In the early 1700's Spanish traders travelling to Los Angeles via the Spanish Trail, began searching for a faster and more efficient route. The Spaniard traders often referred to the path they used through the Vegas valley as the "jornada de muerte" journey of death.
The group sent out a scout by the name of Rafael Rivera who was the first European to discover what we now know as Las Vegas. Looking down at the valley Rafael Rivera saw wild grasses and a plentiful supply of water which could reduce the journey by days. This valley then earned its Spanish name of "The Meadows" which translates to Las Vegas.
Located in Nevada, Las Vegas is an internationally renowned major resort city for entertainment, gambling and shopping. Known throughout the world as the “Entertainment Capital of the World”, Las Vegas hosts a wide variety of casino resorts and associated entertainment. Home to an estimated population of around 558,000, Las Vegas is the 28th most populous city in the United States.
The city has its own unique history and heritage. Established in 1905 Las Vegas was officially granted city status in 1911. The city started out as a stopover on the pioneer trails to the west, and eventually became a popular railroad town in the early 1900s. Local mining industries guaranteed the continued expansion of the city, but with the production of the railroads, the city was decreasingly relied upon as a staging point for local mines. However, tourism and the local economy were given a boost by the completion of the nearby Hoover Dam in 1935.
1931 is an important year in the history of Las Vegas, due to the legalisation of gambling. This led to the construction of the numerous casino-hotels, for which Las Vegas is famous for. The following decade saw a significant growth in the construction of casino-hotels in the area, building the foundations for the city's widespread gambling scene.
Downtown is where the majority of the city's major buildings are located and is the centre for casino gambling and gaming. Downtown Vegas is home to some of the biggest sporting events in the world today such as, Heavyweight Championship Boxing events and UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship) events every month. These events are held in the MGM Grand hotel, possibly the most famous and recognizable hotel in the world today.
The Las Vegas Strip came about in the 1940s with the construction of many casino hotels along the two-lane highway leading to Los Angeles. Some of the earliest built hotels were the Thunderbird, which still stands but is now known as the Arubu Hotel & Spa and the famous Flamingo Hotel built in 1946
Today 43% of the public fund is as a result of gambling tax revenue, which is put into public education. Gambling is the biggest revenue turnover in Las Vegas with 122 casinos 116,000 gaming machines providing an endless choice for those who like to flutter. High roller or cent roller, everyone is welcomed as the casinos cater for all.