Nevada's name comes from the Spanish word meaning "snow clad" - a reference to the snow-covered peaks of the Sierra Nevada. In October 1864, Nevada was admitted as the 36th state to the Union. Nevada is in a mountain region that includes semiarid grasslands and sandy deserts, and is the most arid (dry) state in the nation. Nevada  is a land of rugged, snow-capped mountains, grassy valleys and sandy deserts. It is also well-known for gambling and nightlife. Large, luxurious casinos in Las Vegas, Lake Tahoe and Reno attract visitors from around the world. Virginia City and other historic Nevada towns remind visitors of the gambling prospectors who went west, a century ago, seeking fortunes in gold and silver. 

GOVERNMENT
Capital: Carson City
Governor: Kenny Guinn, R (to Jan. 2007)
Senators:Harry Reid, D (to Jan. 2005); John Ensign, R (to Jan. 2007)
House of Representatives: 3 districts | Search by zip code

ECONOMY
Total Gross State Product 1999 (millions of dollars): 69,864; National rank: 32; Percent change since 1990: 121%; National Rank based on Growth Rate: 1 (Including Washington, DC)
Per Capita Personal Income 2001: $30,128; National Rank: 18 (99% of the national average)
State Exports 2000 (millions of dollars): 1,423; National Rank: 43
Agriculture: Cattle, hay, dairy products, potatoes.
Industry: Tourism, mining, machinery, printing and publishing, food processing, electric equipment.