Tourism, mining, and ranching remain important, but manufacturing and construction are growing rapidly. Nevada s area is 110,567 square miles, of which inland waters make up 761 square miles. It ranks seventh in size among the states. The mean elevation is about 5,500 feet. Nevada has an arid climate and receives the least precipitation of all the states.
Skies are clear, sunshine is abundant, and relative humidity is low.
There are wide ranges of temperature between day and night. The climate pattern, however, is complicated by differences in elevation. Mountainous areas are far damper and cooler than low-lying areas. Mean annual temperatures vary greatly within Nevada because of the comparatively long distance from north to south within the state. In the south, summers are extremely hot and winters are short and mild.