Country | United States |
Population | 641903 |
Area | 141.91 sq mi (367.53 km2) |
Time Zone | UTC−08:00 (PST) |
Coordinates | 36.17497, -115.13722 |
Highest elevation | 2,001 ft (610 m) |
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City Description
Las Vegas, often called Sin City or simply Vegas, is the most populous city in Nevada and serves as the county seat of Clark County. It is the largest city in the Las Vegas Valley metropolitan area, which is the largest within the Mojave Desert and the second-largest in the Southwestern United States. Known worldwide as a major resort city, Las Vegas is famed for its gambling, shopping, fine dining, entertainment, and vibrant nightlife. The city’s key attractions are concentrated in downtown Las Vegas and the iconic Las Vegas Strip, just outside city limits.
According to the 2020 Census, Las Vegas had a population of 641,903, with the metropolitan area reaching 2,227,053, making it the 25th-most populous city in the United States. Las Vegas brands itself as the Entertainment Capital of the World, known for its luxurious and expansive casino-hotels. In 2019, over 2.9 million visitors came to Las Vegas, ranking it as the sixth-most visited city in the U.S., behind New York City, Miami, Los Angeles, Orlando, and San Francisco. The city is a top destination for business conventions and a global leader in the hospitality industry, boasting more AAA Five Diamond hotels than any other city worldwide. Its permissiveness towards various forms of adult entertainment has earned it the nickname “Sin City,” making it a popular setting for literature, films, television programs, and music videos.
Founded in 1905 and officially incorporated in 1911, Las Vegas saw significant population growth towards the end of the 20th century. It was the most populated North American city founded in the 20th century, with population growth accelerating from the 1960s onwards. Between 1990 and 2000, the population nearly doubled, increasing by 85.2%. The term “Las Vegas” often extends beyond the official city limits, especially referring to areas on and near the Strip, which are in the unincorporated communities of Paradise and Winchester.
Geographically, Las Vegas is situated within Clark County in a basin on the floor of the Mojave Desert, and is surrounded by mountain ranges on all sides. Much of the landscape is rocky and arid, with desert vegetation and wildlife. The climate is a subtropical hot desert climate (Köppen climate classification: BWh), typical of the Mojave Desert in which it lies. This climate is marked by long, extremely hot summers; warm transitional seasons; and short winters with mild days and cool nights.
The culture of Las Vegas is diverse and vibrant, heavily influenced by its status as an entertainment capital. The city’s economy is dominated by tourism, gaming, and conventions, which in turn fuel the retail and restaurant industries. Las Vegas is also a top destination for weddings, with more than 300 weddings per day. The city is home to a number of museums, including the Neon Museum, the Mob Museum, the Las Vegas Natural History Museum, and the Nevada State Museum.
Despite its glitzy image, Las Vegas faces significant environmental challenges, particularly with water security. The city is located in one of the driest regions in the U.S., and droughts in Southern Nevada are becoming more frequent and severe due to climate change. These challenges are putting a strain on the city’s water resources and necessitating significant efforts towards conservation and sustainable management.
Las Vegas also has a growing arts and cultural scene, supported by institutions like the Smith Center for the Performing Arts. The city’s culinary scene is renowned, featuring a wide range of dining options from high-end restaurants by celebrity chefs to diverse, affordable eateries. The University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) contributes to the city’s educational landscape, offering a range of undergraduate and graduate programs.
Las Vegas continues to evolve, balancing its identity as a global entertainment hub with the need for sustainable growth and development. The city’s ability to attract visitors and businesses from around the world while addressing its environmental and social challenges will shape its future trajectory.
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