"What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas." You may have heard this popular saying before. Visiting this populous city means promising the universe that you'll do something crazy that you'll remember for the rest of your life.
Also known as Sin City or the City of Sin, Las Vegas is not like any other city in the world. Its vibrant nightlife and endless entertainment options draw millions of visitors each year. This is how much Vegas has left an imprint on the minds of those who visit.
So, if you are a Vegas lover planning a city trip, here are some funny facts about Las Vegas that you may not have known before. Whether you're there for a wild weekend with friends or a romantic getaway, Las Vegas will surely leave you with unforgettable memories.
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19 Fun Facts About Las Vegas!
Here are 19 amazing facts about Las Vegas which you may not know!
1. A Small Railroad Town
Source: UNLV
The UNLV in their Southern Nevada: The Boomtown Years mentions that Las Vegas was a modest railroad stop. The city's foundation was laid when the railway connected Los Angeles and Salt Lake City. This strategic location attracted settlers and businesses, giving birth to a small town that would eventually evolve into the iconic Las Vegas we know today.
2. The Largest Bronze Sculpture in the Country
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The bronze lion statue outside the MGM Grand Hotel, weighing 50 tonnes, is the largest bronze sculpture in the country. The statue is 45 feet tall, stands on a 25-foot pedestal, and was designed by Snellen Johnson. The lion statue has become a popular photo spot for tourists visiting the famous hotel.
3. Wedding Capital of the World
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Las Vegas has topped the charts for becoming the top wedding destination in the world, with over 300 weddings occurring in Las Vegas daily. Additionally, the Clark County Marriage Bureau, which is in charge of issuing marriage licenses in Las Vegas, is open until midnight.
4. The Largest Glass Pyramid In The World
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The Luxor's Black Pyramid, a 30-storey structure standing at 357 feet tall, is the largest glass pyramid in the world. The pyramid's light beam is regarded as the strongest in the world, visible even to pilots flying hours away in southern California.
5. Brightest Place on Earth
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Back in November 2010, NASA published an image taken by astronauts on the International Space Station (ISS) of Las Vegas, quoting how the city's bright lights can be seen from space. It even surpassed countries like Hong Kong & Japan and earned the reputation of being the brightest spot on Earth.
6. The Meadows
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The term Vegas is a Spanish word meaning "meadows." It was named Las Vegas because of the abundance of wild grasses and the desert spring waters required by westward travellers. This perfectly describes the lush greenery that once surrounded the area.
7. Shrimp Consumption = 60,000 Pounds Per Day
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Approximately 40.8 million people visit Las Vegas annually. Due to this, shrimp consumption in Las Vegas is high, up to 60,000 pounds per day. According to Rick Moonen, the chef at RM Seafood in Las Vegas is one of the top shrimp-consuming cities in the United States. The consumption is so high that even if all the cities in the US were combined, it would still rank among the top for shrimp consumption.
8. World’s 2nd Largest Hotel in Las Vegas
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The MGM Grand Hotel & Casino, which is considered one of the most iconic hotels in Las Vegas, is the largest in the entire country by rooms. The hotel boasts over 6,800 rooms and is the 2nd largest hotel in the world, surpassing the First World Hotel in Malaysia.
9. No Space For Number 4
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In many Asian countries, like China and Japan, the number 4 is not regarded as a lucky number since it sounds similar to the word for death in their languages. This is why you may notice that many hotels and buildings in Las Vegas skip the number 4 when numbering floors or rooms to cater to these cultural beliefs.
10. "Ninth Island" of Hawaii
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You may have heard people calling Las Vegas the "ninth island" of Hawaii. Since the Hawaiian archipelago is made up of eight main islands, the nickname highlights the strong connection between Hawaii and Las Vegas. According to the census of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA), around 320,000, or 53%, of the total Native Hawaiian population now resides in the mainland United States.
11. Most visited City in the U.S
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With over 30 million visitors annually, Las Vegas is the sixth-most visited state in the U.S. after New York City, Miami, Los Angeles, Orlando, and San Francisco. The city has been nicknamed the Entertainment Capital of the World and is famous for the Sphere, a music and entertainment arena in Paradise, Nevada, United States. It primarily hosts award shows and concerts, in addition to other entertainment events.
12. Ideal For Business Conventions
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Las Vegas is one of the best destinations in the United States to hold business conventions and conferences due to its world-class facilities and convenient location. The city has established itself as the global leader in the hospitality industry, with more AAA Five Diamond hotels than any other city in the world.
13. The Vegas Strip is not in Las Vegas
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The Las Vegas Strip is the eye-catching central artery of Sin City, lined with iconic hotels and entertainment venues. However, this strip is not located within the city limits of Las Vegas but in the unincorporated 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
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Las Vegas was founded by a young Mexican scout named Rafael Rivera in 1829. He is credited as the first non-Native American to encounter the valley, and this discovery made the valley a crucial stop on the Old Spanish Trail, which connected New Mexico and California.
15. No Rain, No Pain
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Mostly, Las Vegas has an arid climate. The city receives only 4.2 inches of rainfall annually. It is among the sunniest, driest, and least humid locations in North America, with exceptionally low dew points and humidity that sometimes remains below 10%.
16. Las Vegas’s Tallest Freestanding Tower
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A post shared by The building from Las Vegas (@stratosphere_tower_las_vegas)
Standing at 1,149 feet, the tower is the tallest structure in Las Vegas and the 5th tallest in the whole of the United States. It is one of the tallest freestanding observation towers and offers panoramic views of the Las Vegas Strip and surrounding desert landscape.
17. Largest Mechanical Sign in The World
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The neon cowboy sign outside the Pioneer Club in Las Vegas, when put up straight in the early 1950s, was the largest mechanical sign in the world. It featured a cowboy named Vegas Vic who greeted visitors with a "Howdy Partner" message, becoming an iconic symbol of the city's Wild West image.
18. Best For Antique Collectors
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A post shared by Las Vegas Antique Center (@lasvegasantiquecenter)
If you love collecting antique items, Las Vegas is your ultimate destination. With a plethora of antique shops and markets, you are sure to find unique pieces to add to your collection. The main street is the antique district of Las Vegas, where you can explore a wide variety of shops offering everything from vintage furniture to rare collectables.
19. An Abandoned City Beneath Lake Mead
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A post shared by Lake Mead National Recreation Area (@lakemeadnps)
The ghost town of St. Thomas was once a place where residents lived and thrived. However, in 1930, the United States Federal Government submerged it under water. It was converted into the world's largest man-made reservoir, known as Lake Mead. The lake is 60 feet deep and covers over 248 square miles.
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