Las Vegas and Penobscot Knob: Difference between pages
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'''Penobscot Knob''', located near [[Mountaintop, Pennsylvania]] and [[Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania]], is best known as the site of many local [[television]] and [[radio]] station [[transmitter]]s. |
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{{for|further information|Las Vegas metropolitan area|Las Vegas Strip}} |
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{{otheruses|Las Vegas}} |
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{{Infobox Settlement |
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|official_name = City of Las Vegas |
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|settlement_type = [[City]] |
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|nickname = {{nowrap|"The Entertainment Capital of the World",}}<br>"Sin City" |
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|image_skyline = Las Vegas Strip2.jpg |
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|imagesize = |
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|image_caption = Las Vegas |
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|image_flag = LVCityFlag.png |
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|image_seal = Las Vegas seal.jpg |
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|image_map = Clark County Nevada Incorporated Areas Las Vegas highlighted.svg |
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|mapsize = 250x200px |
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|map_caption = Location of Las Vegas in [[Clark County, Nevada|Clark County]], [[Nevada]] |
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|image_map1 = |
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|mapsize1 = |
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|map_caption1 = |
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|subdivision_type = [[List of countries|Country]] |
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|subdivision_name = [[United States]] |
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|subdivision_type1 = [[Political divisions of the United States|State]] |
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|subdivision_name1 = [[Nevada]] |
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|subdivision_type2 = [[List of counties in Nevada|County]] |
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|subdivision_name2 = [[Clark County, Nevada|Clark County]] |
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|government_type = [[council-manager government|Council-Manager]] |
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|leader_title = [[Mayor]] |
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|leader_name = [[Oscar Goodman|Oscar B. Goodman]] ([[Democratic Party (United States)|D]]) |
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|leader_title1 = [[City Manager]] |
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|leader_name1 = Douglas Selby |
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|area_magnitude = 1 E9 |
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|established_date = |
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|unit_pref = Imperial |
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|area_total_km2 = 340.0 |
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|area_total_sq_mi = 131.3 |
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|area_land_km2 = 339.8 |
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|area_land_sq_mi = 131.2 |
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|area_water_km2 = 0.16 |
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|area_water_sq_mi = 0.1 |
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|population_as_of = 2006 |
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|population_footnotes = <ref name=metropop>[http://www.census.gov/popest/cities/SUB-EST2006.html Population Estimates for Places over 100,000: 2000 to 2006<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref><ref>[http://www.census.gov/population/www/estimates/CBSA-est2006-annual.html Annual Estimates of the Population of Metropolitan and Micropolitan Statistical Areas<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> |
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|population_metro = 1777539 |
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|population_total = 552539 |
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|population_density_km2 = 1604 |
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|population_density_sq_mi = 4154 |
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|timezone = [[Pacific Standard Time Zone|PST]] |
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|utc_offset = −8 |
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|timezone_DST = [[Pacific Daylight Time|PDT]] |
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|utc_offset_DST = −7 |
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|postal_code_type = [[ZIP code]]s |
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|postal_code = |
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|area_code = [[Area code 702|702]] |
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|latd = 36 |latm = 10 |lats = 30 |latNS = N |
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|longd = 115 |longm = 08 |longs = 11 |longEW = W |
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|elevation_m = 610 |
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|elevation_ft = 2001 |
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|website = [http://www.lasvegasnevada.gov/ City of Las Vegas Nevada] |
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|blank_name = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]] |
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|blank_info = 32-40000 |
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|blank1_name = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID |
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|blank1_info = 0847388 |
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|footnotes = |
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}} |
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'''Las Vegas''' ([[Spanish language|Spanish]]: "The Meadows") is the most populous [[city]] in the state of [[Nevada]], the seat of [[Clark County, Nevada|Clark County]], and an internationally renowned major [[resort]] city for the [[gambling|gaming]] industry, [[shopping]], and [[entertainment]]. Las Vegas, billed as [[The Entertainment Capital of the World]], is famous for the number of large [[casino]] resorts and their associated entertainment. The city's tolerance for various forms of [[adult entertainment]] earned it the title of [[Sin City (description)|Sin City]], and this image has made Las Vegas a popular setting for [[film]]s and [[television program]]s. Outdoor lighting displays are everywhere on the [[Las Vegas Strip]] and are seen elsewhere in the city as well; as seen from space, Las |
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Vegas is the brightest city on earth.<ref name=geochange.er.usgs.gov>{{citeweb|url=http://geochange.er.usgs.gov/sw/changes/anthropogenic/city_lights/|title=The Extent of Urbanization in the Southwest As Viewed from Space|author=unknown|accessdate=9-7-2008}}</ref> |
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==Analog Broadcast Tower Collapse== |
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Established in 1905, Las Vegas officially became a city in 1911. With the growth that followed, at the close of the century Las Vegas was the most populous American city founded in the 20th century (a distinction held by [[Chicago]] in the 19th century). As the [[List of United States cities by population|28th most populous city]] in the United States during the [[2000 census]], the Las Vegas metropolitan area exceeds 2.0 million residents, and is one of most populous cities in the [[Western United States|American West]]. |
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WNEP-TV's transmission tower broadcasting the analog signal on channel 16 collapsed on [[December 16]], [[2007]]<ref>[http://www.wnep.com/Global/story.asp?S=750352 Our Apologies<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> due to severe ice, winds, and snow at the transmitter location on [[Penobscot Knob]]. The tower collapse also destroyed the transmitter building. No one was injured during the incident. Transmission of the digital signal on channel 49 was restored after a brief interruption of power to the tower supporting the digital transmitter and antenna. WNEP's signal on local cable systems and satellite was restored before the end of the day. The ice and winds on [[December 16]], [[2007]] also brought down or damaged the towers broadcasting [[WYOU-TV]], [[WBRE-TV]] (digital), [[WVIA-TV]] (analog and digital), and [[WCLH]] which are located within close proximity on [[Penobscot Knob]]. |
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The name Las Vegas is often applied to the [[unincorporated area]]s of [[Clark County, Nevada|Clark County]] that surround the city, especially the resort areas on and near the [[Las Vegas Strip]]. This 4.5-[[mile]] (7.2-[[kilometre|km]]) stretch of [[Las Vegas Boulevard]] is mostly outside the [[city limits]], in the [[unincorporated area|unincorporated towns]] of [[Paradise, Nevada|Paradise]] and [[Winchester, Nevada|Winchester]]. |
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== History == |
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{{main|History of Las Vegas}} |
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===Founding=== |
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Las Vegas was named by [[Spain|Spaniards]] in the [[Antonio Armijo]] party, who used the water in the area while heading north and west along the [[Old Spanish Trail (trade route)|Old Spanish Trail]] from [[Texas]]. In the 1800s, areas of the [[Las Vegas Valley]] contained [[artesian aquifer|artesian]] wells that supported extensive green areas or ''[[meadow]]s'' (''vegas'' in [[Spanish language|Spanish]]), hence the name ''Las Vegas''. |
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[[Image:LasVegasSign06212005.jpg|thumb|left|The [[Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas sign|Las Vegas Sign]]]] |
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[[John C. Frémont]] traveled into the Las Vegas Valley on [[May 3]], [[1844]], while it was still part of [[Mexico]]. He was a leader of a group of [[scientist]]s, [[Reconnaissance|scout]]s and observers for the [[United States Army Corps of Engineers]]. On [[May 10]], [[1855]], following [[Mexican Cession|annexation]] by the [[United States]], [[Brigham Young]] assigned 30 [[missionary|missionaries]] of [[The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints]] led by William Bringhurst to the area to convert the [[Paiute]] [[Native Americans of the United States|Indian]] population to [[Mormonism]]. A [[Old Las Vegas Mormon State Historic Park|fort]] was built near the current downtown area, serving as a stopover for travelers along the "[[Mormon Corridor]]" between [[Salt Lake City, Utah|Salt Lake]] and the briefly thriving colony of "saints" at [[San Bernardino, California]]. However, Mormons abandoned Las Vegas in 1857. Las Vegas was established as a [[Railway town|railroad town]] on [[May 15]], [[1905]], when 110 acres (44.5 ha) owned by [[Montana]] [[U.S. Senator|Senator]] [[William A. Clark]]'s [[Los Angeles and Salt Lake Railroad|San Pedro, Los Angeles and Salt Lake Railroad]], was auctioned off in what is now [[downtown Las Vegas]]. Las Vegas was part of [[Lincoln County, Nevada|Lincoln County]] until 1909 when it became part of the newly established [[Clark County, Nevada|Clark County]]. The St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church near 4th and Bridger in downtown was founded in 1910.<ref> Chung, Su Kim. ''Las Vegas Then and Now''. Thunder Bay Press. San Diego, California: 2005. p. 36</ref>Las Vegas became an [[city|incorporated city]] on [[March 16]], [[1911]]. |
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[[Image:Lasvegas.usa.arp.400pix.jpg|thumb|right]] |
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Gambling was legalized on [[March 19]], [[1931]] in the city and the opening of [[Bugsy Siegel|Bugsy Siegel's]] [[Flamingo Las Vegas|Flamingo Hotel]] on what would become the [[Las Vegas Strip]] on [[December 26]], [[1946]]. Various events have had an impact on the city. The [[Hoover Dam]] was completed on [[October 9]], [[1936]] and atmospheric [[nuclear testing]] was conducted at the [[Nevada Test Site]] (1951 to 1962). On [[November 21]], [[1980]] a [[MGM Grand fire|Hotel fire]] at the [[MGM Grand Hotel and Casino|MGM Grand]], devastated the city and State of Nevada. On [[November 22]], [[1989]] the opening of [[The Mirage]] began the era of [[megaresort]] casinos. |
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===Economic history=== |
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Las Vegas started as a stopover on the pioneer trails to the west, and became a popular [[railroad]] town in the early 1900s. It was a staging point for all the mines in the surrounding area, especially those around the town of Bullfrog, that shipped their goods out to the rest of the country. With the proliferation of the railroads, Las Vegas became less important, but the completion of the nearby [[Hoover Dam]] resulted in a substantial growth in tourism, which, along with the legalization of gambling, led to the advent of the casino-hotels for which Las Vegas is famous. |
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The city owes almost all its current status and reputation to the American mafia. All of the original large casinos were managed or at least funded under mob figures [[Benjamin "Bugsy" Siegel]] and [[Meyer Lansky]].<ref name=ispn.org>{{citeweb|url=http://www.ipsn.org/casinos.html|title=Las Vegas Casinos and Past Mob Ties|author=unknown|accessdate=2008-02-16}}</ref> |
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The constant stream of tourist dollars from the hotels and casinos was augmented by a new source of federal money. This money came from the establishment of what is now [[Nellis Air Force Base]]. The influx of [[Soldier|military personnel]] and casino job-hunters helped start a land building boom which still goes on today. |
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Although the city's gambling economy continues to expand, in 2006 gambling revenues in the [[Macau Special Administrative Region]] in the [[People's Republic of China]] surpassed those in Las Vegas, making [[Macau]] the largest gambling center in the world. With revenues in excess of $10 billion for 2007, Macau is poised to surpass the entire state of [[Nevada]] in gambling revenues. Due to the gambling boom in Macau, many traditional Las Vegas casino developers, such as [[Steve Wynn]], are pursuing multi-billion dollar projects in its expanding market. There is no evidence as of yet to suggest that gambling growth in Macau is shifting growth away from Las Vegas.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2007/01/24/business/worldbusiness/24Macau.html?ex=1327294800&en=150850fd9370148a&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss|title=Asian Rival Moves Past Las Vegas |accessdate=2007-01-24|author=David Barboza|publisher=New York Times}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/18/business/worldbusiness/18gamble.html?scp=3&sq=macao&st=nyt|title=American in Action as Macao Casinos Soar |accessdate=2008-06-10|author=Donald Greenlees|publisher=New York Times}}</ref> |
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==Geography== |
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[[Image:Lasvegasclimate.jpg|right|thumb|Typical desert scene in the Las Vegas area.]] |
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===Topography=== |
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Las Vegas is located at {{coor dms|36|11|39|N|115|13|19|W|}} (36.194168, 115.222060){{GR|1}}. According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the city has a total area of 131.3 square miles (340.0 [[square kilometre|km<sup>2</sup>]]), of which, 131.2 square miles (339.8 km<sup>2</sup>) of it is land and 0.1 square miles (0.26 km<sup>2</sup>) of it (0.04%) is water. |
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The city is located in an arid [[Basin and Range|basin]] surrounded by mountains varying in color from pink to rust to gray. City elevation is around 2030 feet (620 m) above [[sea level]]. The [[Spring Mountains]] lie to the west. As befits a desert, much of the landscape is rocky and dusty. Within the city, however, there are a great deal of lawns, trees, and other greenery. Due to water resource issues, there is now a movement to encourage [[xeriscaping|xeriscapes]] instead of lawns. Another part of the [[water conservation]] efforts include scheduled watering groups for watering residential landscaping. |
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[[Image:CCF12162007 00000.jpg|thumb|Las Vegas]] |
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===Climate=== |
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Las Vegas' climate is an [[arid]] desert climate ([[Koppen climate classification]] ''BWh'') typical of the [[Mojave Desert]], in which it is located, marked with very hot summers, mild winters, abundant sunshine year-round, and very little rainfall. Temperatures in the [[Fahrenheit|90s °F]] (mid-30s °C) are common in the months of May, June, and September and temperatures normally exceed 100 °F (38 °C) most days in the months of July and August, but with very low humidity, frequently under 10%. The hottest temperature ever recorded is 117 °F (47 °C) set twice, on [[July 19]], [[2005]], at [[McCarran International Airport]] and [[July 24]], [[1942]], at present-day [[Nellis Air Force Base]]. Winters are mild and usually are cool and windy, with the majority of Las Vegas' annual 4.49 [[inch|in]] (114 [[millimetre|mm]]) of rainfall coming from January to March.<ref>[http://www.lasvegasnow.com/ KLAS-TV on many broadcasts along with other stations broadcasts]</ref> Winter daytime highs are normally around 60 °F (16 °C) and winter nighttime lows are usually around 40 °F (4 °C). The coldest temperature ever recorded is 8 °F (−13 °C) set on [[January 25]], [[1937]], at present-day Nellis Air Force Base. Showers occur less frequently in the Spring or Autumn. July through September, the Mexican [[monsoon]] often brings enough moisture from the [[Gulf of California]] across Mexico and into the southwest to cause afternoon and evening [[thunderstorm]]s. Although winter [[snow]] is usually visible from December to May on the mountains surrounding Las Vegas, it rarely snows in the city itself. Although temperature and precipitation records for Las Vegas date back to the early part of the 20th Century, official temperature and precipitation records for Las Vegas date back as early as 1937. |
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<center> |
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{| class="wikitable" "text-align:center;font-size:90%;"| |
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| colspan="14" style="text-align:center;font-size:120%;"|Monthly Normal and Record High and Low Temperatures |
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|- |
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! style="background: #E5AFAA; color: #000000" height="17" | Month |
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! style="background: #E5AFAA; color:#000000;" | Jan |
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! style="background: #E5AFAA; color:#000000;" | Feb |
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! style="background: #E5AFAA; color:#000000;" | Mar |
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! style="background: #E5AFAA; color:#000000;" | Apr |
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! style="background: #E5AFAA; color:#000000;" | May |
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! style="background: #E5AFAA; color:#000000;" | Jun |
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! style="background: #E5AFAA; color:#000000;" | Jul |
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! style="background: #E5AFAA; color:#000000;" | Aug |
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! style="background: #E5AFAA; color:#000000;" | Sep |
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! style="background: #E5AFAA; color:#000000;" | Oct |
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! style="background: #E5AFAA; color:#000000;" | Nov |
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! style="background: #E5AFAA; color:#000000;" | Dec |
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! style="background: #E5AFAA; color:#000000;" | Year |
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|- |
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! style="background: #E5AFAA; color:#000000;" height="16;" | Rec Daytime High °F/ °C |
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| style="text-align:center; background: #E8EAFA; color:#000000;" | 77/ 25 |
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| style="text-align:center; background: #E8EAFA; color:#000000;" | 87/ 31 |
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| style="text-align:center; background: #E8EAFA; color:#000000;" | 92/ 33 |
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| style="text-align:center; background: #E8EAFA; color:#000000;" | 99/ 37 |
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| style="text-align:center; background: #E8EAFA; color:#000000;" | 109/ 42.8 |
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| style="text-align:center; background: #E8EAFA; color:#000000;" | 115/ 46 |
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| style="text-align:center; background: #E8EAFA; color:#000000;" | 117/ 47 |
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| style="text-align:center; background: #E8EAFA; color:#000000;" | 116/ 46.6 |
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| style="text-align:center; background: #E8EAFA; color:#000000;" | 113/ 45 |
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| style="text-align:center; background: #E8EAFA; color:#000000;" | 103/ 39.4 |
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| style="text-align:center; background: #E8EAFA; color:#000000;" | 87/ 31 |
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| style="text-align:center; background: #E8EAFA; color:#000000;" | 77/ 25 |
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| style="text-align:center; background: #E8EAFA; color:#000000;" | 117/ 47 |
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|- |
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! style="background: #E5AFAA; color:#000000;" height="16;" | Average High °F/°C |
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| style="text-align:center; background: #F8F3CA; color:#000000;" | 57.1/ 13.9 |
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| style="text-align:center; background: #F8F3CA; color:#000000;" | 63/ 17.2 |
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| style="text-align:center; background: #F8F3CA; color:#000000;" | 69.5/ 20.7 |
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| style="text-align:center; background: #F8F3CA; color:#000000;" | 78.1/ 25.6 |
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| style="text-align:center; background: #F8F3CA; color:#000000;" | 87.8/ 31.0 |
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| style="text-align:center; background: #F8F3CA; color:#000000;" | 98.9/ 37.2 |
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| style="text-align:center; background: #F8F3CA; color:#000000;" | 104.1/ 40.1 |
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| style="text-align:center; background: #F8F3CA; color:#000000;" | 101.8/ 38.8 |
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| style="text-align:center; background: #F8F3CA; color:#000000;" | 93.8/ 34.3 |
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| style="text-align:center; background: #F8F3CA; color:#000000;" | 80.8/ 27.1 |
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| style="text-align:center; background: #F8F3CA; color:#000000;" | 66/ 18.9 |
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| style="text-align:center; background: #F8F3CA; color:#000000;" | 57.3/ 14.1 |
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| style="text-align:center; background: #F8F3CA; color:#000000;" | 79.9/ 26.8 |
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|- |
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! style="background: #E5AFAA; color:#000000;" height="16;" | Rec Nighttime High °F/°C |
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| style="text-align:center; background: #E8EAFA; color:#000000;" | 58/ 14 |
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| style="text-align:center; background: #E8EAFA; color:#000000;" | 59/ 15 |
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| style="text-align:center; background: #E8EAFA; color:#000000;" | 71/ 21 |
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| style="text-align:center; background: #E8EAFA; color:#000000;" | 74/ 23 |
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| style="text-align:center; background: #E8EAFA; color:#000000;" | 89/ 32 |
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| style="text-align:center; background: #E8EAFA; color:#000000;" | 89/ 32 |
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| style="text-align:center; background: #E8EAFA; color:#000000;" | 95/ 35 |
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| style="text-align:center; background: #E8EAFA; color:#000000;" | 90/ 33 |
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| style="text-align:center; background: #E8EAFA; color:#000000;" | 84/ 29 |
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| style="text-align:center; background: #E8EAFA; color:#000000;" | 79/ 27 |
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| style="text-align:center; background: #E8EAFA; color:#000000;" | 62/ 16 |
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| style="text-align:center; background: #E8EAFA; color:#000000;" | 57/ 14 |
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| style="text-align:center; background: #E8EAFA; color:#000000;" | 95/ 35 |
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|- |
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|- |
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! style="background: #E5AFAA; color:#000000;" height="16;" | Average Low °F/°C |
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| style="text-align:center; background: #C5DFE1; color:#000000;" | 36.8/ 2.8 |
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| style="text-align:center; background: #C5DFE1; color:#000000;" | 41.4/ 5.2 |
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| style="text-align:center; background: #C5DFE1; color:#000000;" | 47/ 8.3 |
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| style="text-align:center; background: #C5DFE1; color:#000000;" | 53.9/ 12.2 |
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| style="text-align:center; background: #C5DFE1; color:#000000;" | 62.9/ 17.2 |
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| style="text-align:center; background: #C5DFE1; color:#000000;" | 72.3/ 22.4 |
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| style="text-align:center; background: #C5DFE1; color:#000000;" | 78.2/ 25.7 |
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| style="text-align:center; background: #C5DFE1; color:#000000;" | 76.7/ 24.8 |
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| style="text-align:center; background: #C5DFE1; color:#000000;" | 68.8/ 20.4 |
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| style="text-align:center; background: #C5DFE1; color:#000000;" | 56.5/ 13.6 |
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| style="text-align:center; background: #C5DFE1; color:#000000;" | 44/ 6.7 |
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| style="text-align:center; background: #C5DFE1; color:#000000;" | 36.6/ 2.6 |
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| style="text-align:center; background: #C5DFE1; color:#000000;" | 56.3/ 13.5 |
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|- |
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! style="background: #E5AFAA; color:#000000;" height="16;" | Rec Nighttime Low °F/°C |
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| style="text-align:center; background: #E8EAFA; color:#000000;" | 8/ −13 |
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| style="text-align:center; background: #E8EAFA; color:#000000;" | 16/ −9 |
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| style="text-align:center; background: #E8EAFA; color:#000000;" | 23/ −5 |
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| style="text-align:center; background: #E8EAFA; color:#000000;" | 31/ −1 |
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| style="text-align:center; background: #E8EAFA; color:#000000;" | 40/ 5 |
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| style="text-align:center; background: #E8EAFA; color:#000000;" | 48/ 9 |
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| style="text-align:center; background: #E8EAFA; color:#000000;" | 60/ 16 |
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| style="text-align:center; background: #E8EAFA; color:#000000;" | 56/ 13 |
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| style="text-align:center; background: #E8EAFA; color:#000000;" | 46/ 8 |
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| style="text-align:center; background: #E8EAFA; color:#000000;" | 26/ −3 |
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| style="text-align:center; background: #E8EAFA; color:#000000;" | 21/ −6 |
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| style="text-align:center; background: #E8EAFA; color:#000000;" | 11/ −12 |
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| style="text-align:center; background: #E8EAFA; color:#000000;" | 8/ −13 |
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|- |
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! style="background: #E5AFAA; color:#000000;" height="16;" | Rec Daytime Low °F/°C |
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| style="text-align:center; background: #F8F3CA; color:#000000;" | 28/ −2 |
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| style="text-align:center; background: #F8F3CA; color:#000000;" | 34/ 1 |
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| style="text-align:center; background: #F8F3CA; color:#000000;" | 42/ 6 |
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| style="text-align:center; background: #F8F3CA; color:#000000;" | 48/ 9 |
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| style="text-align:center; background: #F8F3CA; color:#000000;" | 60/ 16 |
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| style="text-align:center; background: #F8F3CA; color:#000000;" | 67/ 19 |
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| style="text-align:center; background: #F8F3CA; color:#000000;" | 81/ 27 |
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| style="text-align:center; background: #F8F3CA; color:#000000;" | 74/ 23 |
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| style="text-align:center; background: #F8F3CA; color:#000000;" | 67/ 19 |
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| style="text-align:center; background: #F8F3CA; color:#000000;" | 50/ 10 |
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| style="text-align:center; background: #F8F3CA; color:#000000;" | 42/ 6 |
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| style="text-align:center; background: #F8F3CA; color:#000000;" | 32/ 0 |
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| style="text-align:center; background: #F8F3CA; color:#000000;" | 28/ −2 |
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|- |
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! style="background: #E5AFAA; color:#000000;" height="16;" | Precip (in/cm) |
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| style="text-align:center; background: #E8EAFA; color:#000000;" | 0.59/ 1.50 |
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| style="text-align:center; background: #E8EAFA; color:#000000;" | 0.69/ 1.75 |
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| style="text-align:center; background: #E8EAFA; color:#000000;" | 0.59/ 1.50 |
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| style="text-align:center; background: #E8EAFA; color:#000000;" | 0.15/ 0.38 |
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| style="text-align:center; background: #E8EAFA; color:#000000;" | 0.24/ 0.61 |
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| style="text-align:center; background: #E8EAFA; color:#000000;" | 0.08/ 0.20 |
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| style="text-align:center; background: #E8EAFA; color:#000000;" | 0.44/ 1.12 |
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| style="text-align:center; background: #E8EAFA; color:#000000;" | 0.45/ 1.14 |
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| style="text-align:center; background: #E8EAFA; color:#000000;" | 0.31/ 0.79 |
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| style="text-align:center; background: #E8EAFA; color:#000000;" | 0.24/ 0.61 |
|||
| style="text-align:center; background: #E8EAFA; color:#000000;" | 0.31/ 0.79 |
|||
| style="text-align:center; background: #E8EAFA; color:#000000;" | 0.4/ 1.02 |
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| style="text-align:center; background: #E8EAFA; color:#000000;" | 4.49/ 11.40 |
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|- |
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! style="background: #E5AFAA; color:#000000;" height="16;" | Average snow (in/cm) |
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| style="text-align:center; background: #F8F3CA; color:#000000;" | 0.9/ 2.3 |
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| style="text-align:center; background: #F8F3CA; color:#000000;" | 0.1/ 0.3 |
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| style="text-align:center; background: #F8F3CA; color:#000000;" | <0.1/ <0.1 |
|||
| style="text-align:center; background: #F8F3CA; color:#000000;" | none |
|||
| style="text-align:center; background: #F8F3CA; color:#000000;" | none |
|||
| style="text-align:center; background: #F8F3CA; color:#000000;" | none |
|||
| style="text-align:center; background: #F8F3CA; color:#000000;" | none |
|||
| style="text-align:center; background: #F8F3CA; color:#000000;" | none |
|||
| style="text-align:center; background: #F8F3CA; color:#000000;" | none |
|||
| style="text-align:center; background: #F8F3CA; color:#000000;" | none |
|||
| style="text-align:center; background: #F8F3CA; color:#000000;" | none |
|||
| style="text-align:center; background: #F8F3CA; color:#000000;" | none |
|||
| style="text-align:center; background: #F8F3CA; color:#000000;" | <0.1/ <0.1 |
|||
|- |
|||
! style="background: #E5AFAA; color:#000000;" height="16;" | Record snow (in/cm) |
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| style="text-align:center; background: #E8EAFA; color:#000000;" | 16.7/ 42.4 |
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| style="text-align:center; background: #E8EAFA; color:#000000;" | 4.1/ 10.4 |
|||
| style="text-align:center; background: #E8EAFA; color:#000000;" | 0.1/ .3 |
|||
| style="text-align:center; background: #E8EAFA; color:#000000;" | none |
|||
| style="text-align:center; background: #E8EAFA; color:#000000;" | none |
|||
| style="text-align:center; background: #E8EAFA; color:#000000;" | none |
|||
| style="text-align:center; background: #E8EAFA; color:#000000;" | none |
|||
| style="text-align:center; background: #E8EAFA; color:#000000;" | none |
|||
| style="text-align:center; background: #E8EAFA; color:#000000;" | none |
|||
| style="text-align:center; background: #E8EAFA; color:#000000;" | trace |
|||
| style="text-align:center; background: #E8EAFA; color:#000000;" | 4.0/ 10.2 |
|||
| style="text-align:center; background: #E8EAFA; color:#000000;" | 2.0/ 5.1 |
|||
| style="text-align:center; background: #E8EAFA; color:#000000;" | 16.7/ 42.4 |
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|- |
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| colspan="14" style="text-align:center;font-size:90%;"|''Source: National Weather Service [http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/vef/climate/index.php]'' |
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|} |
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</center> |
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===Environment=== |
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Las Vegas is situated on the arid floor within Clark County. Correspondingly, the surrounding environment is dominated by [[desert]] [[vegetation]] and some [[wildlife]], and the area can be subject to torrential [[flash flood]]s. Enabling the rapid [[Population growth|population expansion]] was a major addition to the city's [[sewage treatment]] capacity. The sewage treatment expansion resulted from a [[U.S. Environmental Protection Agency]] grant funded 208 programs to analyze and forecast growth and [[environmental impact]]s through the year 2019. |
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==Cityscape== |
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{{Panorama simple |
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|image = Image:Las Vegas Strip panorama.jpg |
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|fullwidth = 6000 |
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|fullheight = 1100 |
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|caption = The Las Vegas Strip by night with [[Project CityCenter]] construction on the bottom right |
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|height = 250 |
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}} |
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===Redevelopment=== |
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{{seealso|List of tallest buildings in Las Vegas}} |
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<!--- Measurements Wikified to WP Style Guide ---> |
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[[Image:Las Vegas strip.jpg|thumb|right|The south end of the [[Las Vegas Strip]] in 2003.]] |
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[[Image:Mirage Las Vegas McDonough.jpg|thumb|right|[[The Mirage]]]] |
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[[Image:Caesars Palace Night.jpg|thumb|right|[[Caesars Palace]]]] |
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When [[The Mirage]], the first Megaresort, opened in 1989, it started a movement of people and construction away from downtown Las Vegas to the [[Las Vegas Strip]]. This resulted in a drop in tourism from the downtown area but many recent projects and condo construction have seen an increase in visitors to downtown. |
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A concerted effort has been made by city officials to diversify the [[economics|economy]] from [[tourism]] by attracting light [[manufacturing]], [[banking]], and other commercial interests. The lack of any state individual or corporate [[income tax]] and very simple [[incorporation (business)|incorporation]] requirements have fostered the success of this effort. |
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Having been late to develop an urban core of any substantial size, Las Vegas has retained very affordable [[Real estate pricing|real estate prices]] in comparison to other western U.S. cities. Consequently, the city has recently enjoyed an enormous boom both in population and in tourism. However, as a ''[[The New York Times|New York Times]]'' series on the city reported in 2004, the median price of housing in the Las Vegas Valley is now at or above the nationwide median. The urban area has grown outward so quickly that it is beginning to run into [[Bureau of Land Management]] holdings along its edges, increasing land values enough that medium- and high-density development is beginning to occur closer to the core. |
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As a reflection of the city's rapid growing population, the new [[Chinatown, Las Vegas|Chinatown of Las Vegas]] was constructed in the [[1990s|early 1990s]] on Spring Mountain Road. Chinatown initially consisted of only one large [[Shopping mall|shopping center]] complex, but the area was recently expanded for new shopping centers that contain various Asian businesses. |
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[[Image:freemontst.jpg|thumb|left|Downtown Las Vegas: The Fremont Street Experience outside of [[Binion's Horseshoe]] Casino.]] |
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With the Strip expansion in the 1990s, the downtown area (which has maintained an old Las Vegas feel) began to suffer. The city made a concise effort to turn around the fortunes of downtown. The [[Fremont Street Experience]] (FSE) was built in an effort to draw tourists back to the area and has proven to be popular in that regard. The multi-level [[Neonopolis]], complete with 11 theaters (managed by Galaxy Theaters, Inc.), was built to offer more retail opportunity and services. Many highrise condo projects have also been underway as downtown is transforming into a livable neighborhood. Other promising signs emerged for the area. The city had successfully lured the [[Internal Revenue Service]] operations from the far west of the city to a new downtown building that opened in April 2005. The IRS move is expected to create a greater demand for additional businesses in the area, especially in the daytime hours. |
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[[Image:Newport1.jpg|thumb|left|Newport Lofts high-rise development under construction with newly finished Soho Lofts in the background.]] |
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The city purchased 61 [[acre]]s (247,000 m<sup>2</sup>) of property from [[Union Pacific Railroad]] in 1995 with the goal of creating something that would draw more tourists and locals to the downtown area. In 2004 Las Vegas Mayor [[Oscar Goodman]] announced plans for the [[Union Park Development]] which will include residential and office high-rises, The [[Lou Ruvo Alzheimer's Institute|Lou Ruvo Brain Institute]], an academic [[Medical Center|medical center]], [[The Smith Center for the Performing Arts]], and a new City Hall. After failed negotiations with [[The Related Companies|The Related Co.]] on the development of Union Park in October of 2005, [[San Diego]]-based Newland Communities was chosen by the city as the new development firm. The Newland contract calls for [[Dan Van Epp]], Newland's regional vice president and former president of the [[The Howard Hughes Corporation|Howard Hughes Corp]]., to oversee his company's work on [[Union Park Development|Union Park]]. The [[Lou Ruvo Alzheimer's Institute|Lou Ruvo Brain Institute]] is expected to be completed in 2007. |
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Along with the Union Park Development, other promising residential and office developments have begun construction around downtown Las Vegas. New [[condominium]] and hotel [[High-rise|high rise]] projects have changed the entire Las Vegas skyline dramatically in recent years. Many large high-rise projects are planned for downtown Las Vegas as well as the [[Las Vegas Strip]]. |
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[[Image:Fremont Street 1986.jpg|thumb|right|[[Fremont Street]]]] |
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The city council of Las Vegas has also agreed on zoning changes on [[Fremont Street]], which allows bars to be closer together, such as the [[Gaslamp Quarter]] of [[San Diego, California|San Diego]]. It is expected that this change will bring more tourism and business to the downtown area. |
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In 2004, the city partnered with Cheetah Wireless Technologies and MeshNetwork to pilot a wide area mobile broadband system. The pilot system is installed downtown, around the Fremont Street Experience. |
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In 2005, on a lot adjacent to the city's 61 ac (247,000 m<sup>2</sup>), the [[World Market Center]] opened. It is intended to be the nation's and possibly the world's preeminent [[furniture]] [[wholesale]] [[showroom]] and marketplace, and is meant to compete with the current furniture market capital of [[High Point, North Carolina]]. |
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On [[October 23]], [[2006]], plans were unveiled to build a World Jewelry Center in Downtown's Union Park. Similar to the World Market Center, the WJC will be a one stop shop for jewelry [[Trade fair|trade shows]] from around the world. The project proposes a 57-story, {{convert|815|ft|m|sing=on}} [[Skyscraper|office tower]].<ref name="WJC">{{cite news |first=Ken |last=Ritter |authorlink= |coauthors= |title= Developer, Las Vegas officials tout plan for jewelry marketplace |url= http://www.lasvegassun.com/sunbin/stories/nevada/2006/oct/23/102310894.html |work=[[Las Vegas Sun]] |publisher= |date= [[October 23]], [[2006]] | accessdate=2007-03-17}}</ref> |
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== Economy == |
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[[Image:New York, New York Casino at night.jpg|thumb|right|New York casino]] |
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[[Image:LasVegas-Casino.jpg|right|thumb|Interior of the [[Circus Circus]] casino. A major part of the city economy is based on tourism, including gambling.]] |
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The primary drivers of the Las Vegas economy have been the confluence of [[tourism]], [[Gambling|gaming]], and [[Convention (meeting)|conventions]] which in turn feed the [[retail]] and [[Restaurant|dining]] industries. Several companies involved in the manufacture of electronic gaming machines, such as [[slot machine]]s, are located in the Las Vegas area. In the 2000s retail and dining have become attractions of their own. |
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Tourism marketing and promotion are handled by the [[Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority]], a county wide agency. Its annual Visitors Survey provides detailed information on visitor numbers, spending patterns and resulting revenues [http://www.lvcva.com/press/statistics-facts/index.jsp?whichDept=stats]. |
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[[Image:Lasvegascourthouse.jpg|left|thumb|The [[U.S. District Court for the District of Nevada#Las Vegas|Lloyd D. George Federal District Courthouse]] in Las Vegas is the first Federal Building built to the post-[[Oklahoma City bombing|Oklahoma City blast]] resistant standards.]] |
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Las Vegas, as the county seat and home to the [[U.S. District Court for the District of Nevada#Las Vegas|Lloyd D. George Federal District Courthouse]], draws numerous legal [[Service industry|service industries]] providing [[bail]], [[marriage]], [[divorce]], [[tax]], [[incorporation (business)|incorporation]] and other legal services. |
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Some technology companies have either relocated to Las Vegas or were created there. For various reasons, the Las Vegas area has had a high concentration of technology companies in electronic gaming and telecommunications industries. Some current technology companies in southern Nevada include [[Bigelow Aerospace]], CommPartners, Datanamics, eVital Communications, [[Petroglyph (game studio)|Petroglyph]], SkywireMedia, Switch Communications, and WorldDoc. Companies that originally were formed in Las Vegas, but have since sold or relocated include [[Westwood Studios]] (sold to [[Electronic Arts]]), Systems Research & Development (Sold to IBM), Yellowpages.com (Sold to Bellsouth and SBC), and MPower Communications. |
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Constant population growth means that the housing construction industry is vitally important. In 2000 more than 21,000 new homes and 26,000 resale homes were purchased. In early 2005 there were 20 residential development projects of more than {{convert|300|acre|km2}} each underway. |
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== Culture == |
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{{main|Las Vegas metropolitan area}} |
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===Tourism===<!-- This section is linked from [[Las Vegas culture (archaeology)]] --> |
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The major attractions in Las Vegas are the casinos. The most famous hotels are located on Las Vegas Boulevard, better known as the [[Las Vegas Strip]]. Many of these hotels carry thousands of rooms. There are, of course, large casino areas in these hotels as well. There are many hotel casinos in the city's downtown area as well, which was the original focal point of the city's gaming industry in its early days. Several large hotels and casinos are also located somewhat off the Strip but adjacent to it, as well as [[:Category:Casinos in Las Vegas| in the county]] around the city. |
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[[Image:Golden nugget 2000.jpg|thumb|right|[[Golden Nugget Las Vegas]]]] |
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[[Image:4queens-sign.jpg|thumb|right|[[Four Queens]]]] |
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Some of the most notable casinos located downtown are on the [[Fremont Street Experience]] and include: |
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*[[Golden Nugget Las Vegas|Golden Nugget]] |
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*[[Four Queens]] |
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*[[Binion's Gambling Hall and Hotel]] |
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*[[Fremont Hotel and Casino|Fremont Casino]] |
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*[[Plaza Hotel & Casino]] |
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*[[Las Vegas Club]] |
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*[[Fitzgeralds Las Vegas]] |
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*[[Golden Gate Hotel and Casino]] |
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*[[California Hotel and Casino]] |
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===Parks=== |
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* [http://www.lasvegasnevada.gov/Find/parks_facilities.asp City of Las Vegas] Parks listing |
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* [[Las Vegas Springs Preserve]] Recreational and educational facility |
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* [[Floyd Lamb State Park]] |
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===Music=== |
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A number of popular music acts have originated from Las Vegas including rock bands [[The Killers (band)|The Killers]], [[Panic at the Disco]], [[The Higher]], [[The Cab]],[[Escape The Fate]], Curl Up and Die, [[Slaughter (band)|Slaughter]], rhythm and blues group 702 (band), hip-hop recording artist [[Lil Jay]] and singer [[Jenny Lewis]]. While the electronic music duo [[The Crystal Method]] was founded in [[Los Angeles]], both members, Ken Jordan and Scott Kirkland, are from Las Vegas. |
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===Local Arts=== |
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On the first Friday of each month, the "First Friday" celebration is held which exhibits the works of local artists and musicians in a section of the city's Downtown region now called the "Arts District".[http://www.firstfriday-lasvegas.org/] |
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===Sports=== |
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{{main|Sports in Las Vegas}} |
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Las Vegas does not have major-league sports, although the metropolitan population is as large or larger than many cities with professional sports teams. Part of the reason is that professional leagues are concerned about legal sports betting and the competition in entertainment. The city currently has two minor league sports teams, in baseball and hockey: The [[Las Vegas 51s]] of the [[Pacific Coast League]] (the AAA farm club of the [[Los Angeles Dodgers]]), and the [[Las Vegas Wranglers]] of the [[ECHL]], respectively. |
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In the past, the city had teams in the [[Canadian Football League]], the [[XFL]] and the [[Arena Football League]]. There was recent mention in the local media that the [[San Diego Chargers]] of the [[NFL]] may be considering Las Vegas as a relocation destination. There is speculation that the completion of a new arena (currently under construction) will bring teams from the [[NBA]] and [[NHL]]. The city is reportedly on the short list of [[Major League Soccer]] for an expansion franchise in the near future. There have also been contacts between city officials and several [[Major League Baseball]] owners regarding relocation. The ownership of the [[Florida Marlins]] held a widely-publicized meeting with Mayor [[Oscar Goodman]] in the winter of 2006. The city was a strong candidate to be the new home of the [[Montreal Expos]], who eventually became the [[Washington Nationals]]. It was reported that the guarantee of a new stadium built entirely with public funds swung the balance in [[Washington, D. C.|Washington]]'s favor. [[Major League Baseball]] will hold their 2008 winter meetings in Las Vegas. |
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High profile one-time and limited-duration sporting events have been successful. Las Vegas hosted the [[NBA]] [[2007 NBA All-Star Game|2007 All-Star Game]]. The [[NASCAR]] Sprint Cup series has drawn up to 165,000 fans. Las Vegas also hosts a significant number of professional fights. Many of these fights (such as those in [[MMA]]'s [[UFC]]) take place near downtown or on the Strip in one of the major resort/hotel/casino event centers. [[Mandalay Bay]] is frequently a top contender as a venue for the [[UFC]]. The [[National Finals Rodeo]] has drawn thousands of fans to the city since 1985, and a contract extension was signed in 2005 keeping the event in Las Vegas through 2014. The [[NBA Summer League]] is currently held in the city, and the USA Olympic basketball team trained in the city in 2008. |
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The [[University of Nevada, Las Vegas]] competes in [[NCAA]] [[Division I]] in men's and women's sports. UNLV is a member of the [[Mountain West Conference]]. The [[College of Southern Nevada]] also has an athletic program, with significant success in baseball at the community college level. |
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==Demographics== |
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{{USCensusPop |
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|1920=2304 |
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|1930=5165 |
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|1940=8422 |
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|1950=24624 |
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|1960=64405 |
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|1970=125787 |
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|1980=164674 |
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|1990=258295 |
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|2000=478434 |
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|estimate=552539 |
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|estyear=2006 |
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|estref=<ref name="popest">"[http://www.census.gov/popest/estimates.php July 1, 2006 Population Estimates]." ''[[United States Census Bureau]].'' [[July 1]], [[2006]]. Retrieved on [[March 17]], [[2007]].</ref> |
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|footnote=Source: City of Las Vegas<ref name="profile">"[http://www.lasvegasnevada.gov/files/community_profile.pdf Las Vegas Community Profile]." ''Office of Business Development.'' 2006. Retrieved on [[March 17]], [[2007]].</ref> |
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}} |
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Las Vegas has been the [[county seat]] of [[Clark County, Nevada|Clark County]] since the formation of the county in 1909. The Census Bureau's official population estimate, as of 2006, was 552,539, though the city’s own Planning and Development Department reported a population of 591,536<ref name=metropop>[http://www.lasvegasnevada.gov/FactsStatistics/demographics.htm City of Las Vegas Planning and Development Department 2006 Estimate]</ref> as of July, 2006. |
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The [[United States Census Bureau]] 2006 estimates place the population for the Las Vegas [[Metropolitan Statistical Area]] at 1,777,539 people, and the region is one of the fastest growing in the United States.{{Fact|date=July 2007}} Las Vegas proper was ranked as the 32nd most populous city in the United States in 2000, and 2006 estimates have placed the city 28th in rank.<ref>[http://www.census.gov/popest/cities/SUB-EST2006.html Population Estimates for Places over 100,000: 2000 to 2006<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> |
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As of the [[census]]{{GR|2}} of 2000, there were 478,434 people, 176,750 households, and 117,538 families residing in the city. The [[population density]] was 4,222.5 people per square mile (1,630.3/km<sup>2</sup>). There are 190,724 housing units at an average density of 1,683.3/sq mi (649.9/km<sup>2</sup>). The racial makeup of the city was 69.86% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 10.36% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 0.75% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 4.78% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.45% [[Pacific Islander (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]], 9.75% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 4.05% from two or more races. Hispanics are 23.61% of the population. Non-Hispanics whites are 58.04%. The top 5 largest ancestries include: [[German American|German]] (12.2%), [[Irish American|Irish]] (9.8%), [[English American|English]] (8.4%), [[Italian American|Italian]] (6.7%), and [[United States|American]] (4.5%).<ref>[http://www.city-data.com/city/Las-Vegas-Nevada.html Las Vegas, Nevada (NV) Detailed Profile - relocation, real estate, travel, jobs, hospitals, schools, crime, news, sex offenders<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> |
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There were 176,750 households out of which 31.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.3% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 12.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.5% were non-families. 25.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.66 and the average family size was 3.20. |
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In the city the population was spread out with 25.9% under the age of 18, 8.8% from 18 to 24, 32.0% from 25 to 44, 21.7% from 45 to 64, and 11.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 103.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 102.5 males. |
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The [[Median household income|median income]] for a household in the city was $53,000 and the median income for a family was $58,465.<ref>[http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/STTable?_bm=y&-geo_id=16000US3240000&-qr_name=ACS_2006_EST_G00_S1901&-ds_name=ACS_2006_EST_G00_ factfinder.census.gov]</ref> Males had a median income of $35,511 versus $27,554 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the city was $22,060. About 6.6% of families and 8.9% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 5.4% of those under age 18 and 6.3% of those age 65 or over. |
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In recent years, Las Vegas has been a popular destination for Hawaiians. In 2002, almost 80,000 former residents of Hawaii lived in Las Vegas, and nearly 3,000 Hawaiians visited Las Vegas every week.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.accessmylibrary.com/coms2/summary_0286-25499224_ITM |title= Ninth Island: a new local marketing group wants to help Hawaii products get to market in the "Ninth Island" of Las Vegas.(Brief Article) |accessdate=2008-05-24 |publisher= |date=2002-06-01 |first= Kelli Abe |last= Trifonovitch |work= [[Hawaii Business]]}}</ref> Las Vegas is sometimes referred to as [[Hawaii]]'s Ninth Island.<ref name=na1>{{cite web |url= http://www.doubletongued.org/index.php/dictionary/ninth_island/ |title= Gambling, growth help make Vegas the 'ninth island' of Hawaii |accessdate=2008-05-24 |publisher= |date=2004-11-26 |first=KEN |last= RITTER|work= [[Nevada Appeal]]}}</ref> The city is the home to the first [[ABC Stores]] branch outside the state of Hawaii.<ref name=na1/> |
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In December, 2007, Clark County officially declared the population now exceeds 2 million residents. Current estimates place growth at 3 million people by 2019, and 4 million people by 2025.<ref>Las Vegas Review Journal 12/09/07</ref> |
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Las Vegas has one of the highest suicide and divorce rates of the U.S.<ref>[http://www.citymayors.com/features/us_stresscities.html City Mayors: Most Stressful US City]</ref><ref>[http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?sec=health&res=940CE5DB153FF935A25751C1A961958260 New York Times Health: Suicide Rate Higher in 3 Gambling Cities, Study Says]</ref> The city's high divorce rate is partly due to the fact that divorce is easier in Nevada than most other states. The city was also ranked by [[Forbes]] as having the highest [[Income disparity]] in the nation. |
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==Government== |
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[[Image:Lasvegascityhall.jpg|right|thumb|[[Las Vegas City Hall]] in downtown Las Vegas.]] |
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The City of Las Vegas government operates as a [[council-manager government]]. The Mayor sits as a Council member-at-large and presides over all of the [[City council|City Council]] meetings. In the event that the Mayor cannot preside over a City Council meeting, the Mayor Pro-Tem is the [[Presiding Officer|presiding officer]] of the meeting until such time as the Mayor returns to his seat. The City Manager is responsible for the administration and the day-to-day operation of all of the [[municipal services]] and city departments. The City Manager also maintains intergovernmental relationships with federal, state, county and other [[local government]]s. |
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A large number of the people who live in what they call "Las Vegas" actually reside in neighboring incorporated cities or unincorporated communities. In fact, of the approximately 1.8 million people who live in the [[Las Vegas metropolitan area|Las Vegas Valley]], approximately 600,000 actually live inside Las Vegas city limits. Approximately 700,000 people live in unincorporated areas governed by [[Clark County, Nevada|Clark County]], and another 465,000 live in incorporated cities such as [[North Las Vegas, Nevada|North Las Vegas]], [[Henderson, Nevada|Henderson]] and [[Boulder City, Nevada|Boulder City]]. Las Vegas and most of the surrounding metropolitan area share a [[Police|police department]]. The [[Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department]] provides most law enforcement services in the city and surrounding county after a 1975 merger of the [[Las Vegas Police Department]] and the [[Clark County Sheriff's Department]]. Incorporated cities in Clark County, as well as colleges, parks and schools have their own police departments that fall outside of Metro's jurisdiction. The [[Las Vegas Marshals Department]] and the [[Las Vegas Municipal Marshals Department]] also provide law enforcement services. |
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A [[Paiute]] [[Indian reservation]] occupies about one acre (4000 m<sup>2</sup>) in the downtown area of Las Vegas. |
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===City council=== |
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([http://www.lasvegasnevada.gov/ Council members' official city websites] are also available) |
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* [[Oscar Goodman|Oscar B. Goodman]] – Mayor and Council member at Large (Term Expires in 2011) |
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* [[Gary Reese]] – Mayor Pro-Tem and 3rd Ward Council member (Term Expires in 2011) |
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* [[Lois Tarkanian]] – 1st Ward Council member (Term Expires in 2011) |
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* [[Steve Wolfson|Steve Wolfson, Esq]] – 2nd Ward Council member (Term Expires in 2009) |
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* [[Larry Brown (baseball)|Larry Brown]] – 4th Ward Council member (Term Expires in 2009) |
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* [[Ricki Y. Barlow|Ricki Barlow]] – 5th Ward Council member (Term Expires in 2011) |
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* [[Steven D. Ross|Steve Ross]] – 6th Ward Council member (Term Expires in 2009) |
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===City management=== |
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* Douglas Selby – [[City Manager]] |
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* Beverly K. Bridges – [[City clerk|City Clerk]] |
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=== Services === |
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* [[Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department]] |
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* [[Las Vegas Fire & Rescue]] |
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* [[Las Vegas Marshals Department]] |
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* [[Las Vegas Municipal Marshals Department]] |
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== Education == |
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Primary and secondary [[public education]] is provided by the [[Clark County School District]] (CCSD), which is the fifth most populous school district in the nation (projected enrollment for the 2007–2008 school year is 314,000 students in grades K–12). |
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The [[University of Nevada, Las Vegas]] (UNLV) is located in [[Paradise, Nevada|Paradise]], about three miles (5 km) south of the city limits and roughly two miles east of the Strip. The [[University of Nevada]] [[Medical school|Medical School]] has a campus near downtown Las Vegas. Several national colleges, including the [[University of Phoenix]], have campuses in the Las Vegas area. [[Nevada State College]] and [[Touro University Nevada]] are both located in nearby [[Henderson, Nevada|Henderson]]. The [[College of Southern Nevada]] has campuses in Las Vegas, [[North Las Vegas]] and Henderson. Henderson also is home to DeVry University and the Keller Graduate School of Management, as well as the [[University of Southern Nevada]]. Other private entities in the Las Vegas Valley include [[Apollo College]], [[National University]], [[ITT Technical Institute]] and [[Nova Southeastern University]]. |
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==Transportation== |
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[[Image:LasVegasMonorail.1.jpg|thumb|left|The [[Las Vegas Monorail]] pulling into the [[Las Vegas Convention Center]] Station]] |
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'''City Ride Bus Service''' is provided by the ''Transportation Services Division''. This limited service offers two routes in the downtown area with fare running from free to $0.50 depending on age and disabilities.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.lasvegasnevada.gov/TextOnly/information/5384.htm | title = City Ride Bus Service | accessdate= 2007-08-02}}</ref> |
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[[Citizens Area Transit|CAT Bus]] is a popular means of [[public transport]]ation among locals and tourists with various bus routes covering a large portion of the valley. The CAT system carries approximately 175,000 people per weekday, or about 10 percent of the valley's population.{{Fact|date=October 2007}} |
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The [[Las Vegas Monorail]] runs from the [[MGM Grand Las Vegas|MGM Grand Hotel]] at the south end of the Strip to the [[Sahara Hotel and Casino]] at the north end of the Strip. |
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[[Image:LVBlvdnorth of strip.jpg|thumb|Right|[[Las Vegas Boulevard]]]] |
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The street [[Numbering scheme|numbering system]] is divided by the following streets: |
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*Westcliff Drive, [[US 95|US 95 Expressway]], [[Fremont Street]] and [[Charleston Boulevard]] divide the north-south block numbers from west to east. |
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*[[Las Vegas Boulevard]] divides the east-west streets from the [[Las Vegas Strip]] to near the Stratosphere, then Main Street becomes the dividing line from the Stratosphere to the North Las Vegas border, after which the Goldfield Street alignment officially divides east and west. |
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*On the east side of Las Vegas, block numbers between [[Charleston Boulevard]] and Washington Avenue are different along Nellis Boulevard, which is the eastern border of the city limits. |
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[[Image:McCarran airport las vegas.jpg|thumb|left|[[McCarran International Airport]]]] |
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[[McCarran International Airport]] provides commercial flights into the Las Vegas valley. The airport also serves private aircraft, domestic and international passenger flights, and freight/cargo flights. [[General aviation]] traffic generally uses [[North Las Vegas Airport]], [[List of Airports in Clark County, Nevada|other airfields]] are available. |
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[[Bus|Intercity bus]] service to Las Vegas is provided by traditional intercity bus carriers, including [[Greyhound Lines|Greyhound]]; many charter services, including [[Green Tortoise]]; and several [[Chinatown bus lines]]. Amtrak California also operates Deluxe Express [[Thruway Motorcoach]] dedicated service between the City and its nearest passenger rail station in [[Barstow, California]]. |
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The [[Union Pacific Railroad]] is the only class one railroad to provide rail freight service to the city. |
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Until 1997, the [[Amtrak]] [[Desert Wind (passenger train)|Desert Wind]] train service ran through Las Vegas using the [[Union Pacific Railroad]] (UP) rails that run through the city; Amtrak service to Las Vegas has since been replaced by Amtrak's Thruway Motorcoach bus service. Plans to restore Los Angeles to Las Vegas Amtrak service using a [[Talgo]] train have been discussed but no plan for a replacement has been implemented. |
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Some groups have proposed the [[California-Nevada Interstate Maglev]] line from Las Vegas to [[Los Angeles]] in order to ease the incoming and outgoing [[traffic congestion]] on [[I-15]]. Another proposal, the [[Desert Xpress]], would involve the privately-financed construction of a train from [[Victorville, California]], to Las Vegas, using off-the-shelf high speed rail technology.{{Fact|date=October 2007}} |
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===Roads=== |
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Two major [[freeway]]s - [[Interstate 15 (Nevada)|Interstate 15]] and [[Interstate 515]]/[[U.S. Route 95 (Nevada)|U.S. Route 95]] - cross in downtown Las Vegas. I-15 connects Las Vegas to [[Los Angeles, CA|Los Angeles]] and [[San Diego, California]], and heads northeast to and beyond [[Salt Lake City, Utah]]. I-515 goes southeast to [[Henderson, NV|Henderson]], beyond which [[US 93 (NV)|US 93]] continues over the [[Hoover Dam]] towards [[Phoenix, Arizona]]. US 95 connects the city to northwestern Nevada, including [[Carson City, NV|Carson City]] and [[Reno, NV|Reno]]. US 93 splits from I-15 northeast of Las Vegas and goes north through the eastern part of the state, serving [[Ely, NV|Ely]] and [[Wells, NV|Wells]], and US 95 heads south from US 93 near Henderson through far eastern California. A three-quarters [[beltway]] has been built, consisting of [[Interstate 215 (Nevada)|Interstate 215]] on the south and [[Clark County 215]] on the west and north. Other radial routes include [[SR 160 (NV)|Blue Diamond Road (SR 160)]] to [[Pahrump, Nevada|Pahrump]] and [[SR 147 (NV)|Lake Mead Boulevard (SR 147)]] to [[Lake Mead]]. |
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With the notable exceptions of [[Las Vegas Boulevard]], [[Nevada State Route 582|Boulder Highway (SR 582)]], and [[Nevada State Route 599|Rancho Drive (SR 599)]], the majority of surface streets outside downtown Las Vegas are laid out along [[Public Land Survey System]] [[section line]]s. Many are maintained by the [[Nevada Department of Transportation]] as [[state highway]]s. |
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;East-west roads, north to south<ref>Most [[arterial road]]s are shown, as indicated on the [[Nevada Department of Transportation]]'s [http://www.nevadadot.com/reports_pubs/Class_maps/pdfs/FCM_LasVegas.pdf 2004 Roadway Functional Classification map], accessed May 2008.</ref> |
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<div style="-moz-column-count:3;"> |
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*[[Ann Road]] |
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*[[Craig Road (Las Vegas)|Craig Road]] ([[SR 573 (NV)|SR 573]]) |
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*[[Cheyenne Avenue]] ([[SR 574 (NV)|SR 574]]) |
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*[[Smoke Ranch Road]] |
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*[[Lake Mead Boulevard]] ([[SR 147 (NV)|SR 147]])<!--FAU 576--> |
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*[[Washington Avenue (Las Vegas)|Washington Avenue]] ([[SR 578 (NV)|SR 578]]) |
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*[[Summerlin Parkway]] |
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*[[Bonanza Road]] ([[SR 579 (NV)|SR 579]]) |
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*[[Charleston Boulevard]] ([[SR 159 (NV)|SR 159]])<!--FAU 587--> |
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*[[Sahara Avenue]] ([[SR 589 (NV)|SR 589]]) |
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</div> |
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;North-south roads, west to east |
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<div style="-moz-column-count:3;"> |
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*[[Fort Apache Road]] |
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*[[Durango Drive]] |
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*[[Buffalo Drive]] |
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*[[Rainbow Boulevard (Las Vegas)|Rainbow Boulevard]] ([[SR 595 (NV)|SR 595]]) |
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*[[Jones Boulevard]] ([[SR 596 (NV)|SR 596]]) |
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*[[Decatur Boulevard]]<!--FAU 597--> |
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*[[Valley View Boulevard]] |
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*[[Maryland Parkway]]<!--FAU 606--> |
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*[[Eastern Avenue (Las Vegas)|Eastern Avenue]] ([[SR 607 (NV)|SR 607]]) |
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*[[Pecos Road]] |
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*[[Lamb Boulevard]] ([[SR 610 (NV)|SR 610]]) |
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*[[Nellis Boulevard]] ([[SR 612 (NV)|SR 612]]) |
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</div> |
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==Sister cities== |
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''Las Vegas'' has several [[town twinning|Sister Cities]]:<ref name="sisters">"[http://www.sister-cities.org/icrc/directory/usa/NV Online Directory: Nevada, USA]." ''[http://www.sister-cities.org/ Sister Cities International, Inc.]'' Retrieved on [[March 17]], [[2007]].</ref> |
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* {{flagicon|South Korea}} [[Ansan|An San]], [[South Korea]] |
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* {{flagicon|China}} [[Huludao]], [[People's Republic of China|China]] |
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* {{flagicon|Bulgaria}} [[Pernik]], [[Bulgaria]] |
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* {{flagicon|Thailand}} [[Phuket]], [[Thailand]] |
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* {{flagicon|Philippines}} [[Angeles City]], [[Philippines]] |
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* {{flagicon|Turkey}} [[Pamukkale]], [[Turkey]] |
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* {{flagicon|Philippines}} [[Tagaytay City]], [[Philippines]] |
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* {{flagicon|Germany}} [[Iserlohn]], [[Germany]] |
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==See also== |
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*[[Atomic Testing Museum]] |
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*[[Las Vegas weddings]] |
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*[[List of Las Vegans]] |
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*[[List of Las Vegas casinos that never opened]] |
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*[[List of films set in Las Vegas]] |
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*[[List of films shot in Las Vegas]] |
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*[[List of mayors of Las Vegas, Nevada]] |
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*[[List of radio stations in Las Vegas]] |
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*[[List of television shows set in Las Vegas]] |
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*[[Las Vegas Strip]] |
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*[[Template:Las Vegas TV|Television stations in Las Vegas]] |
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==References== |
==References== |
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<references /> |
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{{reflist|2}} |
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==External links== |
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{{sisterlinks|Las Vegas}} |
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* [http://www.lasvegasnevada.gov/ City of Las Vegas, Nevada web site] |
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* [http://www.VisitLasVegas.com/ Official Tourism Site for Las Vegas and all of Clark County] |
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* [http://www.1st100.com/ The First 100 Persons who Shaped Las Vegas] |
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*[http://www.lasvegas-nevada.com.ar Tourist information about Las Vegas] |
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* [http://www.geotimes.org/nov05/Travels1105.html Geologic tour guide of the Las Vegas area] from [[American Geological Institute]] |
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* {{wikitravelpar|Las Vegas}} |
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* [http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/forecast/MapClick.php?site=vef&smap=1&textField1=36.175&textField2=-115.13639 National Weather Service Forecast - Las Vegas, NV] |
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{{coord|36.176|-115.137|display=title}} |
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{{Pennsylvania-geo-stub}} |
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{{Clark County, Nevada}} |
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{{Nevada}} |
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{{USLargestCities}} |
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{{coord missing|United States}} |
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[[Category:Settlements established in 1905]] |
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[[Category:Cities in the Mojave Desert]] |
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[[Category:Cities in Nevada]] |
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[[Category:Clark County, Nevada]] |
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[[Category:Las Vegas, Nevada| ]] |
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[[Category:County seats in Nevada]] |
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[[Category:Luzerne County, Pennsylvania]] |
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[[ko:라스베이거스]] |
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Revision as of 12:17, 10 October 2008
Penobscot Knob, located near Mountaintop, Pennsylvania and Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, is best known as the site of many local television and radio station transmitters.
Analog Broadcast Tower Collapse
WNEP-TV's transmission tower broadcasting the analog signal on channel 16 collapsed on December 16, 2007[1] due to severe ice, winds, and snow at the transmitter location on Penobscot Knob. The tower collapse also destroyed the transmitter building. No one was injured during the incident. Transmission of the digital signal on channel 49 was restored after a brief interruption of power to the tower supporting the digital transmitter and antenna. WNEP's signal on local cable systems and satellite was restored before the end of the day. The ice and winds on December 16, 2007 also brought down or damaged the towers broadcasting WYOU-TV, WBRE-TV (digital), WVIA-TV (analog and digital), and WCLH which are located within close proximity on Penobscot Knob.
References
 | This Pennsylvania state location article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |