What is the "Biggest Little City in the World"?

The “Biggest Little City in the World” is Reno, Nevada. The slogan captures Reno’s identity as a relatively compact city with a nationally prominent reputation, especially for gambling, tourism, and entertainment.

Reno began as a settlement near a crossing of the Truckee River and grew after the Central Pacific Railroad reached the area in the 1860s. The city was named for Jesse L. Reno, a Union major general killed during the American Civil War. Reno was incorporated in 1903 and became the county seat of Washoe County.

The famous nickname was not part of Reno’s original name. In 1929, G. A. Burns of Sacramento won a $100 contest to supply a slogan for the Reno Arch. His winning phrase, “Reno, the Biggest Little City in the World,” was placed on the arch and became closely associated with the city.

Reno is in northwestern Nevada near the Sierra Nevada and Lake Tahoe. It is also known for its neighboring city, Sparks, and the Reno–Sparks metropolitan area.