The County covers an approximate area of 751 square miles, and is located in the western portion of the State. The County's boundaries are portions of the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range, Lake Tahoe, Topaz Lake, and the Carson and Walker Rivers. Douglas County is a diverse community which includes three unincorporated towns - Minden, Gardnerville, and Genoa. These towns are governed by their own separate elected advisory boards. Minden, the County seat, has a population of almost 3,000 people. With over 8,000 in population, the Minden/Gardnerville town core is reminiscent of Rockwell’s Americana. The major employers are in the fields of gaming and tourism, research and manufacturing, government and services. Douglas County offers the facilities and amenities of a metropolitan area, yet remains pleasantly rural with easy access to all services. The County is the fourth most populated county in Nevada with approximately 53,000 residents and seasonal populations that can exceed 65,000 due to its proximity to Reno, Carson City, and northern California. Douglas County has strong commitment to quality of life and environmental issues. The area also provides an excellent environment for cultural, recreational, and outdoor activities, including skiing, hunting, horseback riding, hiking, camping, soaring and other similar outdoor activities, as well as breathtaking scenic wonders, such as Lake Tahoe.