| Las Vegas can be found in the western United States | | | | construct a railroad for steam locomotives. |
| and is located in the state of Nevada. Las Vegas, | | | | The town was officially founded in 1905 and |
| Spanish for 'The Meadows', was originally discovered | | | | incorporated in 1911 with a population of only 800. Initially |
| in 1829 by a party of explorers led by Antonio Armijo, | | | | strict anti-gambling laws governed the state of Nevada |
| a Mexican trader searching for a route to Los | | | | but this all changed in 1931 when gambling was |
| Angeles. Before the discovery of the valley the route, | | | | legalized throughout the state of Nevada. That same |
| Las Vegas was referred to as the 'journey of death'. | | | | year divorce laws were liberalized in Nevada, making |
| However, exploration for water revealed an | | | | Las Vegas the place to obtain a divorce after only six |
| abundance of springs in the valley that reduced the | | | | weeks of residency. |
| journey by several days. | | | | It was after World War II that Las Vegas began to |
| Las Vegas remained virtually unknown until 1844, when | | | | develop its reputation of 'Sin City'. Hotels and casinos |
| explorer John C. Fremont, made an entry in his travel | | | | were developed and entertainment and tourism |
| log detailing how his expedition camped at the springs. | | | | became the valley's largest employer. Accordingly, by |
| Nevertheless, it was another ten years before Las | | | | the 1960s wealthy businessmen were being attracted |
| Vegas became a permanent settlement for Mormon | | | | to the city. Billionaire Kirk Kerkorian was a major player |
| missionaries from Salt Lake City. They built a fort to | | | | in developing the modern city; he bought the Flamingo |
| create a mail stop between Los Angeles and Salt | | | | and in 1968 opened the biggest hotel in the world, the |
| Lake City, becoming the first non-Indian settlement to | | | | International Hotel. |
| do so. It was also the Mormons' intention to teach | | | | Now, a hundred years after its conception, Las Vegas |
| farming to the Paiute Indians. However, in 1857 this | | | | is one of the largest cities of the 20th Century with a |
| was abandoned when the Paiutes raided the fort and | | | | population exceeding two million. Wonderful resorts are |
| rejected their teachings. | | | | still being created, all bigger and more luxurious than |
| In 1902, U.S. Senator William Clark from Montana | | | | ever. Finally, Las Vegas remains the strongest |
| bought the rights to the Mormon settlement, along with | | | | contender for the world's major international tourist |
| water rights and 2,000 acres of land. It was his | | | | attraction. |
| intention to develop a town and he managed to | | | | |