Guide Note

Nebraska is a U.S. state located on the Great Plains of the Midwestern United States. It shares it borders with South Dakota, Iowa, Missouri, Kansas, Colorado and Wyoming. The Missouri River makes up its southwest border. The state has 93 counties, covers two time zones and claims to have more miles of river than any other state. Nebraska is a leading agricultural state and is an important producer of Beef, Pork, Corn and Soybeans. Nebraskans are sometimes colloquially referred to as "Cornhuskers".

Fast Facts

1. Capital: Lincoln
2. Governor: Dave Heineman
3. Population: 1,768,331 (2006)
4. Founded: March 1, 1867
5. Time zones: Central/Mountain
6. Major cities: Omaha, Lincoln
7. Official state items: Western Meadowlark (state bird), Goldenrod (state flower), Cottonwood (state tree)

Nebraska is composed of two major land regions: the Dissected Till Plains and the Great Plains.

The Dissected Till Plains were created after Ice Age glaciers scoured the eastern portion of the state. A region of gently rolling hills; Omaha and Lincoln are located within this region. The Great Plains occupy the majority of western Nebraska.

The Great Plains consists of several small, diverse land regions, including the Sandhills, the Pine Ridge, the Rainwater Basin, the High Plains and the Wildcat Hills. At 5,424 feet Panorama Point, is the highest point in Nebraska.