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The Geography of Las Vegas:
The Basics
Site: the absolute location of a place including
the physical and cultural attributes of a place.
More than simply the geometry of its location
(e.g., in terms of latitude and longitude), site
refers to the internal character of a place.
Situation: the relative location of a place with
reference to its positioning within a region,
nation, etc. and its relationships with its
surroundings.
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Physiographic Regions
http://fermi.jhuapl.edu/states/
Ecological Regions of North America
San Francisco/Oakland
Salt Lake City
Denver
Los Angeles
San Diego
Phoenix
Dallas/
Fort Worth
Public West - Private East
State Bird: Mountain bluebird (Sialia currucoides)
State Animal: Desert Bighorn Sheep (Ovis
canadensis nelsoni)
State Reptile:
p
Desert Tortoise ((Gopherus
p
agassizii)
g
)
State Fish: Lahontan Cutthroat Trout (Salmo clarki
henshawi)
State Fossil: Ichthyosaur (Shonisaurus)
State Flower: Sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata)
State Grass: Indian Ricegrass (Oryzopsis
hymenoides)
State Trees: Single leaf Pinon and Bristlecone Pine
(Pinus monophylla and Pinus aristata)
State Rock: Sandstone
State Metal: Silver
State Precious Gemstone: Virgin Valley Black Fire
Opal
State Semi-Precious Gemstone: Turquoise
State Artifact: Tule Duck (Lovelock Cave)
State Colors: Silver and Blue
Atlas of the New Wes
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Federal and Indian Lands
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Nellis AFB
Summerlin
Downtown
The Strip
McCarran
International Airport
Quiz Fodder
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In what state is Las Vegas located?
What states surround that state?
What is the state capital?
Which large cities are closest to Las Vegas?
Las Vegas is located in which perceptual region?
Ecological region? Physiographic region?
In which county is Las Vegas located?
What is the large reservoir is located east of Las
Vegas? It is created by what dam? On what river?
What three cities are located in Las Vegas Valley?
In which city is the Las Vegas Strip located?
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