|
|
Trappers and traders, including Jedediah Smith
and Peter Skene Ogden, entered the Nevada area in the 1820s. In
1843–1845, John C. Frémont and Kit Carson explored the Great
Basin and Sierra Nevada. The U.S. obtained the region in 1848
following the Mexican War, and the first permanent settlement
was a Mormon trading post near present-day Genoa.
The driest state in the nation, with an average
annual rainfall of only about 7 in., much of Nevada is
uninhabited, sagebrush-covered desert. The wettest part of the
state receives about 40 in. of precipitation per year, while the
driest spot has less than 4 in. per year.
Nevada was made famous by the discovery of the
Comstock Lode, the richest known U.S. silver deposit, in 1859,
and its mines have produced large quantities of gold, silver,
copper, lead, zinc, mercury, barite, and tungsten. Oil was
discovered in 1954. Gold now far exceeds all other minerals in
value of production.
In 1931, the state created two industries,
divorce and gambling. For many years, Reno and Las Vegas were
the “divorce capitals of the nation.” More liberal divorce laws
in many states have ended this distinction, but Nevada is still
the gambling capital of the U.S. and a leading entertainment
center. State gambling taxes account for 34.1% of general fund
tax revenues. Although Nevada leads the nation in per capita
gambling revenue, it ranks only tenth in total gambling revenue.
The state's leading agricultural industry is
cattle and calves. Agricultural crops consist mainly of hay,
alfalfa seed, barley, wheat, and potatoes.
Nevada manufactures gaming equipment; lawn and
garden irrigation devices; titanium products; seismic and
machinery monitoring devices; and specialty printing.
Lake Tahoe, Reno, and Las Vegas are major
resorts. Recreation areas include Pyramid Lake, Lake Tahoe, and
Lake Mead and Lake Mohave, both in Lake Mead National Recreation
Area. Other attractions are Hoover Dam, Virginia City, and Great
Basin National Park (includes Lehman Caves). |
|
