19 Facts About Las Vegas That You Didn’t Know!


3. The Wedding Capital of the World

Las Vegas has become a top wedding destination in the world, with more than 300 weddings taking place every day. In addition, the Clark County Marriage Bureau, which issues marriage licenses in Las Vegas, is open until midnight.

4. The world’s largest glass pyramid

The Black Pyramid in Luxor is the largest glass pyramid in the world at 357 feet tall and has 30 floors. The light beam from this pyramid is considered to be the strongest in the world and can even be seen by pilots flying in Southern California hours after the flight.

5. The Brightest Place on Earth

As early as November 2010, NASA released a photo of Las Vegas taken by astronauts from the International Space Station. In the photo, you can see the bright lights of Las Vegas, which even surpassed countries such as Hong Kong and Japan, earning it the reputation of the brightest place on Earth.

6. Grassland

The word “Vegas” comes from the Spanish word for “meadow”. Because of the lush wild grass and abundant desert springs, it was a must-see for travelers heading west, hence the name Las Vegas. This perfectly describes the once lush greenery in the area.

7. Shrimp consumption = 60,000 pounds per day

With about 40.8 million visitors per year, Las Vegas has a high shrimp consumption rate, up to 60,000 pounds per day. According to RM Seafood’s head chef Rick Moonen, Las Vegas is one of the cities with the highest shrimp consumption in the U.S. Even if all cities in the U.S. are combined, Las Vegas ranks first in shrimp consumption.

8. The second largest hotel in the world, Las Vegas

The MGM Grand Hotel & Casino is one of the most iconic hotels in Las Vegas and the largest hotel in terms of number of rooms in the U.S. With over 6,800 rooms, the hotel is the second largest in the world, surpassing the First World Hotel in Malaysia.

9. No room for the number 4

In many Asian countries, such as China and Japan, the number 4 is not considered a lucky number because in their language, it sounds similar to the word for “death.” This is why you may notice that many hotels and buildings in Las Vegas omit the number 4 when numbering floors or rooms to cater to these cultural beliefs.

10. Hawaii’s Ninth Island

You may have heard people refer to Las Vegas as Hawaii’s “Ninth Island.” Since the Hawaiian Archipelago is made up of eight main islands, the nickname highlights the close connection between Hawaii and Las Vegas. According to the Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA) census, approximately 320,000 people, or 53% of the total Native Hawaiian population, currently live in the continental United States.

11. The most visited cities in the United States

With more than 30 million visitors per year, Las Vegas is the sixth most visited state in the United States, after New York City, Miami, Los Angeles, Orlando, and San Francisco. Nicknamed the Entertainment Capital of the World, the city is famous for the Sphere, a music and entertainment venue located in Paradise, Nevada, USA. It mainly hosts award ceremonies and concerts, among other entertainment events.

12. Suitable for business meetings

With world-class facilities and a convenient location, Las Vegas is one of the top destinations for business meetings in the U.S. The city has become a global leader in the hospitality industry, with more AAA Five Diamond hotels than any other city in the world.

13. The Las Vegas Strip is not in Las Vegas

Las Vegas Strip is a striking central thoroughfare in Sin City, lined with iconic hotels and entertainment venues. However, the strip is not located in downtown Las Vegas, but in the towns of Paradise and Winchester. It is approximately 4.2 miles long and is home to some of the most famous landmarks in the world.

14. Founded in 1905

Las Vegas was founded in 1829 by a young Mexican scout named Rafael Rivera. He is considered the first non-Native American to discover the valley, and his discovery made it an important stop on the old Spanish Trail connecting New Mexico and California.

15. No rain, no pain

Las Vegas has a mostly dry climate. The city receives only 4.2 inches of rain per year. It is one of the sunniest, driest, and wettest areas in North America, with extremely low dew points and humidity levels sometimes below 10%.

16. Tallest freestanding tower in Las Vegas

At 1,149 feet tall, the tower is the tallest building in Las Vegas and the fifth tallest building in the U.S. It is one of the tallest freestanding observation towers, offering panoramic views of the Las Vegas Strip and the surrounding desert landscape.

17. The world’s largest mechanical logo

The neon cowboy sign outside the Pioneer Club in Las Vegas was the largest mechanical sign in the world when it was erected in the early 1950s. Featuring a cowboy named Vegas Vic greeting visitors with the words “Hello, Buddy,” the sign became an iconic symbol of the city’s Wild West image.

18. Best for antique collectors

If you love collecting antiques, Las Vegas is the ultimate destination. With so many antique shops and markets, you’re sure to find unique items to add to your collection. Main Street is the antique district of Las Vegas, where you can explore a wide variety of shops selling everything from antique furniture to rare collectibles.

19. An Abandoned City Beneath Lake Mead

Lake Mead

The ghost town of St. Thomas was once a place where residents lived and thrived. However, in 1930, the United States federal government flooded it. It was transformed into the world’s largest artificial reservoir, Lake Mead. The lake is 60 feet deep and covers more than 248 square miles.

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