How well do you know Las Vegas?
Las Vegas grew from a desert railroad stop into one of the world's most famous entertainment capitals. Six questions, from easy to hard, with explanations.
Did you know?
- The Luxor hotel's pyramid shines a beam of light into the sky from its peak. On clear nights, the Luxor Sky Beam is described as the strongest beam of light in the world.
- Las Vegas hosts some of the world's largest conventions. The CES technology show alone brings well over 100,000 attendees each January, filling hotel rooms across the city.
- The Bellagio's fountain show uses more than 1,200 water nozzles and lights, with jets shooting water up to 460 feet into the air in time to music.
An oasis in the desert
Las Vegas began in 1905 as a railroad town in the Mojave Desert. Its growth accelerated with the construction of nearby Hoover Dam in the 1930s and the legalization of gambling in Nevada in 1931. Today the Las Vegas Valley is home to more than two million people and welcomes tens of millions of visitors a year for entertainment, conventions and nearby natural wonders.
The Strip
The Las Vegas Strip is a four-mile stretch of Las Vegas Boulevard lined with giant resorts, many themed after places such as Paris, Venice and New York. Resorts combine hotels, restaurants, shows and shopping, and many hold thousands of rooms each.
Entertainment capital
Las Vegas is known for its shows, from magic and comedy to long-running residencies by major music stars. Its resorts also host some of the biggest trade shows in the world, such as the CES technology show held each January.
Hoover Dam and Lake Mead
About 30 miles from Las Vegas, Hoover Dam holds back the Colorado River to form Lake Mead, one of the largest reservoirs in the United States. The dam provides water and hydroelectric power to the region, and it is an engineering landmark visited by millions.
Water in the desert
Las Vegas receives only about 4 inches of rain a year and depends heavily on the Colorado River. The region has become a leader in water conservation, recycling indoor water and paying residents to replace grass lawns with desert landscaping.
Nature nearby
Beyond the lights, Las Vegas is close to dramatic landscapes. Red Rock Canyon, just outside the city, offers hiking and climbing among red sandstone cliffs, while Valley of Fire State Park and Death Valley National Park are within a few hours' drive.
Growth of a desert metropolis
The Las Vegas Valley has been one of the fastest-growing metropolitan areas in the United States for decades. Beyond tourism, the region has attracted new residents with housing, jobs and sunny weather, and it now has professional sports teams in hockey and American football, turning it into a year-round sports destination.