Nickname: "The Entertainment Capital of the World", "Sin City"
Las Vegas (often abbreviated as Vegas) is an internationally known vacation, shopping, entertainment, and gambling destination. It was established in 1905.
The name Las Vegas is often applied to the unincorporated areas of Clark County that surround the city, especially the resort areas on and near the Las Vegas Strip. The center of gambling in the United States, Las Vegas is marketed as The Entertainment Capital of the World and is famous for its massive, lavish casino resorts. It is also commonly known as Sin City, due to the popularity of legalized gambling, availability of alcoholic beverages at any time (as is true throughout Nevada), and various forms and degrees of adult entertainment. The city's glamorous image has made it a popular setting for films and television programs.
Las Vegas is one of the most dynamic cities in the world, "reinventing" itself as a gambling mecca, family destination, capital of hedonism ("What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas"), or hotspot for dining and shopping over the years. Several events stand out as turning points:
Las Vegas' climate is an arid desert climate typical of the Mojave Desert, in which it is located, marked with very hot summers, moderate winters, abundant sunshine year-round, and very little rainfall.