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Nevada Facts & Worksheets

Nevada is a state in the Western, Mountain West, and Southwestern regions of the United States. Nevada is the 7th most extensive, the 35th most populated, and the 9th least densely populated of the 50 United States.

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Nevada is a state in the Western, Mountain West, and Southwestern regions of the United States. Nevada is the 7th most extensive, the 35th most populated, and the 9th least densely populated of the 50 United States. 

See the fact file below for more information about Nevada, or download the comprehensive Nevada worksheet pack, which can be utilized within the classroom or home environment.

Key Facts and Information

Nevada

  • Nevada is a state in the Western region of the United States. It is bordered by California to the west, Oregon to the northwest, Idaho to the northeast, Utah to the east, and Arizona to the southeast.
  • Before the arrival of any Europeans, the earliest inhabitants were tribes of Native Americans.
  • Nevada became the 36th state in 1864 and is also known as the “Silver State” due to the importance of silver to both its history and economy.
  • Nevada is the 7th largest state in the U.S. and the 9th-least densely populated, with just over 3 million inhabitants.
  • Capital: Carson City, approximate population of 55,000.
  • Total Area of the State of Nevada: 110,577 sq mi (286,382 km2) 
  • Major Cities: Las Vegas, Henderson, Paradise, Reno, Sunrise Manor
  • Major Rivers: The Humboldt River, Colorado River, and Truckee River
  • State Symbols
    • Bird – Mt. Bluebird. The mountain bluebird resides in Nevada all year round. This bird lives in the high country areas and can be heard singing its warbled song all year round, which earned it its status.

    • Flower – Sagebrush. The Sagebrush is an aromatic shrub and a large part of Nevada’s ecosystem. The Native Americans used its medicinal purposes. 

    • Animal – Bighorn Sheep. This sheep is unique to the Sierra Nevada mountains of California.

    • Tree – Single-Leaf Pinon. This aromatic pine tree, with short, stiff needles and gnarled branches, is native to North America and grows well in coarse, rocky soils and rock crevices.

History

  • Before Spanish explorers arrived in the 18th century, Nevada had been inhabited for centuries by the Shoshone, Quoeech, Mohave, Paiute, Washoe, and Walapai tribes. They lived in small villages and built dome-shaped homes called wigwams or wikiups.
  • The Spanish were the first Europeans to explore the region in the 1770s, but it was not until later that fur traders ventured into the Rocky Mountains and made the area known.
  • The Spaniards called the region Nevada meaning “snow-covered” or “snowy” because the snow which covered the mountains in winter was similar to the area of Sierra Nevada in Spain. 
  • After their victory in the Mexican–American War in 1848, the Americans annexed the area and then incorporated it as part of Utah in 1850. 
  • Nevada’s first non-native permanent settlement, Mormon Station, was established in 1851. It later became known as Genoa.
  • The discovery of silver and gold in the area in 1859 drew thousands of people from across the country, and the town of Virginia City was created almost overnight. 
  • Before the presidential election of 1864, it became part of the union. Its statehood helped Abraham Lincoln‘s presidential election.
  • The federal government owns over 80% of the state’s area. 

Climate, Flora, and Fauna

  • Nevada is the driest state in the U.S. and is divided into arid and semi-arid regions. Some areas average only seven inches of rain in a year.
  • The winter season in northern Nevada, December to February, is long and cold, with snow a common feature.
  • The vegetation of Nevada is diverse, but despite aridity and rugged terrain, it has a considerable variety of vegetation.
  • In the lower desert areas, more than 30 varieties of cacti flourish, along with yucca, mesquite, creosote, and greasewood.
  • Joshua trees and Sagebrush grow at higher elevations.
  • Native to Nevada is the perennial shrub Desert globemallow (Sphaeralcea ambigua), sometimes called apricot mallow for the color and shape of the flowers. 
  • Nevada is known for its large desert bighorn sheep, which have adapted well to living in the desert.
  • Wildlife in Nevada includes coyotes, mountain lions, deer, wolves, scorpions, snakes, lizards, spiders, falcons, owls, hawks, desert tortoise, bats, and horned toads. Small mammals include beavers and jackrabbits.

General information

  • Nevada is a landlocked state located in the middle of the Great Basin and consists mostly of desert. 
  • It is a land of extremes, both in geography and climate, where a desert climate reigns supreme.
  • Nevada has vast undeveloped lands with largely unexplored resources. 
  • It is also a combination of huge cities and vast desert regions.
  • Nevada is, however, known for many things besides its desert landscapes.
  • It has a rich history, a diverse culture, and a variety of natural wonders, including the Valley of Fire State Park and Lake Tahoe.
  • It also has many casinos and offers a vibrant nightlife filled with shows and concerts. 

Economy

Tourism

  • The economy of Nevada is tied mainly to entertainment and gambling, with the tourism industry being Nevada’s largest employer.
  • There are over 400 casinos in the state of Nevada, with the four main casino areas being Las Vegas, Lake Tahoe, Laughlin, and Reno.
  • Las Vegas, Nevada’s largest city, is a place that most people have heard about. It offers five-star resorts, unrivaled entertainment, world-class restaurants, and amazing shopping, so something for everyone. Apart from the casinos, Las Vegas entertainment is abundant and varied. It has hundreds of venues/stages offering everything from pop star concerts, comedy shows, major boxing events, Cirque du Soleil, and much more.

Mining

  • Nevada is the fourth-largest producer of gold in the world and a substantial sector of the economy.
  • Nevada also has a variety of minerals, such as iron, lithium, and molybdenum, which are used in the manufacturing of consumer and commercial goods.

Farming

  • Nevada’s agriculture depends largely on irrigation, with both farmers and ranchers pumping groundwater for their livestock and crops. A far greater area is rangeland for cattle and, while ranching continues to expand, croplands decline.
  • Nevada’s agricultural products include cattle, dairy products, hay, alfalfa, potatoes, onions, wheat, and barley. 
  • Cattle ranching and sheep rearing are major economic activities in rural Nevada. 
  • Over 90% of Nevada’s 484,000 acres (196,000 ha) of cropland is used to grow feed for livestock. 

Famous Citizens

  • Andre Agassi, a retired professional tennis player, was born in Las Vegas, Nevada. Agassi dropped out of school in the ninth grade to pursue a full-time career in tennis and turned professional at 16. He retired in 2006 and lives in the town he was born in.
  • Greg Maddux, a major league baseball player, was born in San Angelo, Texas but graduated from high school in Las Vegas and still lives in his hometown of Las Vegas. 
  • Pat Nixon, a 1st Lady of the United States, was born in the small mining town of Ely in Nevada. 
  • Steve Wynn is a big name in the casino business in Nevada. 

Nevada Worksheets

This fantastic bundle includes everything you need to know about Nevada across in-depth pages. These ready-to-use Nevada worksheets are perfect for teaching students about Nevada, a state in the Western, Mountain West, and Southwestern regions of the United States. Nevada is the 7th most extensive, the 35th most populated, and the 9th least densely populated of the 50 United States.

Download includes the following worksheets:

  • Nevada Facts
  • Before “The Silver State”
  • Locate Nevada
  • Famous Citizens
  • Sight Seeing
  • The State Flag
  • Casino Royale
  • Name the Symbol
  • City Search
  • First Lady From Nevada
  • Now, I Know

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Nevada have a flag?

Yes, Nevada has a flag. It has a dark blue background with an emblem in the upper hoist corner, which includes a wreath, a star, the name of the state, and the inscription “Battle born.”

What is Nevada known for?

Nevada is known for its many things, including a variety of natural wonders, beautiful desert landscapes, towering mountains, crystalline lakes, large casinos, and vibrant nightlife.

Does it snow in Nevada?

Nevada winters are short, very cold, snowy, and windy, so there is snow in parts of Nevada, especially in the northwestern regions near the mountain ranges. In contrast, the summers in Nevada are hot and muggy.

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Use With Any Curriculum

These worksheets have been specifically designed for use with any international curriculum. You can use these worksheets as-is, or edit them using Google Slides to make them more specific to your own student ability levels and curriculum standards.

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