Las Vegas is an internationally renowned major resort city for gambling, shopping, and fine dining. The city bills itself as The Entertainment Capital of the World, and is famous for its casino resorts and associated entertainment.

Below you will find links to various Las Vegas attractions. The Las Vegas Guide is a free online visitors guide to Las Vegas. Is this your first time to Las Vegas? These Planning Tools may be of use to you. It includes Vegas basics, flying to Vegas, maps, weather and anitinery builder.

Established in 1905, Las Vegas officially became a city in 1911. At the close of the 20th century, Las Vegas was the most populous American city founded in that century (a distinction held by Chicago in the 19th century). The city's tolerance for various forms of adult entertainment earned it the title of Sin City, and this image has made Las Vegas a popular setting for films and television programs. There are numerous outdoor lighting displays on Fremont Street, as well as elsewhere in the city.

 

The exact date is unknown, but Rafael Rivera became the first known non-Indian to set foot in the oasis-like Las Vegas Valley.

The abundant artesian spring water discovered at Las Vegas shortened the Spanish Trail to Los Angeles, eased rigors for Spanish traders and hastened the rush west for California gold. Between 1830 and 1848, the name "Vegas," as shown on maps of that day, was changed to Las Vegas which means "The Meadows" in Spanish.

Some 14 years after Rivera's discovery, John C. Fremont led an overland expedition west and camped at Las Vegas Springs on May 13, 1844.

His name is remembered today in neon as well as museums and history books. The Fremont Hotel-Casino in Downtown Las Vegas bears his name as does Fremont Street -- the main thoroughfare through the heart of casino-lined Glitter Gulch.

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Statistics provided by the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority.

How many visitors come to Las Vegas in 2010?

37,335,436

How many visitors came for conventions in 2010?

4,473,134

How many conventions were held in 2010?

18,004

What was Clark County's gaming revenue in 2010?

$8.9 Billion

What is the total number of enplaned/deplaned airline passengers in 2010?

39,757,359

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Here are a few additional websites that may be helpful to you as you begin planning your trip to IDA Expo 2012.

Wikipedia.

City of Las Vegas

McCarran International Airport

Las Vegas Weather