50 States: Nevada

NEVADA

The birthday of Nevada is October 31, 1864.  It is our 36th state.  There are roughly 2.8 million people, Nevadans, living in this state.  It is 7th biggest state and the 35th most populous.  The capital is Carson City, named after the frontiersman Kit Carson.  He was also a scout for expeditions through the Rocky Mountains and served as colonel in the U.S. Army during the Civil War.

The largest city in Nevada is Las Vegas.  Nearly 40 million people visit this city every year for the shows and the gaming.  Lake Tahoe is another famous place to visit.  It is divided between California and Nevada.  Rachel, Nevada, caters to UFO enthusiasts with restaurants and hotels that are alien themed.

Besides the interesting cities, folks who travel to Nevada can see the Hoover Dam.

They can also see Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area and catch a race at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway.  They can take a tour of the Ethel M Chocolate Factory in Henderson.  The National Atomic Testing Museum is just north of Las Vegas, and the Bonnie Springs Ranch is in Blue Diamond.  Gearheads will love the National Automobile Museum in Reno.  There are also zoos, water parks, amusement parks, and national parks.

Not surprisingly, one of the major industries in Nevada is tourism.  They also mine for gold and silver and produce hydroelectric power.  Nevada's gold and silver helped the Union Army during the Civil War.  The Comstock Lode was the first large-scale silver discovery in the United States.  

Nevada means "snowcapped."  The highest point here is Boundary Peak at 13,143 feet.  The lowest point is the Colorado River where it forms the border with California.  It is still 479 feet above sea level.

Nevada's nicknames are the Silver State and Sagebrush State.  The motto is "All for Our Country."  It was added at the same time that Nevada became a state.  The official state flag was adopted on March 26, 1929, but it was revised in the 1990s.  In the top left corner, it has a sagebrush, Nevada's state flower, and a silver star that represents the mineral riches of Nevada.  A yellow ribbon displays the words "Battle Born."

Nevada's state symbols are:

Bird...Mountain bluebird

Animal...Desert Bighorn Sheep

Reptile...Desert tortoise

Fish...Lahontan Cutthroat trout

Fossil...Ichthyosaur

Flower...Sagebrush

Trees...Single leaf pinon and bristlecone pine

Metal...Silver

Colors...Silver and blue

There have been at least 12 famous people born in Nevada, including:

Andre Agassi...tennis player

Kyle Busch...race car driver

Pat Nixon...first lady

Harry Reid...U.S. representative

Kevin Rose...computer entrepreneur

Sarah Winnemucca...Native American activist and journalist

Nevada was originally inhabited by Indians of the Paiute, Walapai, Washoe, and Western Shoshone tribes.

If you are interested in learning more about Nevada through interactive games, try Learning Games for Kids online.

The following are resources about Nevada that are available through christianbook.com.

Nevada By Melissa Fairley, Jonathan Brown & Catherine Gardner(Editor) / Gareth Stevens Publishing Bolster students' knowledge of the state they live in! Discover the history of the state, including Native American history, colonial history, and modern history, and learn about the current demographics of the state, the land itself, the economy, state government, and cultural attractions. "Fun Facts," "Famous people," and "In history" sidebars provide interesting tidbits of information. Full-color photographs, timeline, glossary, and index included. 32 pages, softcover. Grades 2-4.

Nevada By Janet Craig, Jackie Ball(Editor) & Kristen Behrens(Editor) / Gareth Stevens Publishing

Nevada Wildlife Viewing Guide By Globe Pequot From Red Rock Canyon's breathtaking sandstone cliffs, to the bountiful wetlands of Ruby Lake, to the aspen groves and alpine lakes of scenic Lamoille Canyon, the Nevada Wildlife Viewing Guide will lead you to fifty-five premier wildlife viewing areas and will better your chances of seeing wildlife once you get there. Included are detailed descriptions of each viewing site, maps and access information, helpful viewing tips, and more than forty color photographs featuring Nevada's wildlife and scenic natural areas.

Nevada History Project Book, Grades 3-8 By Carole Marsh / Gallopade International History projects include creating a cartoon panel describing how our state name may have come about, dressing up as a famous explorer, and recreating their main discovery and more! Grades K-8; ages 5-15.

Nevada Pocket Guide, Grades 3-8 By Carole Marsh / Gallopade International The perfect reference guide. This handy 4" x 6", easy-to-use guide is divided into seven color-coded sections which include basics, history, geography, people, places, nature, and more! Riddles, recipes, and surprising facts make this guide a delight! Available for all 50 states! Grades 3-8; ages 8-14.

Andre Agassi: On the Court with... - eBook By Matt Christopher / Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

Where Sin Abounds: A Religious History of Las Vegas By Stanley A. Steward / Wipf & Stock