Las Vegas

Las Vegas is a desert city in Nevada built around hospitality, gaming, and entertainment, with most resorts, casinos, and theaters concentrated along a central boulevard known as the Strip. Downtown sits to the north with older gaming halls and restaurants, while residential neighborhoods, shopping districts, and convention centers spread outward in all directions.

The settlement began in 1905 as a stop on the railroad route connecting Salt Lake City with Los Angeles and grew slowly until Nevada legalized casino gaming in 1931. Resort construction accelerated in the 1940s and 1950s along a stretch of desert highway south of downtown, forming the corridor that later became known worldwide as the Strip.

The city hosts permanent theater productions, Cirque du Soleil shows, and concert residencies that draw international performers to stages built specifically for long-term engagements. Wedding chapels operate around the clock, allowing couples to marry on short notice in settings that range from simple ceremonies to themed events with costumed officiants.

The airport lies south of the city with connections to domestic and international destinations, while a monorail runs along the eastern side of the Strip between several hotels. Many resorts provide free shuttle buses or trams, and elevated pedestrian bridges cross major roads at busy intersections to make walking easier.

The lighting from buildings, signs, and video screens consumes enough electricity to make the city visible from great distances at night, even from aircraft flying overhead. A network of tunnels beneath downtown streets carries freight and utility lines, built in the 1960s to reduce surface traffic congestion.

Location: Clark County

Inception: May 15, 1905

Elevation above the sea: 610 m

Address: Las Vegas, NV, USA

Website: https://lasvegasnevada.gov

GPS coordinates: 36.16722,-115.14861

Latest update: December 14, 2025 19:36