Nebraska

The Cornhusker State Established 1867, 37th State

Climate

Average Seasonal High and Low Temperatures # Spring: 61/36°F # Summer: 86/60°F # Fall: 63/37°F # Winter: 37/14°F

Geography

Most of Nebraska is part of the Great Plains. This is the huge area of rolling flatlands covering many states in America's Midwest. Nebraska's Sand Hills, part of the Great Plains, are large stretches of grass-covered sand dunes. In fact, they are the biggest area of sand dunes in the western hemisphere. Only two sand dune areas in the world are larger: the Arabian and Sahara deserts. Unlike these deserts, though, Nebraska's Sand Hills have streams and grass, so they are a great place to raise cattle. The state also has many unusual rock formations, like the famous Chimney Rock. These rock formations helped guide pioneers traveling through Nebraska on their way west. Nebraska's 77,358 square miles (200,356 sq km) make it the 16th largest state.

Resources and Economy

About 95 percent of Nebraska land is devoted to agriculture. This is a higher percentage than any other state. Ranching is the most important agricultural industry. The state has millions of cows. They graze on the plains where herds of buffalo used to wander. Corn is the biggest crop. With all that cattle and corn, food processing is naturally Nebraska's largest manufacturing industry. Food processing factories take raw products from the farm or ranch and turn them into something you can buy at the grocery store. These factories produce things like breakfast cereal, flour, milk, soup, popcorn, and ice cream. Newer industries, like telecommunications, have also helped Nebraska become a state with little unemployment.

Population

1,774,571

Government

Capital:
State Abbreviation: NE
Governor: Dave Heineman (Republican)
U.S. Senators: 2
Chuck Hagel (Republican)
Ben Nelson (Democrat)
U.S. Representatives: 3
    Republicans: 3
    Democrats 0
State Senators: 49
State Representatives: 0
Counties: 93

Fun Facts

# Nebraska is a Native American (Oto) word meaning `broad, flat water.` # The University of Nebraska's football team, the Cornhuskers, is often one of the best college teams in the country. They draw sellout crowds because their games are some of the year's most important events. # Hebron is home to the world's largest porch swing, which seats 25 people. # The Cornhusker nickname is a tribute to those early Nebraskans who husked corn by hand. # Nebraska is home to the world's largest mammoth (a prehistoric elephant) fossil. # Buffalo Bill Cody started the first rodeo show in North Platte in 1882. # Alliance has a large replica of Stonehenge made up of 38 old cars. It is named Carhenge. # The first Arbor Day was celebrated in Nebraska in 1872. It is estimated more than one million trees were planted in the state with prizes awarded to the people who properly planted the most number of trees. # Gerard and Edwin Perkins of Hastings invented Kool-Aid in 1927. The town still holds an annual Kool-Aid Days festival. # The Lewis and Clark, Mormon, Oregon, and Pony Express historic trails all passed through Nebraska