Nevada is the seventh largest of the 50 states, but is one of the most sparsely populated. Carson City, in the western part of the state, is the state capital. Gambling is legal in Nevada, and Las Vegas, the state’s largest city, is internationally known for lavish casinos and as an entertainment destination.
Nevada is also home to the Hoover Dam, the largest public works project in United States history, and Lake Mead, the nation’s largest reservoir.
Geography
Nevada is a state located in the western United States. It is bordered by Oregon and Idaho to the north, Utah to the east, Arizona to the southeast, and California to the west. Nevada is a large state that covers an area of 110,561 square miles and has a population of 3 million people.
Nevada is primarily a desert state with hot summers and mild winters. The majority of Nevada’s land area consists of vast desert regions such as Death Valley and the Great Basin Desert. These areas are characterized by sparse vegetation and extreme temperatures that can reach up to 120 degrees Fahrenheit in summer months.
The highest point in Nevada is Boundary Peak at 13,140 feet above sea level, while the lowest point is Badwater Basin at 279 feet below sea level. The Sierra Nevada mountain range runs along much of the western border of Nevada, providing some relief from the surrounding desert terrain. The Sierra Nevada Mountains are home to several ski resorts as well as lush forests filled with pine trees.
The majority of Nevada’s population lives in Las Vegas and Reno, two cities that are among some of the most populous cities in the country. Las Vegas is known for its vibrant nightlife, entertainment venues, gambling establishments, and high-rise hotels that line its famous strip. Reno on other hand is known for its casinos but also for its cultural attractions such as museums and galleries as well as outdoor recreation opportunities like skiing on nearby Mount Rose Ski Resort or visiting Lake Tahoe just east of town.
In addition to these two urban centers there are several smaller towns located throughout Nevada including Ely in White Pine County which was once home to silver mines; Virginia City which was once a booming mining town during silver rush era; Elko which serves as an important hub for ranching industry; Tonopah which was once a thriving mining town; Beatty which serves as gateway to Death Valley National Park; Great Basin National Park which offers visitors stunning views of mountainous terrain; Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area with its dramatic canyons formed by sandstone erosion; Hoover Dam which provides electricity across much of southwestern US; Lake Mead Recreational Area with hundreds of miles shoreline perfect for fishing or boating; Valley Of Fire State Park with stunning red sandstone formations created over 150 million years ago by erosion from wind and water; Goldfield Ghost Town filled with historic buildings from past gold rush era; Sand Mountain Recreation Area offering off-road vehicle enthusiasts over 30 miles trails perfect for exploring this unique landscape amongst others.
Overall, it can be said that despite being primarily a desert state, Nevada offers visitors plenty natural attractions such as mountains ranges, national parks, lakes and reservoirs perfect for outdoor activities like hiking or camping or simply admiring stunning views provided by unique landscapes found nowhere else in world making it truly one-of-a-kind destination worth visiting anytime.
Cities in Nevada
Below are the top 15 cities by population in Nevada. For all cities and towns in the state, please see Nevada cities list.
| Rank | City | Population |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Las Vegas | 634,786 |
| 2 | Henderson | 311,250 |
| 3 | Reno | 259,913 |
| 4 | North Las Vegas | 259,638 |
| 5 | Enterprise | 219,566 |
| 6 | Spring Valley | 217,441 |
| 7 | Sunrise Manor | 196,411 |
| 8 | Paradise | 189,852 |
| 9 | Sparks | 106,900 |
| 10 | Carson City | 57,957 |
| 11 | Whitney | 45,105 |
| 12 | Pahrump | 42,471 |
| 13 | Winchester | 36,307 |
| 14 | Summerlin South | 28,861 |
| 15 | Sun Valley | 22,622 |
Counties in Nevada
The State of Nevada consists of 16 counties. They are:
- Carson City, Nevada
- Churchill County, Nevada
- Clark County, Nevada
- Douglas County, Nevada
- Elko County, Nevada
- Esmeralda County, Nevada
- Eureka County, Nevada
- Humboldt County, Nevada
- Lander County, Nevada
- Lincoln County, Nevada
- Lyon County, Nevada
- Mineral County, Nevada
- Nye County, Nevada
- Pershing County, Nevada
- Storey County, Nevada
- Washoe County, Nevada
- White Pine County, Nevada
