Nebraska

Capital: Lincoln

State abbreviation/Postal code: Nebr./NE

Governor: Pete Ricketts, R (to Jan. 2019)

Lieut. Governor: Mike Foley, R (to Jan. 2019)

Senators: Ben Sasse, R (to Jan. 2021); Debra Fischer, R (to Jan. 2019)

U.S. Representatives: 3

Historical biographies of Congressional members

Secy. of State: John Gale, R (to Jan. 2019)

Atty. General: Doug Peterson, R (to Jan. 2019)

Treasurer: Don Stenberg, R (to Jan. 2019)

Organized as territory: May 30, 1854

Entered Union (rank): March 1, 1867 (37)

Present constitution adopted: Oct. 12, 1875 (extensively amended 1919–20)

Motto: Equality before the law

State symbols:

flower goldenrod (1895)
fish channel catfish (1997)
American folk dance square dance (1997)
ballad “A Place Like Nebraska” (1997)
tree cottonwood (1972)
bird Western meadowlark (1929)
insect honeybee (1975)
gemstone blue agate (1967)
rock prairie agate (1967)
fossil mammoth (1967)
song “Beautiful Nebraska” (1967)
soil typic argiustolls, holdreges series (1979)
mammal whitetail deer (1981)
grass little bluestem (1969)
beverage milk (1998)
Nicknames: Cornhusker State (1945); Beef State

Origin of name: From an Oto Indian word meaning “flat water”

10 largest cities (2014 est.): Omaha, 446,599; Lincoln, 272,996; Bellevue, 53,936; Grand Island, 51,236; Kearney, 32,469; Fremont, 26,500; Hastings, 24,915; North Platte, 24,327; Norfolk, 24,444; Columbus, 22,630

Land area: 77,358 sq mi (200,365 km2)

Geographic center: In Custer Co., 10 mi. NW of Broken Bow

Number of counties: 93

Largest county by population and area: Douglas, 517,110 (2010); Cherry, 5,961 sq mi.

State parks: 87

Residents: Nebraskan

2015 resident population est.: 1,896,190





French fur traders first visited Nebraska in the late 1600s and fought with Spain over control of the territory. The Unites States eventually obtained part of the area in 1803 through the Louisiana Purchase. Soon after, eastern Nebraska was explored by Lewis and Clark in 1804–1806. A few years later in 1812-1813, Robert Stuart pioneered the Oregon Trail across Nebraska and the first permanent non-Native American settlement was established at Bellevue in 1823.

Western Nebraska was acquired by treaty following the Mexican War in 1848. The Union Pacific began its transcontinental railroad at Omaha in 1865. In 1937, Nebraska became the only state in the Union to have a unicameral (one-house) legislature in which members are elected to it without party designation.

Nebraska is a leading grain-producer with bumper crops of sorghum, corn, and wheat. More varieties of grass, valuable for forage, grow in this state than in any other in the nation. The state's sizable cattle and hog industries make Dakota City and Lexington among the nation's largest meat-packing centers.

Manufacturing has become diversified: Firms making electronic components, auto accessories, pharmaceuticals, and mobile homes have joined such older industries as clothing, farm machinery, chemicals, and transportation equipment. Oil was discovered in 1939 and natural gas in 1949.

Among the principal attractions are 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.