is located in the south. This combination makes Nevada one of the driest states in the union, with most of its land receiving less than 10 inches of precipitation per year. These arid conditions made Nevada a prime testing ground for nuclear weapons, which took place during the cold-war era.
Nevada’s economy had its roots in mining. The discovery of vast silver and gold deposits helped fuel the mining industry and inspired Nevada’s official nickname, “The Silver State”. Gambling and tourism now dominate the state economy, thanks in great part to the legalization of gambling across the state and the proliferation of Las Vegas as a world-renowned hub of entertainment. Other major industries in Nevada include real estate, construction and financial services.
Government
Symbols
State Seal: |
State Quarter: |
Time Zones:
| Standard Time | GMT-8 | |
| Daylight-Saving Time | GMT-7 | |
Statistics
- Per Capita Real GDP :
- $40,210
- Population:
- 2,600,170
- Percent of People Under Poverty Level:
- 11.1%
- Per Capita Personal Income:
- $37,089
- Percent of Population with a Bachelor's Degree:
- 13.9%
- Total Exports:
- $5,713,220,000
Top 5 Export Partner Countries
Switzerland
Canada
Japan
Mexico
China
Top 5 Export Merchandise
Computers and Electronic Products Sales
Transportation Equipment Sales
Computers and Electronic Products Manufacturing
Transportation Equipment Manufacturing
Machinery Manufacturing
Major Cities
Henderson, Las Vegas, Reno
Major Airports
| Airport Name | City | |
| LAS | McCarran International | Las Vegas |
| RNO | Reno/Tahoe International | Reno |
Main Ports:
None
Corporations
| Company | Fortune 1000 Rank: | Revenues ($millions) | Headquarter City |
| Harrah's Entertainment | 254 | 9,781 | Las Vegas |
| MGM Mirage | 315 | 7,588 | Las Vegas |
| Sierra Pacific Resources | 593 | 3,356 | Reno |
| International Game Technology | 741 | 2,512 | Reno |
| Boyd Gaming | 768 | 2,398 | Las Vegas |