Nebraska sits in the heart of the American Midwest, far from any coastline yet connected to the rest of the country through major rivers, highways, and historic trails. The state is bordered by South Dakota to the north, Iowa and Missouri to the east across the Missouri River, Kansas to the south, and Colorado and Wyoming along its western edge. Covering more than 77,000 square miles, Nebraska ranks among the larger U.S. states by land area but remains one of the least densely populated, with just over 2 million residents.

The state capital is Lincoln, a growing university city, while Omaha on the Missouri River stands as Nebraska’s largest population center and economic engine. Nebraska officially entered the Union in 1867, shortly after the Civil War, and is unique for operating the only unicameral, nonpartisan legislature in the United States. It is also one of just two states that split electoral votes by congressional district.

Geographically, Nebraska transitions from the Dissected Till Plains in the east, an area of rolling hills, fertile farmland, and the state’s major cities to the sweeping Great Plains that dominate central and western Nebraska. These western regions are known for wide prairies, open skies, and a more arid climate. Temperatures swing sharply between seasons, and thunderstorms and tornadoes are most common in late spring and summer. In the far west, warm Chinook winds can occasionally break the winter cold.

For thousands of years before American settlement, the region was home to Native nations such as the Omaha, Ponca, Pawnee, Otoe, Missouria, and Lakota peoples. Nebraska later became a crucial corridor for westward expansion: the Lewis and Clark Expedition, the Oregon Trail, the Pony Express, and the Transcontinental Railroad all passed through what is now the state. The Homestead Acts attracted waves of settlers, laying the foundation for Nebraska’s long-standing agricultural economy.

Today, Nebraska combines vibrant metro areas with rural communities, historic sites, and outdoor landscapes that stretch from the Missouri River bluffs to the high plains of the Panhandle. Whether exploring its cities or traveling across its wide-open countryside, Nebraska offers a distinctive look at life in the American Midwest.