Los Angeles, Spanish for “The Angels”, is the most populous city in California and the second largest in the United States, after New York City, with a population of 3.8 million, on a land area of 498.3 square miles (1,290.6 km2). It is the focal point of the larger Los Angeles – Long Beach Riverside – combined statistical area, which contains nearly 17.8 million people and which is one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world and the second largest in the United States. Los Angeles is also the seat of Los Angeles County, the most populated and one of the most multicultural counties in the United States. The city’s inhabitants are referred to as “Angelenos”. Los Angeles was founded on September 4, 1781 by Spanish governor Felipe de Neve. It was incorporated as a municipality on April 4, 1850, five months before California achieved statehood.
Often known by its initials, LA, and nicknamed the City of Angels, Los Angeles is a world center of business, international trade, entertainment, culture, media, fashion, science, technology, and education. Los Angeles has been ranked the third richest city and fifth most powerful and influential city in the world, behind only New York City in the United States. As the home base of Hollywood, it is known as the “Entertainment Capital of the World”, leading the world in the creation of motion pictures, television production, video games, and recorded music. The importance of the entertainment business to the city has led many celebrities to call Los Angeles and its surrounding suburbs home. Los Angeles hosted the 1932 and 1984 Summer Olympics. Such famous universities as the University of Southern California and the University of California are situated there, too.
Los Angeles enjoys a Mediterranean climate and sunny weather. It’s a modern city with something for everyone. It’s noisy and crowded but fascinating.
