nv

NV is the postal abbreviation for the U.S. state of Nevada, located in the western United States. The name Nevada comes from the Spanish word for snowy or snow-covered, a reference to the Sierra Nevada mountain range. Nevada is often nicknamed the Silver State and its capital is Carson City, while its largest city is Las Vegas. The state motto is All for Our Country.

Geographically, Nevada covers roughly 110,700 square miles and features a mix of deserts, basins, and mountain ranges. The Sierra Nevada runs along the western border, the Great Basin covers much of the interior, and the Mojave Desert is prominent in the south. Climate is predominantly arid or semi-arid, with wide temperature swings between day and night and between seasons. Nevada is bordered by Oregon and Idaho to the north, Utah to the east, Arizona to the southeast, and California to the west.

Nevada was admitted to statehood in 1864 during the Civil War, becoming the 36th state. Its government operates as a constitutional democracy with a bicameral legislature (the Nevada Senate and Assembly) and an elected governor as the chief executive. The state has a diverse economy that centers on tourism and gaming in Las Vegas, mining (notably gold and silver), and logistics, complemented by manufacturing and agriculture in certain regions.

The state hosts major educational institutions such as the University of Nevada, Reno and the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, along with a network of community colleges. Key transportation infrastructure includes Interstates 80 and 15, Las Vegas and Reno-Tahoe international airports, and rail links supporting urban and tourist traffic. Notable landmarks include Hoover Dam, Lake Mead, and Lake Tahoe.