| − | '''Nevada''' is the 7th largest state geographically and the 35th largest state by population in the [[United States]]. Although it is known for legalized [[gambling]] and semi-legalized [[prostitution]],<ref>Prostitution is prohibited by state law in Clark County (Las Vegas) and by local law in Lincoln County (north of Las Vegas) and in Washoe County (Reno), the independent city of Carson City (the state capital), and Douglas County (south of Carson City; the latter three areas listed effectively make it illegal in the area surrounding Lake Tahoe)</ref><ref>http://www.jour.unr.edu/outpost/community/archives/com.gormley.prostitute.html</ref> its voters are generally [[conservative]] and voted for [[George W. Bush]] twice; however, influx of liberals escaping their self-created problems in California have turned Nevada into a [[blue state]] or at least placed it into the competitive category. Its senators include [[Harry Reid]], the [[Democratic]] Senate Majority Leader, and Dean Heller, a Republican. | + | '''Nevada''' is the 7th largest state geographically and the 35th largest state by population in the [[United States]]. Although it is known for legalized [[gambling]] and semi-legalized [[prostitution]],<ref>Prostitution is prohibited by state law in Clark County (Las Vegas) and by local law in Lincoln County (north of Las Vegas) and in Washoe County (Reno), the independent city of Carson City (the state capital), and Douglas County (south of Carson City; the latter three areas listed effectively make it illegal in the area surrounding [[Lake Tahoe]]).</ref><ref>http://www.jour.unr.edu/outpost/community/archives/com.gormley.prostitute.html</ref> its voters are generally [[conservative]] and voted for [[George W. Bush]] twice; however, influx of liberals escaping their self-created problems in California have turned Nevada into a [[blue state]] or at least placed it into the competitive category. Its senators include [[Harry Reid]], the [[Democratic]] Senate Majority Leader, and Dean Heller, a Republican. |
| | Nevada was admitted to the Union on October 31, 1864 by [[Abraham Lincoln]] during the [[Civil War]]; as a result, one of the State's mottos is "Battle Born."<ref>http://www.leg.state.nv.us/general/FACTS.cfm</ref> | | Nevada was admitted to the Union on October 31, 1864 by [[Abraham Lincoln]] during the [[Civil War]]; as a result, one of the State's mottos is "Battle Born."<ref>http://www.leg.state.nv.us/general/FACTS.cfm</ref> |