Nevada

Nevada is a western US state best known for the bright lights of Las Vegas and its expansive desert basins. Its capital is Carson City, while Las Vegas is by far the largest city. Nicknamed the Silver State, it is the driest state in the country and a center of gaming and entertainment.

Nevada lies almost entirely within the arid Great Basin, a landscape of parallel mountain ranges and desert valleys, with the Mojave Desert in the south. Lake Tahoe straddles its western border. The climate is dry, with hot summers and cold mountain winters.

Nevada culture revolves around Las Vegas, a global capital of casinos, shows and conventions, alongside a libertarian frontier streak and growing outdoor recreation. Mining heritage and wide-open spaces shape its identity.

Spurred by the discovery of the Comstock Lode silver deposit, Nevada became the 36th state in 1864, during the Civil War. The legalization of gambling in 1931 transformed Las Vegas into a world entertainment destination.