Nevada, nicknamed the Silver State, is blessed with valuable natural resources, in particular mineral resources. Mining has always been an important industry in the economy: it was the primary reason people settled in the territory, even before statehood. We are by far the nation's leading producer of gold, actually accounting for close to 10% of the world's gold production. In 2004, the state earned $3.47 billion from the mining of gold, silver, copper, construction aggregates (sand, gravel and crushed stone), lime, gypsum, lithium and more. We also have several actively producing oil fields.

Not all of the riches from our land come from under the soil. Rangeland feeds some 500,000 head of cattle and 70,000 head of sheep in Nevada, while nearly half-a-million acres of cropland are used to grow hay and alfalfa for livestock feed. We are home to six large recreation areas maintained by the National Park Service, and our vast stretches of wilderness serve the United States military for a variety of purposes. While Nevada lacks precious water as a resource, our famous Hoover Dam harnesses the mighty Colorado River for the benefit of the entire Southwest.