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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

Salt Lake City

Denver

San Francisco/Oakland

PhoenixLos Angeles

San Diego

Dallas/Fort Worth

State Bird: Mountain bluebird (Sialia currucoides)State Animal: Desert Bighorn Sheep (Ovis

canadensis nelsoni)State Reptile: Desert Tortoise (Gopherus agassizii)p ( p 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: SandstoneState Metal: SilverState Precious Gemstone: Virgin Valley Black Fire

OpalState Semi-Precious Gemstone: TurquoiseState Artifact: Tule Duck (Lovelock Cave)State Colors: Silver and Blue

Public West - Private East

Atlas of the New WesAtlas of the New Wes

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Federal and Indian Lands

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Nellis AFB

The Strip

DowntownSummerlin

McCarran International Airport

Quiz Fodder• 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?• 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?