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Along the California border are the towering snowcapped peaks of the Sierra Nevada, which gave the state its name. Beyond are vast stretches of desert, interrupted in places by rugged mountain ranges. Cities like Las Vegas and Reno reveal a third side of Nevada. At night, the neon lights of their casinos and hotels can be seen from miles away.
Nevada became part of the U.S. in 1848, at the end of the Mexican War. Several Native American groups lived in the region at that time. In 1859, the discovery of gold and silver especially the riches of the famous silver mine known as the Comstock Lode, at Virginia City drew thousands of settlers and prospectors. Mining is still an important part of the state's economy. But today, tourism is Nevada's greatest source of income. About 30 million people visit the state each year. Many come to gamble in the casinos and catch the shows at nightclubs in Las Vegas and Reno. Others come to ski or enjoy the resorts around beautiful Lake Tahoe, on the California border. These attractions have led many people to move to Nevada permanently, making it the fastest-growing state in the country. This rapid growth has strained the state's resources, especially its scarce water supply.
Nevada's population is one of the fastest growing in the country. Although it is only the 35th largest state with a population of 1,998,257 (2000 census), the population increased by 650 percent from 1950 to 1990, and by 66.3 percent between 1990 and 2000.
About 88 percent of Nevadans live in cities. Las Vegas and Reno have the largest populations. Most of the people who now live in Nevada were not born there. Almost 75 percent of Nevadans were born in another state or country. The discovery of silver in Nevada in 1859 caused an influx of settlers from all over the world. People from over 25 different countries settled in Nevada, creating a blend of their customs and heritage that is uniquely Nevadan.
About 75 percent of the people are white. African Americans make up about 7 percent; Asian Americans some 4.5 percent; and Native Americans a little more than 1 percent; about 8 percent are of other racial backgrounds. Today there are approximately 25,000 Native Americans in Nevada. Many of these are members of the Paiute, Washe, and Shoshone tribes. About half of Nevada's Native Americans live on reservations.
There are between 5,000 and 10,000 descendants of the Basque people in Nevada. The Basques came to Nevada as shepherds from their homes in the Pyrenees Mountains between Spain and France. The Basques have kept alive the traditions of their homeland and celebrate their heritage with colorful festivals.
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The largest religious group in Nevada is the Roman Catholic Church. Almost 25 percent of people who attend church are Roman Catholic. There is a growing Mormon population, as members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints spread westward from Utah. There are many different Protestant groups in Nevada. The largest Protestant groups are the Methodists and the Baptists.
The state department of education runs Nevada's school system. The school system was started in 1861. In 1956, all school districts were combined into 17 county districts that are responsible for providing a quality education to Nevada's children. All children between the ages of 7 to 17 must attend school. More than 95 percent of the children attend public schools.
Nevada spends about $5,160 (1995 statistic) on each student enrolled in school. This is about $700 less than the national average. There is one teacher for every eighteen children in Nevada's schools. Approximately 80 percent of Nevadans have received a high school diploma. In order to improve the quality of education in Nevada, the legislature created educational standards in many academic areas. Passing the High School Proficiency Examination is required before graduation from Nevada's high schools.
Nevada has six public and three private colleges that offer bachelors degrees and advanced degrees. The University of Nevada was established in 1874 at Elko. The campus was moved to Reno in 1886. A branch campus was opened in Las Vegas in 1957. Nevada State College is located in Henderson. There are also several community colleges in Nevada that offer two-year degrees.
Nevada's legislators have approved two programs to help the children of Nevada attend college. In 1997, the Prepaid Tuition plan was passed, which allows parents to begin to pay for their children's education while they are young. Different plans and payment options are available to help make college affordable for all Nevadans. The Millennium Scholarship is also available to students who complete high school with good grades. This scholarship pays for basic tuition costs at Nevada colleges, universities, or community colleges. The Millennium Scholarship has a maximum dollar amount of $10,000.
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