Nebraska (original) (raw)

Nebraska

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State nickname: Cornhusker State
Other U.S. States
Capital Lincoln
Largest City Omaha
Area - Total - Land - Water - % water Ranked 16th 200,520 km�19,275 km� 1,247 km� 0.6%
Population - Total (2000) - Density Ranked 38th 1,711,263 8.5/km�
Admittance into Union - Order - Date 37th March 1, 1867
Time zone Central: UTC-6/-5Mountain: UTC-7/-6 Eastern NE is Central, Western NE is Mountain
LatitudeLongitude 40°N to 43°N95°25'W to 104°W
WidthLengthElevation-Highest-Mean-Lowest 340 km 690 km 1,653 meters790 meters256 meters
ISO 3166-2: US-NE

Nebraska is a midwestern State of the United States. Nebraska gets its name from a Native American word meaning "flat water", after the Platte River that flows through the State. Once considered part of the Great American Desert, it is now a leading farming state. Nebraskans have practiced scientific farming to turn the Nebraska prairie into a land of ranches and farms. Much of the history of the State is the story of the impact of the Nebraska farmer.

History

The Kansas-Nebraska Act became law on May 30, 1854 which established the US territories of Nebraska and Kansas. The territorial capital of Nebraska was Omaha.

In the 1860s, the first great wave of homesteaderss poured into Nebraska to claim free land granted by the federal government. Many of the first farm settlers built their homes out of sod because they found so few trees on the grassy land.

Nebraska became the 37th state in 1867, shortly after the Civil War. At that time, the capital was moved from Omaha to a town that was renamed Lincoln after the recently assassinated President Abraham Lincoln.

Arbor Day began in Nebraska. The National Arbor Day Foundation is still headquartered in Nebraska City.

Law and Government

Nebraska is the only state in the United States with a unicameral legislature, that is a legislature with only one house. Although this house is known simply as the "Legislature", its members still call themselves "Senators".

See List of Nebraska Governors.

Geography

Nebraska is bordered by South Dakota to the north; Iowa and Missouri to the east, across the Missouri River; Kansas to the south; Colorado to the southwest, and Wyoming to the west. The largest city in Nebraska is Omaha, and the capital is Lincoln. The state has 93 counties; see List of Nebraska counties.

In regional terms, Nebraska is located in the Great Plains, at the westernmost extent of the Grain Belt. The eastern portion of the State can be considered part of the "Midwest", while the western and central portions are part of the "West", although the distinction between these regions is somewhat fluid. Indeed, one of Nebraska's mottos is "Where the West begins", and a local legend even has it that the West begins precisely at the intersection of 13th and O Streets in Lincoln (where it is marked by a red brick star).

Economy

Nebraska is known for its agriculture, especially beef and corn (aka maize).

Demographics

Nebraska's population as of 2000 is 1,711,263.

Important Cities and Towns

Largest Cities and Towns

1.

Omaha

Largest Urban Areas

Omaha-Bellevue-Papillion-La Vista Metro Area

Education

Colleges and Universities

Bellevue University

Chadron State College

Sports Teams

Miscellaneous Information

The USS Nebraska was named in honor of this State.

Nebraska is also the name of a 1982 album by Bruce Springsteen, widely considered one of his best.

Kool-Aid was created by Edwin Perkinsin Hastings, Nebraska.

The world's largest train yard, Union Pacific's Bailey Yard, is located in North Platte, Nebraska

Further Reading