Nebraska Geography

Basic Facts

• Geographical Region: Midwest
• Size: 77358 sq.mi., 16th rank overall.
• Admitted to Statehood: March 1, 1867
• Population: 1,796,619;38th rank overall.
• Capital: Lincoln
• Other Major City: Omaha
• Abbreviation: NE

Fun Facts

• Nickname: Cornhusker State
• State Flag: Click Here (opens window to 50states.com)
• State Bird: Western Meadowlark (opens window to 50states.com)
• State Flower: Goldenrod (opens window to 50states.com)

Geographical Description

• The easternmost section of the state is covered by the Dissected Till Plains. Ice Age glaciers have molded this area into gently rolling hills, carving out streams and rivers.
• The majority of western Nebraska is occupied by the Great Plains, which include subareas such as: Sandhills, the Pine Ridge, the Rainwater Basin, the High Plains and the Wildcat Hills
• The Sandhills are located north of the Platte River in central Nebraska. These are the largest sand dunes in North America.
• The High Plains are in the northwestern section of the state. This portion rises to almost a mile above sea level near the Wyoming border.
• The Badlands are located in the far northwestern portion of the state. These sandstone and clay formations have been shaped and molded by the high winds and water for centuries.

Map: Relief Map of NE

Industry

Food processing, primary metals, electrical machinery, printing and publishing, transportation equipment

Agriculture

Cattle production, corn, hogs, soybeans, wheat, sorghum

Other Information

Fun Facts:

• The world's largest indoor rain forest is located in Omaha and is called the Lied Jungle.
• Nebraska has more miles of river than any other state
• Lincoln, Nebraska was the first to develop and use the 911 system of emergency communications.
• The name Nebraska comes from the Indian word Oto meaning flat water.
• Thedford, Nebraska is home to the world's largest hand planted forest called Halsey National Forrest.

More Fun Facts: http://www.50states.com/facts/nebraska.htm