Elko is the capitol of Elko County. Elko county is the fourth largest county in the US, around 17000 square miles in size. It is mostly rural, and agricultural, but tourism is also important economically, as well as mining. Elko is a transportation hub for the region. We are on the railroad lines, Interstate 80, and we have a small (but very nice) airport and regular air service to Salt Lake City. We are in the middle of 'Cowboy Country'.
About ten years ago, Elko was named 'the Best Small Town in the US' but we have grown out of the category by now. The city population is about 16.500, with probably close to 35,000 in the immediate vicinity (what you might call 'the metropolitan area'.
Elko is a popular destination for outdoors enthusiasts: fishing, hunting, skiing, snowmobiling and rockclimbing are all available in Elko County. We have four casinos for the gambling contingent, and numerous annual events. Three of the biggest and most popular events are:
Cowboy Poetry Gathering
Silver State Stampede
International Basque Festival
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