Population: 1 842.641 thousand people (2011)
Area: 200520.0 sq. km
Americans call Nebraska the Corn State. Nebraska got its official name from the language of the Sioux Indians. “Ni Brasge” means “flat water”. So the Indians called the Platte River – the largest river in the state, except for the Missouri, where the Platte flows and which is the eastern border of Nebraska. Other tributaries of the Missouri, the Niobrara and the Republican, also flow here.
Almost the entire territory of Nebraska is located in the steppe zone, conditionally divided into two regions – the eastern Dissected Plain and the western Great Plain. In the extreme west of the state lie the spurs of the Front Range (Mount Panorama Point, 1653 meters) and the Blue Mountain Ranges. The climate changes from east to west: from temperate continental humid to semi-arid. Significant seasonal temperature fluctuations. Nebraska is located in the Tornado Alley zone, so tornadoes and hurricanes are not uncommon for the state.
Nebraska is an agricultural state dominated by cereals (especially corn), pigs, and cattle.
Before the European exploration of America, Nebraska was inhabited by the peoples of the Sioux language group: Missouri, Omaha, Lakota and others. Active exploration of the region took place at the turn of the 17th and 18th centuries. It was not until 1819 that a permanent European settlement, Fort Atkinson, was founded. However, a surge in population growth occurred at the end of the 1840s, during the years of the gold rush, and after the 1860s, when the Indians were evicted to reservations, and it became possible to farm on the lands of Nebraska. In 1867, Nebraska seceded from the Kansas-Nebraska Territory as the 37th state of the United States. In the year of the Cold War, the center of the US Air Command was located here.
Tourist interest in Nebraska is represented by large cities. Omaha boasts several theatres, an opera house, the famous Henry Doorly Zoo, several museums, and music festivals. Lincoln is also among the “cultural” cities of Nebraska. Here is the US Independent Film Center, several museums, an arts center, and a university. Nebraska’s national parks are popular, especially the Aegetian Fossil Deposits, where major paleontological excavations are taking place.
LINCOLN
Population: 258.379 thousand people (2010)
Area: 234.0 sq. km
Time zone: UTC
Altitude: 358 m
Nebraska ‘s capital, Lincoln, lies on the Great Plains in the middle of the salt flats, sprawling on both banks of the Salt Creek. The city is in the southeastern part of the state and is the second most populous city in Nebraska.
Lincoln’s official founding date is 1869. However, the settlement was founded 15 years earlier under the name of Lancaster. The village became the capital due to the fact that part of the population of Nebraska wanted to join Kansas, and the authorities decided to move the main city away from the borders with this state. The epic lasted for several years and ended successfully for the village of Lancaster. For a long time, the population did not want to accept the name Lincoln (in honor of US President Abraham Lincoln, who was assassinated in 1865), as they sympathized with the “Confederates” in the recently ended Civil War. However, in 1869 this decision “passed” and the official countdown of the city’s history began.
Lincoln has a large Vietnamese community, as well as Russian Germans who immigrated here in the early 20th century. There is even a museum of the history of this ethnic group. Among the interesting objects of the city stand out the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, some administrative buildings. Lincoln hosts many annual holidays and festivals: sports, religious, cultural.
OMAHA
Population: 438.646 thousand people (2008)
Area: 307.9 sq. km
City status since: 1857
Time zone: UTC-6, summer UTC-5
Omaha, the county seat of Douglas County, is located on the eastern edge of Nebraska. It occupies part of the coast of the Missouri River. The settlement got its name from the name of the indigenous people of the Omaha tribe. The Indians lived in the area now occupied by the northeastern districts of the city. In 2008, Omaha ranked third in the ranking of the best cities in the United States with a high quality of life. The development of these lands by immigrants from Europe took place in the middle of the 19th century, when immigrants from the state of Iowa moved here. Prior to this, the leader of the Indian tribe, Logan Fontenelle, sold a significant part of the land owned by the indigenous people to the US authorities. The state of Nebraska was soon created on the acquired territory.. In the summer of 1854, the settlement of Omaha was founded on its territory, which received its city status a few years later. At one time he played the role of the capital. In the status of the administrative center of the territory of Nebraska, it was from 1855 to 1867.
The transcontinental railway line, which came into operation in the second half of the 19th century, connected Omaha with Sacramento, California. Thanks to her, the city began to develop actively, absorbing small settlements on the outskirts. The number of its inhabitants increased every year. By the middle of the 19th century it had become one of the transport centers of the country and as a result received the unofficial name “Gateway to the West”. During that period, cattle farms, meat-packing plants, breweries and the railway flourished here. Unlike those times, engineering and architectural companies, technology centers and the tourism sector are developing in the modern city.
Always lively at the local Henry Doorly Zoo, built in 1864. It was originally called Par Riverview. About 1000 species of animals live on its territory and there is the largest cat complex of those located on the lands of North America. The city attracts tourists with numerous events. The annual college baseball finals have now become a tradition.
Kearney, Nebraska
History and Climate of Kearney, Nebraska:
History: Kearney, a city located in south-central Nebraska, boasts a history deeply rooted in westward expansion and the development of the American Midwest. The city’s name honors Fort Kearny, a historic outpost established in the mid-19th century along the Oregon Trail. The fort played a crucial role in facilitating westward migration, serving as a supply point and protecting pioneers from Native American conflicts.
Kearney’s growth accelerated with the arrival of the railroad in the late 19th century. The Union Pacific Railroad, a key player in connecting the East and West Coasts, established a major hub in Kearney. The city’s strategic location contributed to its development as a transportation and trade center.
The establishment of the University of Nebraska at Kearney (UNK) in 1905 brought educational opportunities to the region. Kearney evolved into a vibrant community, shaped by agriculture, education, and its role as a transportation hub. Today, remnants of its past, including historic buildings and artifacts, are preserved, providing a glimpse into Kearney’s rich heritage.
The city also hosts the Great Platte River Road Archway Monument, an interactive museum spanning over Interstate 80, which commemorates the historical significance of the Platte River and the pioneers who traversed the Oregon Trail.
Climate: According to Thedressexplorer, Kearney experiences a classic Midwestern continental climate characterized by four distinct seasons, with variations in temperature and precipitation.
- Summer (June-August): Summers in Kearney are warm and occasionally hot, with average high temperatures ranging from the mid-80s to low 90s Fahrenheit. The region experiences occasional thunderstorms, providing relief from the summer heat. This season is ideal for outdoor activities, and the city’s parks, including Yanney Heritage Park and Cottonmill Park, become popular destinations for residents and visitors.
- Fall (September-November): Fall brings a gradual cooling of temperatures, with average highs ranging from the mid-60s to mid-70s Fahrenheit. The changing foliage adds a tapestry of colors to the landscape. Fall festivals and events celebrate the harvest season, and the city’s parks continue to be inviting for outdoor recreation.
- Winter (December-February): Winters in Kearney are cold, with average high temperatures ranging from the mid-20s to mid-30s Fahrenheit. Snowfall is common, transforming the city into a winter wonderland. The holiday season is celebrated with events and decorations, and residents engage in winter sports and activities. The University of Nebraska at Kearney’s campus, covered in snow, adds a picturesque charm to the city.
- Spring (March-May): Spring is a transitional season marked by rising temperatures and blooming vegetation. Average highs range from the mid-40s to mid-60s Fahrenheit. As the weather warms, Kearney experiences a renewal of life, and residents eagerly embrace outdoor activities. Spring also brings events and festivals that celebrate the arrival of warmer weather.
Kearney’s climate, with its clear seasonal changes, contributes to a diverse array of recreational opportunities throughout the year. The city’s history, intertwined with the westward expansion and the growth of the Midwest, is evident in its preserved landmarks and cultural institutions. Kearney continues to thrive as a dynamic community, blending its historical roots with modern amenities and educational opportunities.
