As the fastest growing state in the country, over two-thirds of Nevada's population lives in the Las Vegas metropolitan area. Tourism is the state's leading industry, with more hotel rooms than any place in the world.
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Nevada was originally inhabited by numerous Native American tribes. The barren landscape and treacherous terrain kept many settlers away from the area. In 1845 an ill-fated party perished in the Sierra Nevada during an early winter storm. Word of this mishap spread quickly and proved to be a deterrent for other settlers.
Population remained sparse until the 1859 discovery of gold and silver at Comstock mines near Virginia City. The mines produced beyond expectations and turned the area into a major mining center. During this frantic boom period, a satirical wit joined the Virginia City Territorial Enterprise. By the time he left in 1864, his writings and his pen name, Mark Twain, chronicled the life and times of Nevada mining.
Diversification proved to be the economic answer to a volatile mining industry. Gambling was legalized and brought in further growth. Hard times of the Depression were alleviated by the building of the Hoover Dam to provide electricity to the growing gambling city, Las Vegas. Gambling became the state’s number one industry in the 1950s and continues to be number one today.
One third of all jobs in Nevada is tied to tourism. Many other job seekers are drawn to gambling, which to the visitor is a sport, but to Nevada is big business. Mining continues to be viable business with farming of tomatoes, almonds, figs and grapes.
The statewide sales tax is 6.75 percent (7 percent in Clark County), with local options for an additional 0.25 to 0.50 percent tax. Cities and counties may impose a 1 percent local lodgings tax.
Besides gambling, Nevada is host to many recreational activities. Swimming, boating and golf are popular in Las Vegas and Reno and virtually everywhere in between. The lakes and reservoirs provide ample opportunity to fish and water ski with hunting available in these same areas. The winter sports cluster around Lake Tahoe, with ski resorts abundant and snowmobiling very popular.
