Las Vegas, Nevada, is a city in the Mojave Desert of the United States, known primarily for its gambling, shopping, fine dining, entertainment, and nightlife. The Las Vegas Valley metropolitan area is the largest within the greater Mojave Desert, and 2nd-largest in the Southwestern United States. Las Vegas is an internationally renowned major resort city, and is the most populous city in the state of Nevada.
Las Vegas is known as the "Entertainment capital of the World", and is famous for its luxurious and extremely large casino-hotels. With over 2.9 million visitors as of 2019, Las Vegas is the sixth-most visited city in the U.S., after New York City, Miami, Los Angeles, Orlando, and San Francisco. It is a top-three destination in the U.S. for business conventions and a global leader in the hospitality industry, claiming more AAA Five Diamond hotels than any other city in the world.
Las Vegas is also home to a number of museums, including the Neon Museum, which houses a collection of over 200 neon signs from old casinos and businesses, and the Mob Museum, which tells the story of organized crime in the United States.
Las Vegas is a popular destination for tourists from all over the world. It is known for its unique atmosphere, its variety of attractions, and its 24/7 lifestyle.
History
The history of Las Vegas dates back to 1905, when the city was founded as a railroad town. The city grew rapidly in the early 20th century, and gambling was legalized in Nevada in 1931. This led to the construction of many casinos and hotels, and Las Vegas quickly became known as a gambling destination.
In the 1950s and 1960s, Las Vegas experienced a boom in tourism. The city's casinos and hotels became increasingly sophisticated, and Las Vegas began to attract celebrities and entertainers. Las Vegas also became known for its nightlife and its over-the-top shows.
In the 1970s and 1980s, Las Vegas continued to grow and expand. The city's casinos and hotels became even larger and more luxurious. Las Vegas also began to attract more families, with the construction of theme parks and other attractions.
In the 1990s and 2000s, Las Vegas continued to evolve. New casinos and hotels were built, and the city's existing casinos were renovated. Las Vegas also began to focus on non-gaming attractions, such as shopping, dining, and entertainment.
Today, Las Vegas is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. The city is known for its casinos, hotels, shows, nightlife, and shopping. Las Vegas is also a major convention center and a global leader in the hospitality industry.
Here is a timeline of some of the key events in the history of Las Vegas:
- 1905: Las Vegas is founded as a railroad town.
- 1911: Las Vegas is incorporated as a city.
- 1931: Gambling is legalized in Nevada.
- 1946: The Flamingo Hotel, the first major casino-hotel in Las Vegas, opens.
- 1955: The Sands Hotel opens, and Las Vegas begins to attract celebrities and entertainers.
- 1960: The Las Vegas Strip is completed, and Las Vegas becomes a major tourist destination.
- 1973: The Stratosphere Hotel opens, and Las Vegas begins to focus on non-gaming attractions.
- 1989: The Mirage Hotel opens, and Las Vegas enters a new era of luxury and sophistication.
- 1994: The Bellagio Hotel opens, and Las Vegas becomes known for its over-the-top shows and attractions.
- 2003: The Wynn Las Vegas opens, and Las Vegas continues to evolve and expand.
- 2009: The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas opens, and Las Vegas becomes a major destination for young adults.
- 2018: The Las Vegas Convention Center expansion opens, and Las Vegas becomes a major convention center.
Las Vegas is a city with a rich and colorful history. It has evolved over time from a railroad town to a gambling destination to a major tourist destination. Las Vegas is a city that is always changing and growing, and it is sure to continue to be a popular destination for years to come.
Companies Headquartered in Las Vegas
Las Vegas is home to a number of companies, including:
- MGM Resorts International is a global hospitality and entertainment company with a portfolio of 29 hotel and casino resorts, including 13 of the iconic Strip resorts in Las Vegas.
- Caesars Entertainment Corporation is a global hospitality company that owns and operates casinos, hotels, and resorts, including Caesars Palace, Harrah's, and Horseshoe.
- Las Vegas Sands Corporation is a global developer and operator of integrated resorts, including The Venetian and The Palazzo in Las Vegas.
- Allegiant Travel Company is a low-cost airline headquartered in Las Vegas.
- Zappos.com is an online shoe and clothing retailer headquartered in Las Vegas.
- Boyd Gaming Corporation is a casino-entertainment company headquartered in Las Vegas.
- Switch is a global data center services company headquartered in Las Vegas.
- Scientific Games Corporation is a gaming company that develops and provides technology to the global gaming industry.
- Total Quality Logistics is a third-party logistics provider headquartered in Las Vegas.
- PennyMac Loan Services, LLC is a mortgage servicer headquartered in Las Vegas.
- Rimini Street, Inc. is a global software support) and maintenance company headquartered in Las Vegas.
- Textbroker is a content creation company headquartered in Las Vegas.
These are just a few of the many companies that are headquartered in Las Vegas. Las Vegas is a vibrant and growing city with a diverse economy.