NEVADA
TRAVEL INFORMATION
The state’s
name is from Spanish meaning “Snow-capped”, a fact often
missed by travelers through Nevada’s desert. The state does have
a wide diversity of cultures, landscape, weather, and recreation,
including 15 downhill and 13 cross-country ski areas. The 7th largest
state in land-mass with 110,000 square miles, it has a population
of nearly 1.6 million people and became a state on October 31, 1864.
Known as the ”Silver State” because of the amount of silver
mined here, today it is acknowledged as the most famous gaming destination
in the world. Nevada is in the Pacific Time Zone.
HISTORY:
More than 11,000 years ago the Anasazi people, known as the “ancient
ones,” lived and hunted along the shores of Lake Lahontan,
an ancient inland sea covering most of the state and parts of Utah.
Signs of their culture can still be seen today. Over the years there
have been as many as 27 different Native American tribes in Nevada.
Today there are three main tribes: Shoshone, Southern Paiute and
Washoe. Nevada’s early development by the white man is tied
to Utah, since the first settlement was by Mormons in 1849 at Mormon
Station, now Genoa, near Carson City. Nevada was admitted as part
of the Utah Territory in 1854 by the Federal government and as its
own territory in 1861. Mining (silver, gold, copper), railroading,
ranching and gambling have deep roots in the state. These industries,
along with tourism, are the major sources for the state’s economy.
GEOGRAPHY:
Seventy-five percent of the state is part of the Great Basin Desert.
It is also part of the Mojave Desert. And yet it has more than 200
individual mountain ranges, with its northwestern border comprising
the eastern side of the great Sierra Nevada range. There are ten
rivers in Nevada, with at least four of them going nowhere. In the
southern part of the state you find deeply eroded red rock canyons
and unique formations along the mighty Colorado River, as it heads
south in to Mexico.
CLIMATE:
Nevada’s climate is dry and hot. Yet parts of northern Nevada
enjoys four seasons, with varying temperatures. Winters in the north
are cold, with snow in the mountains from late November to April.
In the south they are milder, except in the mountains. Summers in
the north are warm, with cool nights, especially the mountains.
In the south, temperatures get hot, but nights are comfortable.
Take special caution when traveling in the desert during summer
months. Always carry extra water and supplies. Fall and spring temperatures
are mild and delightful.
TOUR
SUMMARY:
Tour 1 begins in Wells on I-80 and shows northeastern Nevada. Battle
Mountain, further west on I-80, begins Tour 2 and explores the western
portion of central Nevada. Tour 3 starts in Reno and presents a
flavor of the mountains and desert. Tours 4 and 5 begin in Las Vegas;
4 goes north into the western and central sections of the state,
while 5 heads south to Lake Mead and Lake Mojave.
TRAVELING
HINTS:
Speed limits in Nevada are generally 75 mph. Mountainous winter
travel is hazardous. For road conditions in Nevada call the following
numbers using area code 702: Northern-Reno-793-1313, Northeastern-Elko-738-8888
and Southern-Las Vegas-486-3116. Some highways and roads are open
on a seasonal basis. When traveling backroads, be prepared for emergencies
with extra water, spare tires and gas. Check road conditions with
Highway Patrol, Rangers or other local officials. State Welcome
Centers, where travel information is available, are located on major
highways leading into the state: south-Boulder City, on US 93 near
the Arizona border, Jean, on I-15 near California border, and Mesquite,
on I-15 near Utah Border. In the northeast, it is at Wendover on
I-80. Nevada Commission on Tourism is in Carson City, 800-NEVADA-8
or 687-4322.
FOR EMERGENCIES CALL 911.
FOR HIGHWAY PATROL: DIAL OPERATOR -ASK FOR ZENITH 1-2000.
Area
Code Statewide: 702
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