Nevada

Nevada, one of the largest, but the least populous, of the United States of America, lies between California and Utah, having Oregon on the north-west and Arizona on the south-east. Its lakes and "playas" are the remains of what was once a great inland sea. Numerous ranges of mountains traverse the country, the remainder of which is a plateau about 4,000 feet above the sea level. The only river of importance is the Humboldt, which runs across the north of Nevada, from cast to west. The climate is very dry, and in some districts it is said that no rain falls for two or three succeeding years. Hot springs are a feature of the country, which is of great interest to the geologist. In 1859 the discovery of silver began to attract settlers. The output of this metal has since been very large. Nevada became a state of the Union in 1864. It is divided into thirteen counties. The capital is Carson, the only other towns of importance being Virginia City, and Gold Hill. The state university is at Reno.