Nevada

Nevada The state of Nevada (110,561 square miles) is unique unto itself and has a number of interesting and unusual characteristics. If you love the sun, stable weather and hot, dry summers and dislike dripping humidity and torrential rain, Nevada is the place for you. "The Silver State" was given this name because of the huge silver strike at the famous Comstock Lode Silver Mine discovered in 1859 which resulted in over $500 million being taken from the mine over a period of twenty years. This strike brought a large number of settlers into Nevada and statehood was consequently achieved in 1864. Nevada, with Carson City as its capital, is bordered by Oregon on the Northwest, Idaho on the Northeast, Utah on the East, Arizona on the Southeast and California on the West. Known for its gaming industry and the large number of casinos throughout the state, Nevada is the only state to have legalized prostitution. Brothels are permitted throughout Nevada - with the exception of Las Vegas. However, there are several within easy driving distance that are quite popular with tourists (and probably with residents). For the past sixty years in a row, Nevada was the fastest growing state in the US with a population of 2,414,807. However, as of 2006, it has taken second place to Arizona which grew 3.5% in the past year to bypass Nevada at 2.8%. With over 5,000 new residents per month pouring into the state, only time will tell if Nevada will regain its lead. The most populous cities in the state are Las Vegas, Henderson, Reno, North Las Vegas and Sparks. Some of the reasons that Nevada has had such an increase in population growth over the years are considered "sins" in other states but have become "good business" in this state such as: a residency requirement of only six weeks to obtain a divorce casinos and legalized gambling quickie wedding chapels legalized brothels many pawnshops The ten richest places in Nevada - ranked by per capita income - are as follows: 1. Incline Village-Crystal Bay $52,521 2. Kingsbury $41,451 3. Mount Charleston $38,821 4. Verdi-Mogul $38,233 5. Zephyr Cove-Round Hill Village $37,218 6. Summerlin South $33,017 7. Blue Diamond $30,479 8. Minden $30,405 9. Boulder City $29,770 10. Spanish Springs $26,908 Institutions of higher learning in Nevada are as follows: Nevada Colleges and universities Sierra Nevada College Nevada System of Higher Education University of Nevada, Reno (UNR) University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) Nevada State College at Henderson Truckee Meadows Community College (TMCC) Great Basin College Community College of Southern Nevada (CCSN) Western Nevada Community College Touro University Nevada University of Southern Nevada Although every state has at least one form of gambling, Las Vegas has a special identity that draws visitors from all over the rest of the United States, Europe and Asia - especially tourists from Japan. This has resulted in Las Vegas having more than twice the number of conventions than Chicago which is its closest competitor. Employment in the large cities in Nevada is healthy and there are usually a number of job openings in the many hotels and casinos in the state which do not necessarily require prior experience in the industry.