Nebraska Details

Nebraska is a state located on the Great Plains of central United States. It is bordered Iowa and Missouri, opposite Missouri River on the east, Kansas on the south, and Colorado on the southwest, Wyoming on the northwest and South Dakota on the north.

Nebraska became the 37th state of the US on March 1, 1867. Its capital city is Lincoln; its largest city is Omaha. Its name is taken from an Oto Indian word which means “flat water”. Lincoln houses the popular state-owned University of Nebraska and has an estimated population of 251,624. Omaha is said to have an estimated population of 438,646.

Nebraska was acquired by the US as part of the Louisiana Purchase in 1803. Its first permanent settlement was established at Bellevue in 1823. It became the only state in the Union to have a unicameral house legislature whose members are elected without party designation.

This state which is also called Cornhusker State or Beef State is the leading producer of grains. Its products include sorghum, corn, and wheat. This state is also famous for its massive cattle and hog industry such as those in Dakota City and Lexington. These two cities mentioned are among the nation’s largest meat-packing centers. Nebraska also boasts of firms making electronic components, auto accessories, pharmaceuticals and mobile homes aside from older industries like clothing, farm machinery, chemicals and transportation equipment.

Nebraska’s principal attraction include Agate Fossil Beds, Homestead, and Scotts Bluff National Monuments; Chimney Rock National Historic Site; a recreated pioneer village at Minden; SAC Museum near Ashland; the Stuhr Museum of the Prairie Pioneer Grand Island; Boys Town; the Sheldon Memorial Art Gallery and the Lied Center for the Performing Arts at the University of Nebraska in Lincoln; the State Capitol in Lincoln; the Joslyn Art Museum in Omaha; the Henry Doorly Zoo in Omaha; Museum of Nebraska Art in Kearney; Museum of Nebraska History in Lincoln; and the University of Nebraska State Museum in Lincoln.

Nebraska was the birthplace of President Gerald Rudolph Ford on July 14, 1913. Gerald Ford was the 38th US President who served from 1974 to 1977.