In 2005, Las Vegas celebrated its anniversary - 100 years from the day when the city first appeared on maps of the New World, becoming a railway quick stop in the desert in one of the most unusual city on Earth.  In the year of its anniversary Las Vegas welcomed 38.6 million tourists, by 2010 Las Vegas is preparing to take every year about 45 million visitors (!!!) and will take the title of the most visited cities in the world.  Compare to Rome, which is known for its famous saying «all roads lead to Rome», in a good year, only 20 million tourists are visiting.

The city itself is growing. In 1940, approximately 16,000 people lived in Las Vegas. In the beginning of the third Millennium (2000) – 478,000; in 2007 - 2 million, and in 2015 – it is expected to grow to 5 million people.

   The first mention of Las Vegas was is 1829 when the caravan trade has lost its way on the route to Los Angeles. Under the inexorable sun exposure crock people encamped.  Several volunteers went on a quest for water. Among them was a Mexican, Rafael Rivera, who was lucky enough to find salvation oasis among sand.  The very name of the city in the translation from Spanish, means "the flood plain meadow”.  In 1855 Mormons missionaries from the neighboring state of Utah came to the valley of Las Vegas and built a fort, which became the first non Indian settlement in the region. But after 3 years, in connection with frequent raids of the Indians, a fort was abandoned by its inhabitants.  We are reminded of those times only by  the remains preserved at the historic part of town «Mormons Fort».

   The next stage of the biography of Las Vegas began only three decades later - in the midst of the era of conquest of the Wild West. Discovered in the late 19 century deposits of precious metals attracted those wanted to get rich.  Through the valley paved the railroad and built a tent camp for the rest of passengers at the time the train stops for water refill. Since then Las Vegas first appeared on maps of the New World, and was officially founded on May 15, 1905.

   By that time Las Vegas streets were overcrowded by gambling halls and salons.  Widespread enthusiasm for games was accompanied by a constant exchanges and disassembly bordering criminality.  To curb lawlessness, in 1909 the government has banned gambling in the state, but people were not able to abandon their traditional way of life and the gambling went underground.  The owners of the former legal casinos have become the owners of private gaming clubs.  Hard government measures used as a vaccine against gambling, proved unsuccessful.  As a result - in 1911 card game became legal.  This was a beginning of the professional players and the knights of luck.

 The next step was taken in 1915, when the range of casino card games were allowed to vary, as well as to install slot machines.  Winnings  in the first slot machines were paid in clothing equivalent.  Lucky once received cash instead of cigars or alcohol.

   The fate of Las Vegas abruptly changed on May 19, 1931: that day gambling in its entirety was legalized on the Territory of Nevada.  This project is proposed to replenish the budget of a Victorian Nevada by a Citizen Tobin, who has never gambled.  On this money he suggested    to build many new schools and urban infrastructure.  Liberal legislation has become to attract people to games.

   Since then Las Vegas has become a symbol of entertainment and excitement!  From a small railway stop over in the desert Las Vegas has become a real city with great people and fantastic budget!!!!