Land

Major part of Nevada belongs to the Great Basin, which is a plateau distinguished by isolated mountain ranges and separated by dry basins. Most of these ranges are short, up to 75 mi (121 km) long and 15 mi (24 km) wide, and rise to altitudes of 7,000–10,000 ft (2,100–3,000m). The important ranges are the Schell Creek, Ruby, Toiyabe, and Carson (within the Sierra Nevada). Boundary Peak at 13,140 ft (4,007 m), is Nevada's highest point.
Nevada has numerous large lakes and saline marshes known as sinks. Pyramid is the largest lake in Nevada with an area of 188 sq mi (487 sq km). Nevada shares Lake Tahoe with California, and Lake Mead, created by Hoover Dam on the Colorado River, with Arizona. Streams become dry during the summer months while some flow into local lakes or sinks without reaching the sea. Humboldt is the longest river of Nevada. The Walker, Truckee, and Carson rivers drain the western part of Nevada. The canyon carved by Colorado, forms the extreme southeastern boundary of the state, is the site of Nevada's lowest elevation, 479 ft (146 m).

Climate

Nevada experiences wide variations in daily temperatures. The climate is normally dru and sunny. The normal daily temperature at Reno is 49°F (9°C), ranging from 32°F (0°C) in January to 69°F (21°C) in July. Nevada is the driest state in the US. However, it receives abundant snowfall in the mountains reaching almost 60 inches in a year.

Flora and Fauna

The single-leaf pinon is the state tree of Nevada and dominates most of Nevada’s woodlands. Creosote bush and sagebrush are abundant throughout the state. Shooting star and white and yellow violets are the important wildflowers available in Nevada. In 2003, eight plant species which were listed as threatened or endangered included Amargosa niterwort and steamboat buckwheat.
The black bear cottontail rabbit, pronghorn antelope, white-tailed and mule deer,, Rocky Mountain elk, and river otter are the important native animals of the state. Grouse, pheasant, partridge, and quail are the leading game birds. . Rare and protected reptiles are the Gila monster and desert tortoise. The US Fish and Wildlife Service listed 30 Nevada animal species as threatened or endangered in 2003 which included six species of dace, the desert tortoise, three species of pupfish, and three species of chub.

People

Nevada’s population constitutes about 135,477 black Americans a sharp rise from 79,000 in 1990. The American Indian population was 26,420 in 2000, down from 31,000 in 1990. Major tribes in Nevada include the Washo, Northern Paiute, Southern Paiute, and Shoshoni.
In 2000, Hispanics and Latinos numbered about 393,970.

In 2000, Nevada had 331,844 Roman Catholics, representing an increase in membership by 111% from 1990. The 2nd-largest single denomination was the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons) with 116,925 adherents. Other major Protestant groups include Southern Baptists, Assemblies of God Evangelical Lutherans and United Methodists. There were an estimated 77,100 Jews living in Nevada in 2000 representing an increase of 277% from 1990. Muslims numbered about 2,291 and there were about 1,124 adherents to the Bahai faith.