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Hola Nebraska
Nebraska is a Midwestern state in the Great Plains, located near the center of the United States. Its capital is Lincoln, while Omaha is the state’s largest city.
Nebraska sits between the Midwest and the Great Plains, with the Missouri River forming much of its eastern edge. The state borders six states: South Dakota, Iowa, Missouri, Kansas, Colorado and Wyoming.
Lincoln is the seat of state government and home to the Nebraska State Capitol. The Capitol is located at 1445 K Street, near the south edge of downtown Lincoln.
Fast facts about Nebraska
Nebraska became the 37th state in the United States in 1867. Its postal abbreviation is NE, and its state nickname is the Cornhusker State.
- Capital: Lincoln
- Largest city: Omaha
- Region: Midwest and Great Plains
- Statehood: 1867
- Abbreviation: NE
- State nickname: Cornhusker State
- Nebraska State Capitol: 1445 K Street, Lincoln
Where is Nebraska located?
Nebraska is located in the central United States. It is commonly identified with the Midwest, and much of the state is also part of the Great Plains.
The state stretches from the Missouri River on the east to the High Plains near Colorado and Wyoming on the west. Eastern Nebraska includes Omaha, Lincoln, Bellevue, Fremont and Nebraska City. Central Nebraska includes communities such as Grand Island, Kearney, Hastings and Columbus. Western Nebraska includes North Platte, Scottsbluff, Alliance and the Panhandle.
Nebraska’s location has shaped transportation, agriculture and daily life across the state. Railroads, highways, farms, colleges, medical centers and regional businesses connect communities across a state that includes large metro areas, mid-sized cities and rural counties.
What is the capital of Nebraska?
The capital of Nebraska is Lincoln.
Lincoln is located in Lancaster County, about 50 miles southwest of Omaha. The city is home to the Nebraska State Capitol, the Nebraska Legislature and several state government offices.
The Nebraska State Capitol stands at 1445 K Street in downtown Lincoln. The building is near the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, the State Office Building and other government and civic spaces in the city.
Lincoln became the capital after Nebraska reached statehood in 1867. Omaha had served as the territorial capital before statehood, but Lincoln became the state capital as Nebraska’s government took shape.
Is Omaha the capital of Nebraska?
Omaha is not the capital of Nebraska. Omaha is the largest city in the state, but Lincoln is the capital.
The difference matters because many people recognize Omaha first. Omaha is Nebraska’s largest metro area and one of the state’s main economic, cultural and transportation centers. The city is home to major employers, universities, hospitals, museums, music venues and community organizations.
Lincoln is where Nebraska’s state government is based. It is also one of the state’s main education centers, with the University of Nebraska-Lincoln located there.
For a quick answer: Omaha is Nebraska’s largest city. Lincoln is Nebraska’s capital.
What states border Nebraska?
Nebraska borders six states.
South Dakota is to the north. Iowa and Missouri are to the east, across the Missouri River. Kansas is to the south. Colorado is to the southwest. Wyoming is to the west.
Those borders place Nebraska between several regions of the country. Eastern Nebraska is closely connected to Iowa and Missouri through river crossings and metro areas such as Omaha-Council Bluffs. Western Nebraska connects more closely with the High Plains, Colorado and Wyoming.
That geography is one reason Nebraska can feel different depending on where someone lives. Omaha and Lincoln form the state’s largest urban corridor. Grand Island, Kearney and Hastings anchor central Nebraska. Scottsbluff, Alliance and the Panhandle sit closer to the Mountain West.
Why Lincoln became the capital
Lincoln became Nebraska’s capital after statehood. Before that, Omaha had served as the territorial capital.
The change placed state government in Lancaster County as Nebraska moved from territorial government into state government. Lincoln remains the center of Nebraska’s state government today.
The Nebraska State Capitol is the main public building associated with the state’s legislative work and statewide offices. The building’s address is 1445 K Street in Lincoln.
What Nebraska is known for
Nebraska is known for the Platte River, agriculture, the Sandhills, the Missouri River, Omaha, Lincoln, college sports, state government, highways, rail connections and communities spread across the Plains.
The name Nebraska comes from Native American words meaning “flat water,” a reference to the Platte River.
Nebraska is in the central United States, between the Midwest and the Great Plains. Its capital is Lincoln, its largest city is Omaha and the Nebraska State Capitol is located at 1445 K Street in Lincoln.
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