The capital of Nebraska is Lincoln, with a population of over 290,000 residents. Lincoln serves as the state capital and is home to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, the state's flagship university. The city is the second-largest in Nebraska after Omaha.

Lincoln was designated as the state capital when Nebraska achieved statehood on March 1, 1867. The city is named after President Abraham Lincoln and serves as the center of state government, housing the iconic Nebraska State Capitol building completed in 1932.

Omaha is Nebraska's largest city with a population of over 485,000 residents. Located along the Missouri River on the eastern border, Omaha is a major economic hub and home to Fortune 500 companies including Berkshire Hathaway, led by Warren Buffett. The city is known for the Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium, consistently rated among the world's best zoos.

Omaha also hosts the annual College World Series, the NCAA Division I baseball championship, which has been held at Charles Schwab Field Omaha (formerly TD Ameritrade Park) since 1950. The city's economy is diverse, with major sectors including insurance, telecommunications, transportation, and food processing.

Nebraska has 93 counties, making it one of the states with the most counties relative to its population. This large number of counties reflects Nebraska's agricultural heritage and the distribution of settlements during westward expansion in the 19th century.

The 93 counties range from heavily populated urban counties like Douglas County (Omaha) and Lancaster County (Lincoln) to sparsely populated rural counties in the western part of the state. Many counties were established during the territorial period and early statehood to accommodate the influx of homesteaders and pioneers settling the Nebraska prairie.

Nebraska became the 37th state on March 1, 1867, just after the Civil War ended. The state's admission was delayed for several years due to political disputes during the Reconstruction era. Nebraska's statehood came during a period of rapid westward expansion and settlement.

Prior to statehood, Nebraska was part of the Nebraska Territory, which was created by the Kansas-Nebraska Act of 1854. The Homestead Act of 1862 brought thousands of settlers to the territory, increasing the population enough to qualify for statehood. Upon admission, Lincoln was designated as the state capital, named in honor of the recently assassinated President Abraham Lincoln.

Nebraska is known as "The Cornhusker State" in reference to the state's primary agricultural industry. Corn production is central to Nebraska's economy, and the term "cornhusking" refers to removing the husks from corn. The University of Nebraska athletic teams are also called the Cornhuskers, further cementing this identity.

Nebraska is one of the nation's leading corn producers, with millions of acres dedicated to corn cultivation. The state also leads in cattle production, and much of the corn grown is used for livestock feed and ethanol production. The Cornhusker nickname reflects the agricultural heritage that has defined Nebraska since settlement.

Most of Nebraska observes Central Time Zone, but the western portion of the state, roughly west of the 100th meridian, observes Mountain Time Zone. This division affects counties in the western panhandle. The majority of Nebraska's population lives in the Central Time Zone portion of the state.

Major cities like Omaha, Lincoln, Grand Island, and Kearney are all in the Central Time Zone. The Mountain Time Zone area includes cities like Scottsbluff and other communities in the western panhandle region. When traveling across Nebraska on Interstate 80, you may cross from Central to Mountain Time in the western part of the state.

Nebraska is bordered by six states: South Dakota to the north, Iowa and Missouri to the east (separated by the Missouri River), Kansas to the south, and Colorado and Wyoming to the west. This central location made Nebraska an important crossroads during westward expansion.

The Missouri River forms much of Nebraska's eastern border with Iowa and Missouri, while the state shares land borders with the other neighboring states. Nebraska's central location in the Great Plains has historically made it an important transportation corridor, with major interstate highways and railroad lines crossing the state connecting the East and West coasts.

Nebraska's economy is strongly based on agriculture, particularly beef production and corn farming. The state is a leading producer of both corn and cattle. Beyond agriculture, Nebraska is home to major businesses including Berkshire Hathaway in Omaha, and has growing sectors in insurance, telecommunications, and transportation. The state also benefits from its strategic location along major transportation corridors.

Manufacturing is also significant, particularly food processing, agricultural equipment, and transportation equipment. Service industries have grown substantially, with Omaha becoming a major center for insurance, financial services, and telecommunications. Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway, headquartered in Omaha, is one of the world's largest companies. The state's business-friendly environment, low unemployment, and central location continue to attract diverse industries.

Omaha, Nebraska has been the home of the NCAA College World Series since 1950. The championship tournament for college baseball is held annually at Charles Schwab Field Omaha (formerly TD Ameritrade Park). This event brings thousands of visitors to Omaha each June and has become a significant part of the city's identity and economy.

The tournament features the top eight college baseball teams competing in a double-elimination format to determine the national champion. The event generates substantial economic impact for Omaha, with fans, families, and teams spending millions during the tournament. The city has invested heavily in world-class facilities to ensure Omaha remains the permanent home of the College World Series, with the current stadium opening in 2011.

Nebraska's state motto is "Equality Before the Law," reflecting the state's commitment to justice and equal treatment under the law. This motto appears on the state seal and represents the democratic principles that guided Nebraska's formation during the post-Civil War era.

The motto was adopted when Nebraska became a state in 1867, during the Reconstruction period following the Civil War. It reflects the ideals of equality and justice that were particularly significant during that era of American history. Nebraska's unique unicameral legislature, adopted in 1937, further demonstrates the state's commitment to efficient and equitable government, as it's the only state with a single-chamber, nonpartisan legislature.