The University was re-established in Reno in the 1880s with a modern high-impact research university setting. The mid-campus area is characterized by fall/spring foliage areas and modern architecture, and a northern quadrant featuring the University's newest and most technologically advanced buildings. Reno, the "Biggest Little City in the World" has a population of about 300,000 people, and is located in northern Nevada, in the Sierra Nevada mountains with outstanding four seasons living 40 minutes from beautiful Lake Tahoe. Reno has the amenities of a university town with excellent schools, arts and entertainment, and outdoor recreation e.g. mountain biking, snowboarding, skiing, hiking, with eight major ski resorts in the vicinity - the closest at biking distance (uphill). Reno is located about two hours from Sacramento, and four hours from San Francisco and the beautiful Northern California wine country, closer than to Las Vegas.Reno offers a favorable quality of life that has been recognized by numerous sources, including Forbes magazine and the The New York Times. Reno's population enjoys an array of cultural activities, including Burning Man, and the Reno Great Balloon Race.