Las Vegas has nothing in common with the North Pacific Coast physically or culturally, however many of the landmarks in the North Pacific Coast can also be seen on the Las Vegas strip. Mount St. Helen, as the textbook mentions, is "one of a series of volcanic peaks that punctuate the Southern Cascades" (326). In Vegas, at the Mirage hotel they have an imitation volcano that according to Las Vegas Weekly's Vegas' Best is the " Best man made wonder" (http://www.mirage.com/). Every night the volcano erupts, and continues to entertain the tourists passing by, whereas Mount St. Helens has only had minor activity, and besides it's physical beauty is rather boring, and causes much more damage when it does erupt. Another landmark that has been reproduced is the Space Needle of Seattle. At the end of the Vegas strip sits the Stratosphere hotel, which is a direct imitation of the Space Needle. The Space Needle offers breath taking views of Seattle, a place to shop, and a restaurant. The Stratosphere on the other hand has three thrilling rides, shops, and an observation deck where the whole strip can be seen from. Now with all due respect to the late Tom McCall (governor of Oregon 1967-1975) and the residents of the North Pacific Coast, why would anyone want to live there when Vegas has everything they have to offer plus more.
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