| Nevada is a large state of deserts and mountains. |
| Since most of the land is not suitable for farming, the population grew very slowly. |
| In the 1950s, there were only 267,000 people in the entire state. |
| Now, there are nearly a million people living in the Las Vegas area alone. |
| Las Vegas has become a major tourist center. |
| It used to be quite a little desert town of the old west. |
| But in the 1950s and 1960s, hotels and gambling casinos were opened. |
| In order to bring tourists to town, these hotels hired well-known entertainers. |
| Soon Las Vegas became known as a major entertainment center. |
| In order to promote the growth of Nevada, some activities were allowed which were against the law in other states. |
| These included gambling and prostitution. |
| It was also easier to get married in Nevada than in some other states. |
| Over time, many other attractions were developed. |
| Much of the activity in Las Vegas goes on at some 30 major hotels. |
| Many of these hotels provide a complete range of services and entertainment. |
| Some of them boast 4,000 or 5,000 rooms. |
| It is common for these large hotels to be organized around a particular theme, |
| such as the Middle Ages, the Arabian Nights, the movies, the circus, Paris, Egypt or the Far East. |
| The hotel, its restaurants, shops, lounges and entertainment reflect this theme. |
| For example, the Paris Las Vegas Hotel has a 50-storey replica of the Eiffel Tower. |
| The Luxor Hotel has a huge image of an Egyptian Sphinx and a replica of the tomb of King Tut. |
| Nearly all of the major hotels also contain a casino, sometimes several casinos. |
| Gambling is a major reason why people come to Las Vegas. |
| There are slot machines, blackjack tables, and roulette wheels and much more. |
| Even though Las Vegas is in the desert, there is an extravagant use of water. |
| Large swimming pools, water slides, artificial waterfalls and huge fountains are common. |
| Health spas, beauty salons, fashion boutiques, specialty restaurants and malls abound. |
| Tennis and golf are also popular. |
| The lavish shows at Las Vegas are world famous. |
| Tall dancing showgirls, like the famous Rockettes, wear beautiful but rather skimpy costumes. |
| Some entertainers, like singer Wayne Newton, rarely leave Las Vegas. |
| The pay there is good, and the audiences are appreciative. |
| Near Las Vegas are other tourist sites such as the giant Hoover Dam. |
| Behind the Hoover Dam is the large artificial lake, Lake Mead. |
| Further up the river is the Grand Canyon. |
| All these things are a short trip from the city. |
| Las Vegas is called the city that never sleeps. |
| At nearly any time of the day or night, there are casinos and shows that are open. |
| A monorail connects many of the leading hotels. |
| Many people view Las Vegas as a total entertainment package. |
| One word of caution, set yourself a limit on how much you will spend at the casinos. |
| Gambling can be addictive. |
More English listening lessons for intermediate level:
Lesson 80: Shopping At The Mall
