Las Vegas

Las Vegas
Etymology: from Spanish las vegas 'the meadows'
Nicknames: 
"Vegas", "Sin City", "City of Lights", "The Gambling Capital of the World", "The Entertainment Capital of the World', "Capital of Second Chances", "The Marriage Capital of the World", "The Silver City", "America's Playground", "Hawaii's Ninth Island"
Las Vegas
Las Vegas
Coordinates: 36°10′2″N 115°8′55″W / 36.16722°N 115.14861°W / 36.16722; -115.14861
Country United States
State Nevada
CountyClark
FoundedMay 15, 1905
IncorporatedMarch 16, 1911
Government
  TypeCouncil–manager
  MayorShelley Berkley (D)
  Mayor Pro TemBrian Knudsen (D)
  City council
Members
  City managerJorge Cervantes
Area
  City
141.91 sq mi (367.53 km2)
  Land141.85 sq mi (367.40 km2)
  Water0.05 sq mi (0.14 km2)
  Urban
540 sq mi (1,400 km2)
  Metro
1,580 sq mi (4,100 km2)
Elevation
2,001 ft (610 m)
Population
 (2020)
  City
641,903
  Rank75th in North America
24th in the United States
1st in Nevada
  Density4,525.16/sq mi (1,747.17/km2)
  Urban
2,196,623 (US: 21st)
  Urban density5,046.3/sq mi (1,948.4/km2)
  Metro
2,265,461 (US: 29th)
DemonymLas Vegan
GDP
  Metro$160.728 billion (2022)
Time zoneUTC−08:00 (PST)
  Summer (DST)UTC−07:00 (PDT)
ZIP Codes
89044, 89054, 891xx
Area code(s)702 and 725
FIPS code32-40000
GNIS feature ID847388
Websitelasvegasnevada.gov

Las Vegas, colloquially referred to as Vegas, is the most populous city in the U.S. state of Nevada. It had 641,903 residents at the 2020 census, making it the 24th-most populous city in the United States. The Las Vegas metropolitan area has an estimated 2.4 million residents and is the 29th-largest metropolitan area in the nation. It is the county seat of Clark County. Las Vegas is an internationally renowned major resort city, known primarily for its gambling, shopping, fine dining, entertainment, and nightlife. Most of these venues are located in downtown Las Vegas or on the Las Vegas Strip, which is outside city limits in the unincorporated towns of Paradise and Winchester. The Las Vegas Valley serves as the leading financial, commercial, and cultural center in Nevada.

Las Vegas was settled in 1905 and officially incorporated in 1911. At the close of the 20th century, it was the most populated North American city founded within that century. Population growth has accelerated since the 1960s and into the 21st century, and between 1990 and 2000 the population increased by 85.2%.

The city bills itself as the Entertainment Capital of the World, and is famous for its luxurious and large casino-hotels. As of 2023, Las Vegas attracts over 40.8 million visitors annually, making it one of the most visited cities in the United States and consistently ranking among the world's top tourist destinations. It is the third most popular U.S. destination for business conventions and a global leader in the hospitality industry. The city's tolerance for numerous forms of adult entertainment has earned it the nickname "Sin City", and has made it a popular setting for films, literature, television programs, commercials and music videos.