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With much of Nevada a vast desert, it was only the unusually intrepid who explored the territory in the early 1800's. The U.S. obtained the region in 1848 following the Mexican War, and the first permanent settlement was a Mormon trading post near what is now Genoa, Nevada.

Several years later, the state's population grew by the thousands when prospectors streamed into the state following the discovery of the spectacularly rich Comstock Lode silver and gold deposit in 1859.

Today, tourists by the millions visit the state annually in the hope of striking it rich at world-famous Las Vegas and Reno gambling hotels and resorts. Other major Nevada tourist attractions include Lake Tahoe, Lake Mead and Hoover Dam, Virginia City and Carson City.

Nevada Commission on Tourism - The official site and an eyeful, with facts & information on hotels, guest ranches & RV parks, adventure travel & planning, major attractions, Nevada weddings, chapels & honeymoons, pictures, FAQ, maps.

Nevada Magazine - Digital version of the travel magazine offering feature stories, news & updates, Nevada travel facts & trivia, suggested travel books, magazine subscription information.

The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority - Plenty of information and advice for planning a vacation or a convention. A relatively tame site for such a glitzy destination, but click on that magic suitcase for a rollicking virtual visit.