To many people, Las Vegas is synonymous with entertainment and debauchery. Of course, the largest city in Nevada has a reputation that precedes it. But if you are moving here, then there might be many things that you are not entirely aware of. Beneath the glitz and glamor of the Strip, Las Vegas is actually a fascinating city with numerous points of interest that make it attractive for more than just gambling. History of the Desert Jewel The area has had a long history of settled peoples. The first signs of nomadic natives came in the form of petroglyphs on nearby rocks, which were left by Paleo-Indians nearly ten thousand years ago. The first permanent settlers were members of the Anasazi tribe about two thousand years ago before the valley was claimed Rafael Rivera, a Mexican scout, in 1829. Subsequently, the writings of John C. Fremont attracted more settlers to the desert valley. The city was officially incorporated in 1911. Today, Las Vegas is the heartbeat of the regional economy, driven by tourism as well as manufacturing. It is home to the largest number of Diamond AAA hotels in the world, with most of them located on the Strip, which rests on Fremont Boulevard just outside proper city limits. Numerous conventions are held here, which subsequently feed the local food and retail scene. This makes Las Vegas perfect for the small business owner looking to catch some of the massive crowds that come here on a daily basis. In Truth—Not a Bad Place The current population of Las Vegas is 583,736, with most of the population being employed at the casinos or at the handful of corporate offices in downtown. Las Vegas, despite its reputation, is actually a fairly nice city to live in if you can deal with dreadful summers. Many colleges are also located here, such as the University of Nevada-Las Vegas, which hosts a fairly successful football program. So do not be so quick to judge Las Vegas simply by what the press shows you. There is actually a lot more here than meets the eye. Message brought to you by American Mini Storage in Las Vegas, NV. American Mini Storage 6380 Annie Oakley Drive Las Vegas, NV 89120 (702) 803-1520