By Amy Jorgensen
Established in 1905,
Las Vegas is sometimes called the Entertainment Capital of the World. While the city may be best known for its casinos, there is more to Las Vegas than gambling.
Location
Las Vegas is in the desert of Clark County in southeastern Nevada about four hours from Los Angeles. It is surrounded by dry mountains. Water resource management is, therefore, a frequent concern.
Desert climate
Because of its location, it is very rare to see snow in Las Vegas. In addition, there is very little rainfall. On average, the city sees less than an inch of rain per month, with less than 5 inches of precipitation a year. The humidity levels are also low, usually below 10 percent.
Temperatures
There is an abundance of sunshine in the city year-round. The weather is extremely hot from June to September, when temperatures in triple digits are not uncommon. The winters are short, with temperatures rarely dropping below 60°F (16°C) during the day.
Tourism
More than 37 million people visit Las Vegas each year, according to the city's tourist board. Casinos are the No. 1 draw, but visitors also can explore Hoover Dam, the Shark Reef at Mandalay Bay and the Bellagio Conservatory. You can even have dinner suspended above the city 160 feet in the air.
Accommodations
Tourists can enjoy resorts, such as the Venetian ($200 to $450 per night) or Caesars Palace (starting at around $130 per night), or more affordable hotels, such as the Flamingo (starting at $55 per night) or the Imperial Palace (as low as $20 per night).
Kids' Activities
Las Vegas attractions where kids are welcome include the Mirage Aquarium, Speed: The Ride at the NASCAR cafe, Gameworks, Pirates 4D at the Luxor and the X Scream atop the Stratosphere.
About the Author:
Amy Jorgensen is a freelance writer and college instructor from Indiana. In addition to freelancing, she has also taught writing, public speaking, business communication and customer service courses at two different colleges. Jorgensen holds a Bachelor of Science in English and a Master of Liberal Studies degree.
