Las Vegas is the largest city founded in the 20th century. It's a major tourist, shopping, vacation and gambling destination. The Census Bureau's official population estimate as of 2003 was over half a million.
Las Vegas was given its name by Spaniards in the Antonio Armijo party, who watered there while heading north and west along the Old Spanish Trail from Texas. At that time, some low areas of the Las Vegas Valley contained artesian springs that created extensive green areas in contrast to the surrounding desert, hence the name "Las Vegas", Spanish for "The Meadows".
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