If you’d like to sample the southwest, Nevada is a great place to start. Like other states in the region, Nevada has lush, high-elevation mountain ranges; large valleys; and arid desert plains, such as the Mojave Desert, part of Nevada’s Great Basin. Though its capital is Carson City, Nevada is most famous for—take a wild guess, or better yet, place a bet--you guessed it…Las Vegas! People travel from all around the globe to experience the glitz, the glamour, the food, the biggest luxury hotel and casinos in the world, and of course, the gambling, Nevada’s primary source of revenue. Here you’ll find impressive live shows with well known celebrities and musicians; unparalleled nightlife in clubs, lounges, and bars of all types; amusement and water park rides for families; shopping and dining for all price ranges; architecture celebrating the diversity of many different countries, and visual attractions of all kinds. Vegas aside, there’s also Lake Tahoe, famous for its high mountain peaks overlooking the picturesque lake, which is particularly breathtaking in winter when skiing the white, powdery slopes while watching the sun sparkle on the lake below. Reno is another popular destination, as is the immense, awe-inspiring Hoover Dam, the tallest dam in North America. Aside from the manmade wonders, Nevada is also prime real estate for hiking, camping, mountain biking, climbing, boating and swimming on its many lakes, hot air ballooning, and other fun, outdoor sports.