Las Vegas Valley facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Las Vegas Valley
Metropolitan Statistical Area
Left-right from top: Las Vegas Strip, Stratosphere Tower, Fremont Street Experience, Waldorf Astoria Las Vegas, Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, The District at Green Valley Ranch
Country	United States
State	Nevada
Largest city	Las Vegas
Other major cities	- Henderson  - North Las Vegas  - Enterprise  - Spring Valley  - Sunrise Manor  - Paradise  - Whitney  - Winchester  - Boulder City
Population  (2018 estimate)
• Total	2,227,053
GDP
• MSA	$160.7 billion (2022)
Time zone	UTC-8 (PST)
• Summer (DST)	UTC-7 (PDT)
Area code(s)	702 and 725

The Las Vegas Valley is a large urban area in the southern part of Nevada, a state in the United States. It's the second biggest metropolitan area in the Southwestern U.S. This area is mostly within Clark County, Nevada.

The Valley is a huge basin, about 600 square miles (1,550 km²) wide. Mountains surround it on all sides. It's home to Nevada's three largest cities: Las Vegas, Henderson, and North Las Vegas. Many smaller towns also make up this big community.

People often use "Las Vegas" or "Vegas" to talk about the whole Valley, the famous Las Vegas Strip, or just the city itself. The area is sometimes called the "Ninth Island" because many people from Hawaii live here or visit often.

Since the 1990s, the Las Vegas Valley has grown very quickly. Its population more than tripled from 741,459 in 1990 to an estimated 2,227,053 in 2018. It's one of the fastest-growing areas in the U.S. Las Vegas is known worldwide for business, development, and entertainment. In 2014, over 41 million people visited the area.

History of the Las Vegas Valley

The first non-Native American person to visit the Las Vegas Valley was a Mexican scout named Raphael Rivera in 1829. He was part of a group traveling along the Old Spanish Trail. They used the water in the area. The name Las Vegas means "the meadows" in Spanish. This is because the valley used to have green areas with natural springs.

Mormon farmers settled here in 1854. Later, in 1864, the United States Army built a fort. This started a long connection between southern Nevada and the U.S. military. Since the 1930s, Las Vegas has been known as a major center for entertainment and resorts, mostly for adults.

Nellis Air Force Base is located in the northeast part of the valley. The land used by the military and other federal groups helps limit how much the valley can grow.

In the late 1960s, businessman Howard Hughes bought many hotels and other businesses. Over time, large companies started buying casino hotels. This helped change the area. The money from tourists and the new military base helped Las Vegas grow very fast. Today, Las Vegas is still one of the world's top places for entertainment.

Where is the Las Vegas Valley?

The Las Vegas Valley is a specific land area. It includes the cities of Las Vegas, North Las Vegas, and Henderson. It also has towns like Summerlin South, Paradise, Spring Valley, Sunrise Manor, Enterprise, Winchester, and Whitney. The larger metropolitan area covers all of Clark County, which is bigger than just the valley.

Clark County has an "Urban Planning Area" for Las Vegas. This is a rectangular area, about 20 miles (32 km) from east to west and 30 miles (48 km) from north to south. Some areas like Red Rock and Mount Charleston are not part of this main urban area.

The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department is the biggest police force in the valley and the state. They patrol the city of Las Vegas, the unincorporated areas, and other parts of Clark County. Other cities like North Las Vegas and Henderson have their own police forces.

Geography and Climate of Las Vegas Valley

Valley Location and Features

Las Vegas Valley viewed in false color, from 438 miles (705 km) by TERRA satellite. Grass-covered land, such as golf courses, appears in red. The picture bottom is just south of Sunset Road and the airport, the Spring Mountains on the west and Sunrise Mountain on the east.

The Las Vegas Valley is in the Mojave Desert. It's a large basin surrounded by hills and mountains. Most highways entering the area go through these hills. Only U.S. Route 95 in the northwest follows a natural valley.

The valley is a basin formed by fault lines. It's made of sand and gravel deposits. There are also underground water sources called aquifers. Pumping too much water from these aquifers has caused the ground to sink in some areas, like Downtown Las Vegas.

Weather and Temperatures

Las Vegas at night in 2010

The Las Vegas Valley has a hot desert climate. It gets less than 5 inches (13 cm) of rain each year.

In summer (July and August), daytime temperatures are usually between 100°F (38°C) and 110°F (43°C). Nights are warm, from 72°F (22°C) to 80°F (27°C). The air is very dry, but it's important to stay hydrated. Be careful of dehydration and sun stroke if you're outside for long. Car interiors can get dangerously hot for children and pets. Sometimes in July and August, moist winds from the Gulf of California bring thunderstorms. These can cause sudden floods.

Winter days (December and January) are usually mild and sunny, from 52°F (11°C) to 60°F (16°C). Nights are cooler, from 34°F (1°C) to 42°F (6°C). The mountains around the valley get snow, but it rarely snows in the city itself.

Spring and fall are generally dry with warm, sunny days and cool nights.

Earthquake Zones

The valley is an active earthquake zone. It has several fault lines, like the Frenchman Mountain Fault.

Air Quality Challenges

Being in a desert basin can cause air quality problems. This includes dust from the wind, smog from vehicles, and pollen from plants.

Pollen can be a big issue for several weeks each year. Local governments are trying to control this by limiting plants that produce a lot of pollen.

Dust problems usually happen on windy days and are short-lived. Smog gets worse when there's no wind to clear the air.

Water Sources and Conservation

Lake Mead shown behind Hoover Dam on the Colorado River

The native plants don't help the soil hold water well. During heavy rains, water flows down from the mountains through dry channels called washes. These washes meet in the Las Vegas Wash, which flows into the Colorado River.

Nevada gets a certain amount of water each year from Lake Mead, which was created by the Hoover Dam. Las Vegas uses most of this water. The area gets about 90% of its water from Lake Mead.

In the past, Las Vegas relied on underground springs. But pumping too much water caused the water levels to drop. Today, these underground water sources are mainly used to store water from the lake.

Urban Growth and Development

The population of the Las Vegas area has grown very fast. This rapid growth has turned desert lands into cities and business areas.

Economy of Las Vegas Valley

The main reason for Las Vegas's economy is tourism. The area has about 150,000 hotel rooms, more than any other city in the world. In the past, casinos and celebrity shows were the biggest draws. Now, shopping, conventions, great food, and outdoor activities also bring in many tourists.

Las Vegas is home to the world headquarters of MGM Resorts International, a huge gaming company. Many companies that make electronic gaming machines are also here. The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority helps promote tourism in the area.

The Las Vegas Strip looking south at night

Exterior of the Palazzo hotel. A major part of the city economy is based on tourism including gambling and ultra-luxury hotels.

Las Vegas has always attracted people who like to gamble. But now, it faces more competition from other places around the world.

The city has seen a big increase in population and tourism. This fast growth means that new buildings are going up closer to the city center. Many older adults are also moving to the area, which helps businesses like housing and healthcare.

Nevada does not have business or income taxes, which makes it an attractive place for companies. Many call centers like Las Vegas because people are used to working at all hours.

Building and Construction

Construction on The Strip (2009)

The construction industry is a big part of Las Vegas's economy. Building new hotels and casinos can take years and employ thousands of workers. Developers have also found a demand for fancy apartments called condominiums.

The massive CityCenter project, built by MGM Mirage, started in 2006. It cost $8.5 billion and is one of the most expensive privately funded construction projects in U.S. history. It includes hotels, condominiums, shops, and a casino.

The Tropicana Hotel, which opened in 1957, will be taken down in April 2025 to make way for a new baseball stadium.

Types of Homes

Most homes in Las Vegas have traditionally been single-family houses. However, in the 1990s, the first tall condominium towers were built. By the mid-2000s, many high-rise condominium towers changed the city's skyline.

The Las Vegas Valley has many planned communities. These are neighborhoods with lots of fun things to do, like lakes, golf courses, parks, and trails. Some examples include Summerlin, Green Valley, and Lake Las Vegas.

Technology Companies in Las Vegas

A full-scale mockup of Bigelow Aerospace's Space Station Alpha inside their facility in North Las Vegas

Some technology companies have moved to Las Vegas or started there. The area has many tech companies in electronic gaming and telecommunications.

Some current tech companies in southern Nevada include Bigelow Aerospace, Petroglyph, and Switch Communications. In 2015, the electric car company Faraday Future chose North Las Vegas for its factory.

Tourism and Attractions

The Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas sign

The main attractions in the Las Vegas Valley are the hotel/casinos. These places usually have large gambling areas, theaters for live shows, shops, bars, and many restaurants. The biggest hotels are mostly on the Las Vegas Strip, which is a four-mile (6.4 km) section of Las Vegas Boulevard. Many of the world's largest hotels are found here.

There are also many hotels and casinos in downtown Las Vegas, which was the first center for gaming. Smaller casinos are located throughout the city.

In 2011, most tourists came from western states, especially California. About 16% of tourists came from outside North America.

Shopping Experiences

Chanel and Giorgio Armani boutiques at Via Bellagio

Las Vegas offers many shopping options, from affordable stores to high-end luxury brands. Many hotels on the Las Vegas Strip have shopping malls attached to them. This means there are many malls close together. There are also several malls in the cities of Las Vegas and Henderson. The Las Vegas Monorail helps people travel easily between casinos and the Las Vegas Convention Center.

Conventions and Events

CES 2014 Audi TT Display

Las Vegas hosts many of the world's largest conventions each year. These include the CES and SEMA. These events bring in billions of dollars and millions of visitors to the city every year. The Las Vegas Convention Center is one of the largest in the world.

Major Shopping Spots

Culture and Arts in Las Vegas

The Smith Center for the Performing Arts located in downtown Las Vegas

Reynolds Hall main stage at The Smith Center

The "First Friday" event, held every first Friday of the month, shows off the work of local artists and musicians. The city has a large Downtown Arts District with many galleries, film festivals, and events.

The Shark Reef Aquarium at Mandalay Bay is the only aquarium in Nevada that is approved by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. It has over 2,000 animals and 1,200 species.

The Smith Center for the Performing Arts is a $485 million building downtown. It hosts Broadway shows, orchestras, opera, jazz, and dance performances.

The Bellagio Gallery of Fine Art shows high-quality art from major museums around the world. The Las Vegas Natural History Museum has robot dinosaurs, live fish, and preserved animals. It also has "hands-on" areas.

The Atomic Testing Museum is connected to the Smithsonian Institution. It has items from the Nevada Test Site and tells the story of the atomic age.

Las Vegas also has many other art galleries, orchestras, ballets, theaters, sculptures, and museums.

Festivals and Celebrations

Gardens to Explore

The Bellagio Conservatory & Botanical Gardens

Libraries and Bookstores

The Lied Library

Museums to Visit

Parks and Fun Attractions

Wildflowers in Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area

Mount Charleston

Theaters for Shows

Wildlife Experiences

Communities in Las Vegas Valley

The Las Vegas Strip in 2004, as seen from the top of the Rio. The Strip is largely within Paradise.

Cities in the Valley

• Boulder City
• Henderson
• Las Vegas
• North Las Vegas

Las Vegas Neighborhoods

Census-Designated Places

The entrance to Summerlin, an affluent planned community

Other Communities

• Sloan

Media in Las Vegas Valley

Newspapers for Kids

• Las Vegas Review-Journal is the biggest daily newspaper in the area. It started in 1909 and is one of the top 25 newspapers in the U.S. by how many copies it sells.
• Las Vegas Sun is a daily newspaper that comes inside the Review-Journal. It started in 1950. In 2009, it won a special award for its reporting on construction worker safety.
• Las Vegas Weekly is a free newspaper that comes out once a week. It covers arts, entertainment, and news in Las Vegas.

TV and Radio Stations

Las Vegas has 22 TV stations and 46 radio stations.

• Radio stations in Las Vegas
• Television stations in Las Vegas

Magazines to Read

• Desert Companion
• Las Vegas Weekly
• Luxury Las Vegas

Transportation in Las Vegas Valley

The Las Vegas Monorail pulling into the Sahara station in Paradise

Harry Reid International Airport Terminal 3

A JetBlue Airbus A320 taking off from Harry Reid International Airport

Harry Reid International Airport (LAS) is the main airport for flights into Las Vegas. It handles flights from across the U.S. and other countries. Smaller airports like North Las Vegas Airport are used for private planes.

Public transportation is provided by RTC Transit with many bus routes covering Las Vegas and nearby areas.

The Las Vegas Monorail runs along the Las Vegas Strip. It connects hotels from MGM Grand Las Vegas to the Sahara Las Vegas.

Airports in the Area

• Henderson Executive Airport
• Ivanpah Valley Airport (planned for the future)
• Harry Reid International Airport
• North Las Vegas Airport

Trains and Buses

Las Vegas does not have regular passenger train service right now. However, Brightline West plans to build a high-speed train between Las Vegas and the Los Angeles area.

Local Transit Services

• RTC Transit
  • Las Vegas Monorail

Resort Trams

• Aria Express
• Mandalay Bay Tram
• The Mirage-Treasure Island Tram

Roads and Freeways

Las Vegas Boulevard looking south from the Stratosphere

Two major freeways, Interstate 15 and Interstate 11 (which includes US 93 and US 95), meet in downtown Las Vegas. I-15 connects Las Vegas to Los Angeles and Salt Lake City. I-11 goes northwest and southeast towards Henderson and Arizona.

The Las Vegas Beltway is a highway that goes around the city. Most streets outside downtown Las Vegas are laid out in a grid pattern.

East-West Roads (North to South)

North-South Roads (West to East)

Major Freeways

Fuel and Electricity

The Las Vegas area gets most of its gasoline, diesel, and aviation fuel from other places through pipelines. About 70% of the electricity in Southern Nevada comes from power stations that use natural gas. About 25% of the power from Hoover Dam goes to Nevada.

Sports in Las Vegas Valley

Allegiant Stadium

T-Mobile Arena as seen from Toshiba Plaza

The Wynn Golf Club

Las Vegas is home to several professional sports teams and college teams. The Las Vegas Raiders play football in the National Football League. The Vegas Golden Knights play ice hockey in the National Hockey League. The Las Vegas Aces play basketball in the Women's National Basketball Association. The Oakland Athletics baseball team plans to move to Las Vegas in 2028.

Recreation and Outdoor Fun

Las Vegas offers many outdoor activities in nature.

There are several trail systems for walking, running, and biking. The River Mountains Loop Trail is a 35-mile (56 km) trail that connects the west side of the valley with Hoover Dam and Lake Mead. Summerlin has over 150 miles (240 km) of trails.

Sunset Park at dusk

The Las Vegas Valley also has great mountain biking, including Bootleg Canyon Mountain Bike Park in Boulder City.

Education in Las Vegas Valley

Schools for Kids

The Clark County School District runs all the public elementary, middle, and high schools in the county. There are also 37 public charter schools.

Selected Private Schools

Alexander Dawson School

Bishop Gorman High School

Faith Lutheran Jr/Sr High School

The Meadows School

Colleges and Universities

The University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) is located in Paradise. Several other colleges, like the University of Phoenix and Le Cordon Bleu, have campuses in the area. Nevada State College, National University, and Touro University Nevada are in nearby Henderson. The College of Southern Nevada has campuses in Las Vegas, North Las Vegas, and Henderson.

Venues in Las Vegas

• Music venues in Las Vegas
• Sports venues in Las Vegas
• City of Rock (Las Vegas)

Images for kids

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  Las Vegas Boulevard facing south and Planet Hollywood Las Vegas

• 

  Fremont East

• 

  The Bellagio (left) and Caesar's Palace (right)

• 

  MacDonald Highlands, one of many affluent neighborhoods in the valley

• 

  CityCenter complex

• 

  Wynn Las Vegas

• 

  The Fashion Show Mall

• 

  Fountains of Bellagio

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  Crystals at CityCenter

• 

  High Roller

• 

  The Forum Shops at Caesars

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  Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area

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  Las Vegas Arts District

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  Seven Magic Mountains

See also

In Spanish: Área metropolitana de Las Vegas para niños