Located near the exact center of the U.S., Nebraska is the heart of the Great Plains. Nebraska's entire population was rural just a century ago, but now the trend is toward urban living with two-fifth's of the state's population residing in the state's three metropolitan areas of Omaha, Lincoln, and South Sioux City.
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Lewis and Clark set out to see the "land that is yet to be found" in 1804 and found the land so unfavorable that the first settlement by fur traders was not established until more than twenty years later. The new settlers trickled slowly in, but then in the 1830s the trickle became a stream as missionaries headed west through the state to begin Christianize the Pacific Coast Native Americans.
After the first wagon train crossed the land in 1841, the stream became a river. Nebraska benefited from the outcry for a trans-continental railroad. The Pacific Railroad and Homestead acts brought in countless settlers for the free land offer. Then on December 2, 1862, ground was broken in Omaha for the first trans-continental railroad. Immigration peaked for thirty years between 1860 and 1890.
During this time, flamboyant characters like Wild Bill Hickok and Buffalo Bill Cody dotted the landscape and continually battled the Native American tribes trying to stave off further immigration. These small wars were over by 1877 when Crazy Horse was killed while in prison for fear he would lead another revolt.
Although mostly know for its agricultural output, Nebraska has concentrated recently on income from outside of the farm. Food processing is its largest industry, with flour, dairy and meat products leading the way. Rail transportation is still prevalent along with durable goods manufacturing of electrical machinery, farm equipment, transportation equipment and prefabricated buildings.
The fertile soils grows more native grasses than any other state, which is very conducive to livestock grazing. Corn is the largest cash crop as it is grown on over 30 percent of available farmland, while wheat comes in second in harvest. Riches lie underneath the soil as limestone, sand and gravel account for more than half of the state’s mineral production. Crude oil and natural gas are abundant and there is one of the largest refineries in the world located in Omaha.
The statewide sales tax is 5 percent with local options for increments of up to 1.5 percent. The state levies a 1 percent tax on lodgings and counties are allowed to impose an additional 2 percent tax.
Numerous lakes and reservoirs provide a vast playground for the boating, swimming and water skiing enthusiasts. Canoeing is abundant along the many rivers and fishing for rainbow and brown trout is prevalent in the north and west. More than 200 parks, recreation areas and historical parks are under state management
