Description

Las Vegas ( officially the City of LasVegasand often known as simply Vegas, is a city in the UnitedStates,the most populous city in the state of Nevada, the countyseat ofClark County, and the city proper of the Las Vegas Valley.LasVegas is an internationally renowned major resort cityknownprimarily for gambling, shopping, fine dining and nightlifeand isthe leading financial, commercial, and cultural center forSouthernNevada.

The city bills itself as The Entertainment Capital of theWorld,and is famous for its mega casino–hotels andassociatedentertainment. A growing retirement and family city, LasVegas isthe 29th-most populous city in the United States, with apopulationof 603,488 at the 2013 United States Census Estimates.The 2013population of the Las Vegas metropolitan area was2,027,828. Thecity is one of the top three leading destinations inthe UnitedStates for conventions, business, and meetings. Inaddition, thecity's metropolitan area has more AAA Five Diamondhotels than anyother city in the world, and is a global leader inthe hospitalityindustry.Today, Las Vegas is one of the top touristdestinations inthe world.

Established in 1905, Las Vegas was incorporated as a cityin1911. At the close of the 20th century, Las Vegas was themostpopulous American city founded in that century (asimilardistinction earned by Chicago in the 19th century). Thecity'stolerance for numerous forms of adult entertainment earned itthetitle of Sin City, and has made Las Vegas a popular settingforfilms, television programs, and music videos.

"Las Vegas" is generally used to describe not just thecityitself, but areas beyond the city limits—especially theresortareas on and near the Las Vegas Strip—and the Las VegasValley. The4.2 mi (6.8 km) stretch of South Las Vegas Boulevardknown as theLas Vegas Strip is in the unincorporated communities ofParadise,Winchester, and Enterprise, located in Clark County.