The gambling capital of the United States, Las Vegas is located in the heart of the desert on the edge of the state of Nevada.

A glittering city of hotels, neon lights and entertainment, some 30 million visitors come here every year to gamble, get hitched or gawk at strippers. The city's ostentatious hotels and casinos have become tourist attractions in their own right.

The Las Vegas Boulevard is the main strip and is crammed with shops, topless bars and wedding chapels. Stroll down the strip and experience the Bellagio's famous fountain show, a gondola ride at the Venetian, a pirate shows at Treasure Island or the Effiel Tower at the Paris Hotel.

Las Vegas' other kitsch attractions include the Bonanza (apparently the world's largest giftshop), the marvellously tacky Liberace Museum and the ultimate Trekkie's dream at Circus Circus - the Star Trek Experience.

Everything in Las Vegas has been taken to the extreme: there are restaurants galore offering all-you-can-eat buffets, Fremont Street is nothing short of a neon extravaganza, stretch limo's grace every street corner, and the world's highest roller coaster rattles along on top of the Stratosphere (1149 ft). If you still haven't had your fill, you could party until the early hours at one of Vegas' chic nightclubs then relax the day away by the pool at the Hard Rock Café.

Other ways to lose your money in Vegas include skydiving, bungy jumping, touring the surrounding desert by helicopter, watching motor racing at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway or horseback riding through canyons. It's no wonder Las Vegas has been dubbed "America's Playground".

McCarran International Airport is the main gateway to Las Vegas.