拉斯维加斯(Las Vegas)是美国内华达州最大的城市，着名的旅游、购物、度假和赌博胜地。2003年人口普查局的官方数字为518 313人。自1909年起，拉斯维加斯就是克拉克郡的郡行政中心。
拉斯维加斯建于1854年是由当时在美国西部的摩门教徒建成的，后来摩门教徒迁走了，美国兵使其变成一个兵站。拉斯韦加斯的名称是西班牙人起的，意思是“肥沃的山谷”，因为拉斯韦加斯是周围荒凉的沙漠和半沙漠地带唯一有泉水的绿洲，由于有泉水，逐渐成为来往公路的驿站和铁路的中转站。内华达州发现金银矿后，大量淘金者涌入，拉斯韦加斯开始繁荣，但如同西部各采矿城镇一样，一旦矿被采光就会被抛弃。1931年在美国大萧条时期，为了度过经济难关，内华达州议会通过了赌博合法的议案，拉斯韦加斯成为一个赌城，从此迅速崛起。
拉斯维加斯的主要经济支柱是博彩业，由于赌场是个淘金碗，美国各地的大亨纷纷向拉斯韦加斯投资建赌场，甚至日本的富豪、阿拉伯的王子、着名演员均来投资。博彩业带动了旅游业、娱乐业的发展。为了使经济稳定发展，赌业公会实行严格的自律机制，对投资人进行严格的审查，对各赌场进行严格的监督，一旦发现问题，当事人将永远从赌业中清除出去。为了吸引游客，社会治安治理的非常好，对中了头奖的人，如果需要，由两名警察将其全程护送到在美国任何地方的家中。内华达州是美国唯一法律允许妓院合法的州，但唯独拉斯维加斯所在的县禁止嫖妓以维持社会治安。各个赌场竞相以金碧辉煌、奇形怪状的建筑吸引游客，所有赌场24小时开业，所有赌博方式俱全，从5美分到一掷几十万美圆的豪赌应有俱有。夜里2点一人在大街转悠也绝对安全(如果在纽约绝对会被抢劫)。机场的班机通往世界各地，任何私人飞机都很容易在拉斯韦加斯降落。在赌场中，只要付款，招手就有人给你送饭，从普通热狗到豪华大餐应有尽有。虽然后来内华达州的其他城市如里诺也发展赌博业，但拉斯维加斯占据着离大城市洛杉矶近和交通方便的地理优势，仍然占据着赌城的头把交椅。
Las Vegas， the name alone summonssummons n.召唤， ［律］传唤， 召集， 传票 vt.传唤到法院， 唤出， 传到 images of millions of neon lights， elaborate shows， outrageous performers and bustling casinos where millions are won and lost every night. Las Vegas is all of that but much more. This fabulous city represents the American Dream. Once just a dusty watering hole less than 70 years ago， it has been transformed into one of the most elaborate cities in the world and the hottest vacation spot for the entire family.
Las Vegas is second only to Walt Disney World as the favorite vacation destination in the United States. Last year the city drew nearly 30 million visitors and estimates show it will exceed that number this year.
Las Vegas is the largest city to be developed in the 20th century and it continues to grow each month. Approximately 4，000 people a month move to Las Vegas . They are lured to this town for its abundanceabundance n.丰富， 充裕， 丰富充裕 of jobs， its beautiful and affordable master planned communities and the freedom from state taxes.
Las Vegas is one of the most exciting and affordable places to live. New home sales are relatively low， restaurant and buffet dining can be cheaper than preparing a meal at home， entertainment is abundant and the weather is beautiful and sunny most every day of the year.
Although， gaming is a ＄5.5 billion dollar business， Las Vegas is attracting more and more businesses who want to set up manufacturing plants， corporate offices and other nongaming industries which seem to thrive as well as the megaresorts on the Las Vegas Strip. Come take a tour inside the most dazzlingdazzling adj.眼花缭乱的， 耀眼的 city in America and see what Las Vegas can offer you.
Las Vegas has become America，s favorite destination by continually repackaging itself to the world. This city is constantly growing and changing to keep attracting record breaking numbers of visitors each year. When gaming became legal in other parts of the country some thought the death knoll would sound for Las Vegas， but the added competition has only enhanced the city，s reputation for being the best. Las Vegas is not only good at promoting gaming but it has achieved excellence in customer service. You need not be a high roller to feel pampered in this city and due to the low cost of rooms， food and entertainment， a vacation in Las Vegas can be very affordable.