Nevada Homeland Security and Emergency Services Resources

Being the driest state in the nation, much of Nevada is still uninhabited and covered in sagebrush just like early explorers must have seen it. The states yearly rainfall only averages about 7" and the driest area gets less than 4" of rain each year. Although, the wettest region does get about 40" annually.

Spain claimed the region in the 1500's, but when Mexico won it's independence from Spain, it gained control over Nebraska. The U.S. acquired Nevada in 1848 after the Mexican War. In 1854, it was admitted as part of the Utah Territory; it became the Nevada Territory in 1861 and became the 36th state on October 31, 1864.

The first settlement, called Mormon Station was founded in 1849 near Carson City. A decade later, the Comstock Lode, the richest silver deposit in the U.S. was discovered and the state became famous. The Comstock mines have produced large amounts of silver, copper, lead, gold, mercury, zinc, tungsten and barite.

In 1931, Nevada created two new industries, gambling and divorce! The entertainment and gambling capital of the United States, Nevada's gambling taxes generate about 34 percent of the general tax revenues. At one time known as the "divorce capital of the nation", more liberal laws for divorce in other states have ended this status.

The leading agricultural industry in the state is cattle and calves. Crops are mainly wheat, potatoes, barley, alfalfa seed and hay. But, the state also has a strong base in manufacturing including gaming equipment, titanium products, seismic monitoring devices, lawn and garden irrigation devices and even specialty printing.