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French fur traders first visited Nebraska in the late 1600s. Part of the Louisiana Purchase in 1803, eastern Nebraska was explored by Lewis and Clark in 1804-1806.

Robert Stuart pioneered the Oregon Trail across Nebraska in 1812-1813 and the first permanent white 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. Members are elected to it without party designation.

Nebraska is a leading grain-producer with bumper crops of grain, 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 in Nebraska, strengthening the state's economic base. 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 with 57 original 19th-century buildings near Grand Island; Boys Town; the Sheldon Memorial Art Gallery and the Lied Center for the Performing Arts located on the University of Nebraska campus 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.

Nickname: Cornhusker State (1945); Beef State

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

10 largest cities (1999 est.): Omaha, 386,742; Lincoln, 215,928; Bellevue, 44,730; Grand Island, 41,950; Kearney, 28,381; Fremont, 24,591; North Platte, 23,708; Norfolk, 23,164; Hastings, 21,263; Columbus, 20,678

Land area: 76,878 sq mi. (199,113 sq km)

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

Number of counties: 93

Largest county by population and area: Douglas, 446,277 (1999 est.); Cherry, 5,961 sq mi.

State parks: 85 areas, historical and recreational; 8 major areas

Residents: Nebraskan

1999 resident population est.: 1,666,028

1990 resident census population (rank): 1,578,417 (36). Male: 769,439; Female: 808,946. White: 1,480,558 (93.8%); Black: 57,404 (3.6%); American Indian: 12,410 (0.8%); Asian: 12,422 (0.8%); Other race: 15,591 (1.0%); Hispanic: 36,969 (2.3%). 1990 percent population under 18: 27.2; 65 and over: 14.1; median age: 32.9.

Capital: Lincoln

Governor: Mike Johanns, R (to Jan. 2003)

Lieut. Governor: Dave Maurstad, R (to Jan. 2003)

Senators: Chuck Hagel, R (to Jan. 2003); Ben Nelson, D (to Jan. 2007)

Secy. of State: Scott Moore, R (to Jan. 2003)

Atty. General: Don Stenberg, R (to Jan. 2003)

Auditor: Kate Witek, R (to Jan. 2003)

Treasurer: David Heineman, R (to Jan. 2003)

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

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