Facts over Nevada
State: Nevada
Abbreviation: NV
Capital: Carson City
State Since: October 31, 1864
Area Codes: 702, 775
Bird: Mountain Bluebird
Flower: Sagebrush
Largest City: Las Vegas
Motto: All for our country
Nickname: The silver state
Population: 1,998,257
Song: Home means Nevada
Tree: Bristlecone pine
Time zone: -7 / -8
Adjacent States:
- California
- Oregon
- Arizona
Nevada Travel Information
Nevada is one of the states of the United States. The standard abbreviation for the “Silver State”, as it is nicknamed, is NV. The capital is Carson City. Are you going on a trip to Western America? Then read our tips and travel information about Nevada.
History
Before the Europeans colonized present-day Nevada, it was populated by Native American tribes. After the war of 1848, Mexico had to cede the territory to the United States. Utah Territory was created in 1850. Gold and silver were discovered in 1859, which drove many to this region. On March 2, 1861, Nevada seceded from Utah Territory and took its current name. Nevada became the 36th state of the United States on October 31, 1864. The Spanish word nevada means “covered with snow” or snowy (from the root (s)nev).
Geography and Climate
The state of Nevada covers 286,585 km², of which 284,628 km² is land. The state is located in the Pacific time zone. Nevada borders Oregon and Idaho to the north, California to the west and south, and Utah and Arizona to the east. The state has many mountainous areas, with the top of Boundary Peak (4005 m) as the highest point, and desert. Nevada is one of the states with the least rainfall. The eastern border is partially defined by the Colorado River, which flows through Lake Mead, where the large Hoover Dam is located.
Demography and economy
In 2000 Nevada had 1,998,257 inhabitants (7 per km²), of which about 88% of the population lives in an urban area. Major cities in Nevada are Las Vegas, capital Carson City and Reno. The gross product of the state in 2001 was $79 billion. On March 17, 1931, during the Great Depression, gambling was legalized in Nevada to stimulate the economy and continues to be an important source of income, especially in Las Vegas. Nevada is the only state in the US where prostitution is legal. Divorce is also relatively easy in Nevada. After spending six weeks in Nevada, residents of other states can also get divorced. Despite the snags associated with this arrangement, it is widely used. Large areas in the state are used by US defense.
Sights
The gambling city of Las Vegas should of course not be missing from tips and travel information about Nevada. In this entertainment city you can have fun in the casinos. Just steps from Las Vegas, you will find the Hoover Dam and Lake Mead. Would you like to admire these sights from the air? Then book a helicopter tour and discover the beauty of the state of Nevada.
Valley of Fire State Park
Northeast, about an hour’s drive from Las Vegas, is Valley of Fire State Park. The park has a desert climate and is characterized by the red colored rocks that sometimes seem to be on fire. The park is open all year round, but keep in mind that it can get very hot in summer. There are two campsites in the park where you can stay overnight.
LAS VEGAS
Nevada
Facts over Las Vegas
State: Nevada
City Since: 1911
Motto / Nickname: Only Vegas
Population: 552,539
Area: 340.0 km2
Time Zone: -7
Top Spots:
- the strip
- Flamingo casino
- Caesars Palace
Excursions:
- Grand Canyon
- Hoover Dam
- Valley of Fire
Las Vegas Travel Information
The city of Las Vegas is located in the state of Nevada. Although Las Vegas is mainly known for its many casinos, there is something for everyone. Las Vegas is also called the ‘Entertainment Capital of the World’ for a reason. Whether you enjoy shopping, dining, entertainment, nightlife, museums, spas, golf or casino, Las Vegas offers you the opportunity to enjoy yourself in a variety of ways.
Numerous new hotels with adventure and amusement parks have made Las Vegas a city for the whole family. Most hotels and casinos are located next to each other in the center of Las Vegas along the so-called Las Vegas Strip. To get a good taste of the atmosphere, you can play roulette, black jack or bingo in one of the many casinos. You must be 21 years of age or older to gamble and drink alcohol.
Getting to Las Vegas is very easy with over 800 flights daily to and from the fastest growing airport, McCarran International Airport. By bus is also an option, which runs regularly and is also very affordable. Once you have arrived in Las Vegas, you can use the many fast and safe means of transport, such as taxis, limousines, rental cars, tour buses and public transport.
Climate
In January the average temperature is 7.5 °C, in July it is 34 °C. Annual average precipitation is 104 mm (data based on the measurement period 1961-1990). In the summer, Las Vegas is scorching heat. July is the hottest month of the year with an average maximum temperature of 41 degrees. In July 2005 there was a killer heat, with temperatures rising to about 47 degrees Celsius and night temperatures stuck at about 35 degrees Celsius.
Movies and series
Las Vegas has also long been a source of inspiration for movies. In addition to films such as Leaving Las Vegas, Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, Casino and of course Viva Las Vegas, there are now also the series CSI: Las Vegas and Las Vegas or Cameron vs. Ashton: What happens in Vegas. In many movies, Las Vegas is also an important element: for quick weddings, vacation trips or even settlements. The mafia has many links to Las Vegas, think Bugsy, Prizzi’s Honor and of course The Godfather. More recently (2001), Las Vegas was the setting for the film Ocean’s Eleven (2001), Ocean’s Twelve in 2004, and Ocean’s Thirteen in 2007.
New city center in Las Vegas
December 2009 saw the introduction of a new resort destination in Las Vegas: CityCenter. This downtown Las Vegas metropolis was created by eight world-renowned architects. Bringing together everything Las Vegas has to offer, CityCenter represents a new era of resort experiences and has the ambition to put Las Vegas on the map as a major urban destination.
The metropolis CityCenter of more than 270 thousand square meters stands between the Bellagio and Monte Carlo resorts on the Las Vegas Strip. CityCenter is a collaboration between MGM Mirage and Infinity World Developments Corps. Within the complex of CityCenter are the following complexes: Vdara Hotel & Spa, Crystals retail and entertainment district, Mandarin Oriental, ARIA Resort & Casino, Veer Towers and Harmon (opening late 2010).
CityCenter was created to provide a real center on ‘The Strip’. The center where people can come together, relax and enjoy. Fantastic pedestrian sidewalks, dynamic public spaces and replicas of yesteryear make it a diverse whole and evoke the atmosphere of the world’s most interesting places. The Fine Art Collection of famous pieces by Maya Lin and Nancz Rubins brings liveliness to the streets of the CityCenter district and entertains passers-by as if they were walking around in a gallery.
Environmentally conscious on the strip
CityCenter also tries to be aware of the environment. When the new resort destination opens, it will be one of the largest sustainable developments in Vegas. A number of buildings within CityCenter, including ARIA Resort & Casino and Vdara Hotel & Spa, have already received Gold LEED certification from the US Green Building Council for their use of sustainable raw materials in the construction and design of the hotels. Other buildings within the Citycenter complex also have a chance to receive this gold or silver certification.
CityCenter is the pompidou of Paris
CityCenter CEO and President Bobby Baldwin said, “CityCenter represents the combination of the vitality of Las Vegas and the experiences travelers seek when visiting major global cities. Think of spectacular architecture, cultural highlights, beautiful public spaces, sophisticated hotels, unique restaurants and many other experience factors. CityCenter is an evolutionary destination that aims to transform Las Vegas into a new symbol in the world comparable to the Guggenheim in Bilbao, Pompidou in Paris and the SONY center in Berlin.
Shopping at the CityCenter
Shopaholics don’t have to seek their pleasure outside the CityCenter complex. Daniel Libeskind, along with interior designer David Rockwell, did an outstanding job building the Crystals retail and entertainment district. Here people can enjoy exclusive offers from top brands around the world in a pleasant atmosphere.
The architecture of the building, and especially the glass structure, is a work of art in itself, no matter from which direction it is viewed. Inside, the 3-storey tree house is a central element of the interior. The treehouse is a gathering place for guests and can be seen from every corner of Crystals. In addition, works of art are constantly visible that are adapted according to the season.
All the world’s top brands are represented in Crystal’s retail and entertainment district such as Louis Vuitton, Hermes, Prada, Christian Dior and Bulgari. In addition, a number of new brands will be represented for the first time in Las Vegas such as Tom Ford, Miu Miu, Paul Smith and Porsche design.
Culinary highlights
The building also houses several top restaurants. BESO by Eva Longoria Parker will open its doors as well as Mastro’s Ocean Club and Wolfgang Puck with two new restaurant concepts, including a restaurant based on the French brasserie combined with the Mediterranean region. Other restaurant concepts will be announced shortly.
