Reno (population around 220,500) is a city in Nevada, the second most heavily populated city in Nevada next to the city of Las Vegas. Reno serves as the county seat of Washoe County. The city of Reno is located at the foot of the Sierra Nevada Mountains in a desert valley. The city of Reno is adjacent to Sparks. The Reno-Sparks metropolitan area, called Truckee Meadows by residents, has a population of about 400,000.
Reno is known as The Biggest Little City in the World. Its name has come to be synonymous with gaming and casinos. The gaming corporation giant, Harrah's Entertainment, had its beginnings here. Tourism in the main business in Reno, with over five million visitors yearly. The hotel and casino business is the main attraction. Other than tourism, Reno has businesses connected to computers, electronics, financial services and communications. Businesses situated here make products ranging from pet food to cement.
As early as the 1850's, the first pioneers began settling in the Truckee Meadows. They were attracted to the valley with free flowing water of the Truckee River which flowed directly down from Lake Tahoe. Adventurers traversing the California Trail stopped here as they followed the Truckee River westward headed for the Sierras. Gold was discovered during the middle part of the nineteenth century, followed quickly by the discovery of silver, leading to a mining rush.
The city of Reno has a well-developed arts scene with collections being held at the Stremmel Gallery and the Nevada Museum of Arts. The downtown Reno Art District is the place to find shops, galleries, restaurants and coffeehouses. The Historic Reno Preservation Society provides tours of locations of ancient rock art and several historic sites. Reno's artistic and cultural organizations comprise the Reno Philharmonic Orchestra, the Reno Chamber Orchestra, the Nevada Opera, the Broadway Comes to Reno series and community theaters. Nothing To It Culinary Center, a well-regarded cooking school, provides classes.
The city of Reno hosts community events each and every year, like for example a classic car convention known as Hot August Nights, and a motorcycle rally and fan gathering referred to as Street Vibrations. There is also the Great Reno Balloon Race, the Reno Air Races, the Cinco De Mayo celebration, the Best in the West Nugget Rib Cook-Off in Sparks, and bowling tournaments.