Nebraska is a state located in the Midwestern United States. It is bordered by South Dakota to the north, Iowa to the east, Missouri to the southeast, Kansas to the south, Colorado to the southwest, and Wyoming to the west. Nebraska is the 16th largest state in the United States, with an area of 77,354 square miles, and the 37th most populous, with a population of 1,929,268 as of 2019. The state capital is Lincoln, and the largest city is Omaha.
The history of Nebraska dates back to the early 19th century, when the area was first explored by French-Canadian fur traders. The first permanent settlement in the area was established in 1823, when the town of Bellevue was founded. The area was part of the Louisiana Purchase in 1803, and was part of the Missouri Territory until 1854, when it became part of the Nebraska Territory.
The Nebraska Territory was established in 1854, and was originally composed of the present-day states of Nebraska, Wyoming, South Dakota, and parts of Colorado and Montana. The territory was divided into two parts in 1861, with the northern part becoming the Dakota Territory and the southern part becoming the Nebraska Territory. The Nebraska Territory was admitted to the Union as the 37th state in 1867.
The early years of Nebraska's statehood were marked by a period of rapid growth and development. The Homestead Act of 1862 encouraged settlers to move to the area, and the Union Pacific Railroad was completed in 1869, connecting the state to the rest of the country. The population of the state grew rapidly, and by 1890, Nebraska had become the nation's 16th most populous state.
The early 20th century saw the development of the state's agricultural industry, with the introduction of new farming techniques and the expansion of irrigation systems. The state also experienced a period of industrial growth, with the establishment of several large factories and the development of the state's transportation infrastructure.
The Great Depression of the 1930s had a significant impact on Nebraska, as the state's economy suffered greatly. The state's agricultural industry was particularly hard hit, and many farmers were forced to leave their land. The state's economy slowly recovered in the 1940s and 1950s, and the state experienced a period of growth and prosperity in the 1960s and 1970s.
Today, Nebraska is a thriving state with a diverse economy. Agriculture remains an important part of the state's economy, and the state is also home to a number of large corporations, including ConAgra Foods, Union Pacific Railroad, and Berkshire Hathaway. The state is also home to a number of universities, including the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, the University of Nebraska at Omaha, and Creighton University.
Nebraska has a rich and varied history, and its people have played an important role in the development of the United States. From its early days as a part of the Louisiana Purchase to its modern-day status as a thriving state, Nebraska has been an important part of the nation's history.