93 Interesting Facts About Nevada

Last updated on June 21st, 2024

70. The biggest deceased polar bear on earth is encased in glass near the coffee shop of an Elko, Nevada, hotel and casino. King is ten-foot-four and weighs in at around 2,200 pounds in his bare feet.

71. The bear ended up on display in Elko after a contest to locate the largest Arctic polar bear. King was also part of a famous Hunter Thompson story that was part of a Rolling Stone Magazine cover story in 1992.

72. In 2009, fishermen got quite scared when they reeled in an alligator at Sunset Park. Alligators are generally not from the desert life in Nevada.

73. There are between 2,500 and 3,500 mountain lions in Nevada. The animals tend to scout for food in about a 100-square-mile area, are loners for the most part, and avoid human contact if possible. If you spot a mountain lion nearby, face it, walk slowly backwards away from it, and try to get to a secure location (like a car or house) as soon as possible. If you run, the lion’s hunting instinct will make it want to chase you.

74. Even though the chances of dangerous deer encounters, as in car crashes, are a common danger, people tend to perceive mountain lions and rattlesnakes as the biggest dangers in Nevada. The truth is that deer-car crashes actually result in hundreds of serious injuries and some deaths every few years, while mountain lion attacks are extremely rare.

75. In the city of Las Vegas, Nevada, people consume about 60,000 pounds of shrimp every day. That’s more than the rest of the US.

76. Nearly two-thirds of the wild horses in the US can be found in Nevada. Most of these animals were brought here during the settlement of the West.

77. Las Vegas, Nevada is known as the “Entertainment Capital of the World.”

78. The films “Sister Act,” “The Muppets,” and many other feature films have been shot in Reno since 1947.

79. The Emerald Caves just outside Las Vegas is one of the best places for kayaking. The sparkling water and towering cliffs draw more than 25,000 kayakers every year.

80. One of the fun ways to explore the railways of Carson City, Nevada, is with a rail bike. Ride the 150-year-old rails over historic bridges and through canyons.

81. The Sierra Nevada mountain range has one of the world’s most challenging bike trails. A popular event is riding the Wild Sierra Challenge.

82. Even though Nevada is east of California, driving from Los Angeles to Reno, you must go west. That is because of the layout of the border between these two states.

83. One of Reno’s top tourist destinations, the National Automobile Museum is an interactive collection of displays, activities, and one-of-a-kind vehicles from history and the future. There are four galleries full of historic cars, odd vehicles and even some of the Moon Rover contraptions.

84. Top attractions at the National Automobile Museum include a 1913 Mercer, a 1961 Beatnik Bandit, and a 1907 Thomas Flyer.

85. One of the largest cultural events in the U.S., the Burning Man festival (the symbolic ritual burning of a large wooden effigy), takes place each year in the Black Rock Desert, nearly 100 miles north of Reno. The festival draws upwards of 67,000 attendees and was first held in 1986.

86. “Way out in the land of the setting sun,” is the first line of a song written by Bertha Rafetto in 1932. In 1933, the Nevada State Legislature adopted Bertha’s song, entitled “Home Means Nevada” as the official state song.

87. Because sagebrush is indigenous to Nevada, it has become their official State Flower. Natives from Nevada use it for medicinal purposes, and weave mats are made from it.

88. In the high country of Nevada is the beautiful mountain bluebird. It was adopted by the people of Nevada in 1967 to be their official State Bird.

89. More than 300 couples are getting married daily in Las Vegas, Nevada. It is one of the most popular wedding venues in the US and the world.

90. The most fans of Elvis Presley are in Nevada, with all the impersonators in Las Vegas. You’ll find Elvis wherever you go in Las Vegas.

91. To hula hoop in Fremont Street, Downtown Las Vegas, is illegal if it’s over four feet in diameter. The law is meant for street entertainers performing to earn money.

92. Eureka, Nevada, is not the best place for men with mustaches. They are prohibited from kissing a woman. The law may be outdated and not enforced anymore, but it is still in place.

93. Weird and ugly-looking carpets in the casinos in Las Vegas are there for a reason. Experts claim that these quirky carpets make people want to gamble more.

Food facts about Nevada

A traditional dessert after a nice meal is the peach cobbler, much loved in Nevada. It is an iconic dish you’ll find anywhere in the state.

You’ll find many creative sushi dishes all over Nevada with exciting ingredients. Many unique recipes have been used with this Japanese dish adopted by Nevada residents.

Another famous food type in Nevada is onions, and especially the snack onion rings. Various red, white, and yellow onions grow in this region.

Prime rib is the leading comfort food in Nevada, but mainly in Las Vegas. The classic dish is served in most eating places around the city and the state.

A beloved cocktail, locals in Nevada enjoy at gatherings, is the Picon Punch Cocktail. It consists of a unique blend of intense flavors with a hint of sweetness.

Another snack food in Nevada is chicken wings, which you will find all over the state. It is served with all types of seasonings and sauces for an interesting variety.

One of the most popular dishes in Nevada is the shrimp cocktail, first created in Las Vegas in the 1950s. It is often served as an appetizer or mid-day snack.

Another favorite of Nevada for the sweet tooth is glazed doughnuts. Its name comes from the thin glazed layer covering the surface in many colors and flavors.

A type of beef tenderloin known as Basque-Style Chateaubriand became popular in Nevada in the 1950s. It is paired with mushroom sauce and red wine for a unique experience.

It may be famous worldwide, but Thai food has a special place in Nevada. In Nevada, you’ll find a wide variety of vegetarian Thai foods. So, make a list of the delicacies you want to enjoy in Nevada, before you pack your luggage for this extraordinary place.

About the Flag of Nevada

1. Design and Symbolism

The flag of Nevada has a blue field with the state emblem in the upper left corner. Within it is a silver star that represents the old mining industry and the nickname “Silver State.”

Under the star is the word “NEVADA,” while above it is a scroll that says, “BATTLE BORN.” This motto highlights that Nevada attained statehood during the Civil War in 1864.

At the bottom of the emblem are two sprays of sagebrush — the state flower, Artemisia tridentata, known to grow in the semi-arid conditions of the Great Basin.

2. Adoption

The adoption of the current state flag happened on July 25, 1991. It is Nevada’s fourth official flag.

3. Technical Details

The rectangular flag has a proportion of 2:3. The field’s exact hue is cobalt blue.

4. History

The First Flag

In 1905, Nevada adopted the first state flag with a dark blue field — the same shade of blue found in the US flag. It focused on natural resources with the words “SILVER” and “GOLD” at the top and bottom, respectively. At the center is the state name in large bold letters. Between the words are two rows of silver and gold stars.

The Second Flag

In 1915, Nevada started to use a second flag. It has a cobalt blue field and two arcs of stars. In the middle, you will find a stylized shield with images found in the state seal.

It depicts the mountains of the Sierra Nevada in the background and a bustling town in the foreground. The word “NEVADA” appears on top, while “All for our country” is below the shield.

The Third Flag

In 1926, the government announced a design contest for a new flag design. Louis Shellback III won, but the two houses of congress could not agree on the placement of “Nevada.” The state legislature found a compromise and rearranged the state name.

In 1929, the third flag became official. It resembles the current flag with a blue field, scroll, and sagebrush. However, the letters in “NEVADA” are arranged clockwise around the star, with “N” at the top. It indicates the state’s northern position in the civil war.

The Fourth Flag

In 1991, a new law simplified the design by placing “NEVADA” as a single word under the star, making it much easier to read. It has a slight curvature, just like the motto “Battle Born.”

5. Other Flags

The Governor’s Flag

A variant flag features the state emblem at the center, while the four corners have one star each. It serves as the flag of the governor of Nevada.

The Vetoed Flag

In 1953, people complained that the state flag was expensive to produce. They wanted a new one with a simple and more affordable pattern. The proposed tri-color design featured the map of Nevada in the middle, with the motto “Battle Born.” Under it is the state name. It passed in the legislature, but the governor did not go along. He vetoed the bill it saying that the new flag lacked dignity.

Quick facts and state symbols – Nevada