Dr. Iyad Abu-Jeib's Homepage about Nebraska Land area: 77,355 sq mile (15th, largest: Alaska, Texas, California). Population: About 1.663 million (in 1998). The U.S. population was about 270 million in 1998. Major cities: Omaha (biggest city; Mayor: Hal Daub), Lincoln (capital city; Mayor: Don Wesely), Bellevue (oldest city), Kearney, North Platte, Grand Island. Governer: Mike Johanns (republican and a former democrat and the former mayor of lincoln). Former Governer: Ben Nelson (democrat). NOTE: Nebraska (also called the Cornhusker State) is # 2 corn producer (among the states) and #3 in soy beans. ANOTHER NOTE: In November,1986, Kay Orr became Nebraska's first woman governer and the first national republican woman governer. President Gerald Ford was born in Omaha-Nebraska. Also Warren Buffett is from Omaha. Buffett is one of the world wealthiest people (I think he is the third wealthiest person in the world with a fortune of $28 billion.) General description: Most of Nebraska is green in the summer. It has many beautiful parks and other interesting places. There are also many different kinds of wild animals which live in Nebraska. Nebraska is mainly a flat agricultural state. But also it has many good industries and it is a very quiet state. Major attractions: Nebraska is full of many different kinds of interesting sites (including historical) . Also, Nebraska has many extremely beautiful areas and parks and many museums. The major cities in Nebraska are Omaha and Lincoln. Omaha is relatively a big city with an approximate population of 371,000 (in 1998), and it has many beautiful areas and sites (including a zoo). This city (I mean Omaha) is one of the fifty biggest cities in the U.S. (its rank is 43). Lincoln is a quiet beautiful city with an approximate population of 227,000. This city is very ideal for students. In fact, an excellent student life is available in Lincoln and Nebraska in general. In addition to all of the mentioned above, the Platt River and the Missouri River are very good places to visit in Nebraska. In addition, winter (mid February-mid April) is a very good time to see the Sandhill Cranes. Every year, over 500,000 birds of this kind (about 80% of this bird world's population), gather around the Platt river. And finally, Nebraska is an ideal place for hunting (deers, birds, etc). Universities: University of Nebraska-Lincoln, University of Nebraska at Omaha, University of Nebraska Medical Center, University of Nebraska at Kearney, Bellevue University, Concordia University, Creighton University, Grace University, Nebraska Wesleyan University, Wayne State University. NOTE:Nebraska joined the union on Mar 1, 1867. It was #37. The last state to join the union was Hawaii on Aug 21, 1959. Alaska (the largest state in area) did that a few months before Hawaii (Jan 3, 1959). ANOTHER NOTE:The University of Nebraska was established in 1869 (shortly after a decision was made to move the state capital from Omaha to Lincoln). FINAL NOTE: The U.S. largest 10 cities, are: New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Huston, Philadelphia, San Diego, Phoenix, San Antonio, Dallas, Detroit. Notice that there are about 1100 cities in the U.S. with a population of 30,000 or more. Nebraska State Capitol: Nebraska state capitol was designed by Bertram Grosvenor Goodhue. Building the capitol had begun on April, 15, 1922 and ended in 1932. The total cost was $9,800,440.07. Last updated: March 2000.