Las Vegas

Las Vegas is a city in the Mojave Desert basin in Nevada featuring hotels, restaurants, performance venues, and gaming halls across its territory. Wide boulevards connect different districts where residential areas sit alongside commercial zones.

The legalization of gambling in 1931 triggered the city's growth during the Great Depression. Over the following decades, it developed into a center for the entertainment industry with many large hotels and casinos.

Neon signs and casinos shape the nighttime cityscape, while daytime shows and performances draw audiences from around the world. Many visitors try their luck at slot machines or card tables that operate around the clock.

Public transit connects the main areas, while taxis and shuttles run between major hotels. Summer months bring extreme heat with temperatures often exceeding 104 degrees Fahrenheit (40 degrees Celsius), so visitors should drink plenty of water and seek air-conditioned spaces.

The downtown area preserves buildings from the early settlement period that contrast with the modern hotel complexes on the Strip. Some of these older structures now serve as smaller casinos and shops that locals visit more often than tourists.

Location: San Miguel County

Inception: 1835

Elevation above the sea: 1,958 m

Website: https://lasvegasnm.gov

GPS coordinates: 35.59694,-105.22250

Latest update: December 12, 2025 21:14