Nevada

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settled in the Moapa Valley around AD. 100 and belonged to the Pueblo culture, were Anasazi Indians. In 1776 the area was explored by Spaniards, and thereafter became part of the Spanish vice-royalty of New Spain. In 1848 it was ceded by Mexico to the United States. Until 1861 it was joined with Utah in a U.S. territory; then on October 31st 1864 it became the 36th state of the Union. After the Second World War numerous tests of atom bombs were carried out in the Nevada desert.

Economy

Nevada and the cities of Las Vegas and Reno have tourism as the state's principal source of income, to which the holiday areas on Lake Tahoe and Lake Mead also make contributions. Mining (particularly gold, silver, copper and iron) is also an important element in the economy. Nevada's processing industries are mainly iron smelting, the chemical industry and woodworking. Agriculture is almost entirely confined to pastoral farming.