The Gambling Capital of the World

Deep inside the hot and dry Nevada desert lays an oasis detached from its surroundings in an almost surreal way. As you drive deeper and deeper into Clark County, Nevada, you will start hearing the rolling drums of the slot machines, the bouncing dice of the craps table, and the ringing jackpots of the casinos. Not only that, you will start noticing Broadway-style lights and sky-high signs advertising that evening's show in the Las Vegas trip: only then will you know that you've entered "Bright Light City"!

Call it what you will: "Sin City" or "the entertainment capital of the world", Las Vegas has proved itself time and again to be our planet's most exciting 131 square miles. Founded in 1905 as an extension of Clark County and intended to serve as a resort area, the city received its name from the Spanish which called the area on which it sits "The Meadows". Today, the city's population numbers over half a million people and that, of course, does not include the millions of tourists that arrive there every day of the year to wander around the Vegas strip and try their luck at the city's many casinos.

What started the phenomenon that we know today as "Vegas" all started back in 1931, when Nevada became the first state to legalize casino-style gambling. Then in 1941, a luxurious resort by the name of "El Rancho Vegas" was opened, followed by the Flamingo Hotel and resort in 1946. These would begin what has been a 60-year building frenzy which has developed into the Las Vegas strip and has stretched even beyond that midtown hotspot.

Today the city is home to some of the most lavish resorts, hotels and casinos in the world. It has become a type of playground for multi-billionaire land developers and hotel companies in their race to create a more advanced and high tech resort than their competitors. Replicas of New York, Egypt and Paris can be seen through some of these resorts which at times look more like Hollywood movie sets than vacation resorts.

The city has also played host to some of the most memorable theatrical productions. One of the most popular past-times to do in Vegas is to catch a show either before or after hitting the casino games floors and testing one's luck at the tables. International and world-renowned acts have made sure to include a Vegas date in their tours after realizing that no performance tour would be complete without a stop in Vegas. Other performers such as Bob Hope and Celine Dion have made their Vegas show a significant spot in their singing careers and their Vegas shows are memorable events for anyone who attends.

And yes, Las Vegas' appeal has drawn Hollywood producers and movie directors to either film scenes or base entire plots in the city's unusual scenery. Ever since the city received the title of the "gambling capital of the world" the cameras have been constantly rolling at the blackjack tables or on the poker faces of the city's guests, trying to capture another memorable scene from the city that never sleeps. The famous "Elvis weddings" that are notorious from their appearances in many a Vegas-based movies have made the city famous for its unusual wedding ceremonies offered in many of the street side chapels along the famous strip.

A desert town turned entertainment center and the one place on earth where just about anything can happen—Welcome to Las Vegas