As a Nebraska native currently transplanted to Texas, I get a variety of responses when I tell people where I'm from. Shocked looks on faces, laughter, and always this question: "Why did you decide to come to Texas?". I usually also receive a comment about corn. This article is to teach everyone that Nebraska is more than cornfields.
To start off our educational journey together, here are ten facts about the state I love.
1. Kool-Aid was invented in Nebraska.
2. We provided 40% of the United States' ammunition for World War II.
3. When settlers moved West on the Oregon Trail, Nebraska's Chimney Rock was the most frequently mentioned landmark in their journals.
4. The largest Kolache festival in the world is located in Nebraska.
5. Nebraska has a unicameral legislature.
6. Warren Buffett lives here. Enough said
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7. We have Runza sandwiches.
8. The Reuben sandwich was created in Nebraska.
9. Omaha, Nebraska has the world's largest indoor jungle.
10. We have more underground water than any other state.
Now at this point, I know you might be thinking “Those are cool facts but… so what?”. I’m going to tell you why I personally love my home state.
I’m from Omaha, Nebraska which is Nebraska’s largest city with a population of about 500,000 people not including the surrounding metropolitan area. Omaha is the perfect size city to live in, at least for me. It’s big enough to always be trying something new, but not too big that it’s overwhelming. The traffic is hardly ever bad compared to what I’ve seen in other states. A traffic jam for Nebraskans is a ten to fifteen-minute wait.
In 2014, TripAdvisor named Nebraska’s Henry Doorly Zoo the best in the world. The Henry Doorly Zoo has the following world class exhibits and more: Cat Complex, Cheetah Valley, Durham’s Bear Canyon, Garden of the Senses, Giraffe Herd Rooms, Lagoon Island, Owen Sea Lion Pavilion, Pachyderm Hill, Expedition Madagascar, Butterfly and Insect Pavilion, Desert Dome, Gorilla Valley, Orangutan Forest, Kingdoms of the Night, Lied Jungle, Wild Kingdom Pavilion, Scott Aquarium, and Simmons Aviary. If this article convinces you that Nebraska is worth visiting, you’ve gotta make a stop at the Henry Doorly Zoo.
Nebraska is also known for being the host of the NCAA College Worl
Chadron State Park
Snake River Falls
Thanks for entering my world for a little bit, readers. I hope you’ve enjoyed it! Feel free to stop by Nebraska anytime to experience “Nebraska Nice”. All states are great, but no matter where I live, Nebraska will always hold a special place in my heart … no matter what people’s reactions are like when I tell them about my home.
