Nevada in the USA – with a multiethnic population that makes a living from tourism and mining. For several election years, Nevada has been developing into a blue state.
- Nevada is a US state with large desert areas.
- Nevada is known for Las Vegas and Area 51.
- Unlike in other US states, there is no white majority in Nevada.
Carson City – The desert state of Nevada in the western United States is best known for the gambling metropolis Las Vegas and the legendary Area 51 of the US military. Large parts of the state are considered a restricted military area. Nevada’s capital is Carson City, which is only the sixth largest city in the state by population.
Nevada was named after the Spanish “sierra nevada” – which means “snow-covered mountain range”. In addition, Nevada bears the unofficial nickname “Silver State” because it has rich silver and gold deposits. Most of Nevada is covered by the “Great Basin” – a sparsely populated and arid landscape. In the northwest there are elevations that belong to the foothills of the Sierra Nevada high mountains.
- ABBREVIATIONFINDER.ORG: Overview of state Nevada, including major cities and most commonly used abbreviations of Nevada.
Nevada Foundation and History
Originally the dry and hot area around Nevada belonged to Mexico, which it had to cede to the USA with the “Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo” after the end of the Mexican-American War (1846 to 1848). In 1850 the “Utah Territory” was established there, where silver and gold were discovered, which attracted many people.
The foundation of today’s Nevada took place in 1864, when it was named the 36th state of the United States. From 1866 it was enlarged: by the western part of the “Utah Territory” and what is now Clark County. During the Great Depression at the beginning of the 20th century, Nevada allowed gambling and Las Vegas began to gain reputation.
During the Second World War, the US military set up large secret bases in Nevada and carried out atomic bomb tests there from 1951. In addition, the army is testing secret military missiles in Area 51.
Nevada: Geography and Cities
The US state of Nevada covers an area of 286, 351 square kilometers and borders five other states: Idaho and Oregon in the north, California in the west, Arizona in the southeast and Utah in the east. The border with Arizona is largely a natural one with the Colorado River.
According to COUNTRYAAH.COM, there are several cities in the dry and hot state – these are the six largest based on the number of inhabitants (status: Census 2010):
- Las Vegas(553, 756 inhabitants)
- Henderson (257, 729 inhabitants)
- Reno (225, 221 inhabitants)
- North Las Vegas (216, 961 inhabitants)
- Sparks (90, 264 inhabitants)
- Carson City (55, 274 inhabitants)
Nevada: Population and the Economy
3. 08 million people live in the US state (as of the US Census 2019). Since 2016, Nevada has been a “majority minority state”. That means: There is no white majority of the population living here. In 2010 (US Census 2010) the population was divided as follows:
- Whiteness: 66. 2 percent
- Hispanic: 26. 5 percent
- African American: 8. 1 percent
- Asian Americans including Filipinos: 7. 2 percent
- Indians: 1. 2 percent
- Hawaiians: 0. 6 percent
The economy of Nevada has its emphasis in tourism. Reasons are the good winter sports opportunities with the Sierra Nevada and the liberal gambling laws. The primary sector with mining and livestock farming is of further economic interest.
Nevada: The state’s voting behavior
Compared to the other US states, the elections in Nevada in 2008, 2012 and 2016 were much more democratic. Reasons for this are the high and democratically oriented population of Latinos and the liberal attitude of the urban citizens, for example in Las Vegas.
Previously, Nevada was considered a “swing state” – in which election victory for both Republicans and Democrats is possible. As a result, the results changed again and again in the 20th century.