Las Vegas (Nevada)

I

Introduction

Las Vegas (Nevada), city in southern Nevada. The seat of Clark County, Las Vegas is located in the Las Vegas Valley, a desert surrounded by the Spring Mountains to the west, Frenchman Mountain to the east, the Sheep and Las Vegas ranges to the north and the McCullough Range to the south. Las Vegas serves as the center of one of the fastest-growing metropolitan areas in the United States. Its population has multiplied by a factor of 30 since the 1940s—more than that of any other major American city. Las Vegas is renowned for tourism, gaming, a dry and vigorous climate, and an assortment of indoor and outdoor recreational activities. The city is also booming in manufacturing and industrial employment, in the construction of new houses, and in the creation of new service jobs.

II

Las Vegas and Its Metropolitan Area

The city of Las Vegas covers a land area of 215.2 sq km (83.1 sq mi). In addition to Las Vegas, the city’s metropolitan region includes North Las Vegas, Boulder City, Henderson, Mesquite, and a large number of unincorporated communities.

The downtown area of Las Vegas, known as Glitter Gulch, is characterized by long-established casinos. It is the site of the Fremont Street Experience, a renovation project completed in 1995, designed to revitalize the downtown area and attract more people to the street’s casinos. Covering a five-block stretch of Fremont Street, this section is a covered pedestrian mall where thousands of lights play out animated scenes overhead. In addition to the casinos and attractions downtown, more are located on The Strip, a 6-km (4-mi) neon-lined portion of Las Vegas Boulevard, located slightly south of downtown. Some of the extravagant casinos on The Strip play on epic Hollywood themes, such as the Treasure Island Casino, while others advertise attractions, such as an Egyptian pyramid, a medieval castle, or an erupting volcano. Ever-grander casinos open each year, attracting patrons with such draws as replicas of New York City landmarks or roller-coasters atop tall towers. Outside the city lies Hoover Dam, a massive concrete dam that was completed in 1936 as part of a federally funded water works project.

III

Population

The population of Las Vegas increased markedly in recent decades, rising from 164,674 in 1980 to 258,295 in 1990. The city’s population in 2000 was 478,434. In 2005, Las Vegas's population was estimated at 545,147.

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According to the 2000 census, whites constituted 69.9 percent of the city’s population; blacks, 10.4 percent; Asians, 4.8 percent; Native Americans, 0.7 percent; Native Hawaiians and other Pacific Islanders, 0.4 percent; and people of mixed heritage or not reporting race, 13.8 percent. Hispanics, who may be of any race, made up 23.6 percent of the population.

Increasingly, Las Vegas is home to people who have left California for Nevada. California migrants constitute about one-third of the newcomers to Las Vegas and contribute to the growth in home construction, landscaping, residential security, and light manufacturing in the increasingly varied Vegas economy.

The growth of the Las Vegas metropolitan region was the fastest in the nation in the 1990s, increasing 83 percent between 1990 and 2000. The population of the region jumped from 528,000 in 1980 to 853,000 in 1990. By 2005 the population reached 1,711,000.

IV

Economy

Las Vegas bills itself as the “Entertainment Capital of the World,” and tourism, gaming, and entertainment represent a large portion of the city’s revenue. In addition to its renowned casinos, Las Vegas attracts visitors to its outdoor shows, including simulated volcanic eruptions, pirate duels on artificial lakes, and laser cannon displays. Indoor casino shows, with world-famous entertainers, are also popular. Annual events include the National Finals Rodeo and the Las Vegas Invitational Golf Tournament. Las Vegas is a popular destination for tours and conventions, including COMDEX, an annual computer show. The Las Vegas Motor Speedway opened in 1996.

The federal government is also a major presence in Las Vegas. Nellis Air Force Base is the city’s largest single employer. In addition, there are a number of military bases headquartered nearby, and a permanent nuclear waste site at Yucca Mountain has been proposed.

Las Vegas is served by McCarran International Airport, rail service, and several major highways.