Los Angeles

by The Linguist

Los Angeles, California

Los Angeles, officially the City of Los Angeles and often abbreviated as L.A., is the largest city in California and the second most populous city in the United States, home to over 4 million residents. Often referred to as the “City of Angels”, Los Angeles is known for its Mediterranean climate, ethnic and cultural diversity, Hollywood entertainment industry, and sprawling metropolitan area.

Population

According to the Wikipedia page on Los Angeles, the city has a population of 4,029,157 as of 2022, making it the 49th most populous city in the world and 2nd largest city in the United States. The Los Angeles metropolitan area has a population of over 18.7 million as of 2020, making it the second-largest metropolitan area in the U.S. after New York.

History

Los Angeles was founded on September 4, 1781 by Spanish governor Felipe de Neve under the name El Pueblo de Nuestra Señora la Reina de los Ángeles del Río Porciúncula (The Town of Our Lady the Queen of the Angels on the River Porciúncula). It became part of Mexico after it gained independence in 1821. The Los Angeles Public Library has more details on the history of the city.

After the Mexican-American War in 1848, the city became part of the United States. Los Angeles saw rapid population growth throughout the early 20th century and became an important center for music, film and aerospace. It hosted the Summer Olympics in 1932 and 1984.

Economy

Some of the major industries and employers in Los Angeles include:

  • Entertainment and media (film, TV, music, video games)
  • Aerospace and defense
  • Technology
  • Fashion and apparel
  • Logistics and shipping
  • Finance and banking
  • Healthcare
  • Tourism

The Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation provides more details on the key industries and major companies that drive the city’s economy.

Some of the largest employers in Los Angeles include:

  • University of Southern California (USC)
  • Northrop Grumman
  • Providence Health & Services Southern California
  • Target Corp.
  • Ralphs/Food 4 Less (Kroger Co. Division)
  • Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
  • Allied Universal
  • California Institute of Technology
  • UPS
  • NBCUniversal

Landmarks

Some of the most famous landmarks and tourist attractions in Los Angeles include:

  • The Getty Center – Art museum and cultural center located in the Santa Monica Mountains. Address: 1200 Getty Center Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90049. Phone: (310) 440-7300.
  • Hollywood Bowl – Outdoor amphitheater known for concerts and performances. Address: 2301 N Highland Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90068. Phone: (323) 850-2000.
  • Griffith Observatory – Iconic Art Deco style observatory with planetarium shows. Address: 2800 E Observatory Rd, Los Angeles, CA 90027. Phone: (213) 473-0800.
  • Venice Beach Boardwalk – Eclectic beachside area known for street performers, shops and eateries. Located in the Venice neighborhood along the Pacific Ocean.
  • Santa Monica Pier – Historic pier with amusement park rides, restaurants, shops and views of the Pacific Ocean. Located at 200 Santa Monica Pier, Santa Monica, CA 90401.
  • Hollywood Walk of Fame – Sidewalk with stars honoring over 2,700 entertainment figures. Located along Hollywood Boulevard and Vine Street in Hollywood.

Some key GPS coordinates for landmarks in Los Angeles:

  • Dodger Stadium – 34°4’25.31″N 118°14’24.13″W
  • Walt Disney Concert Hall – 34°3’13.92″N 118°14’34.57″W
  • Angel’s Flight Railway – 34°3’1.63″N 118°14’55.22″W

Transportation

Los Angeles has an extensive transportation network that includes:

  • LAX Airport – The busiest airport in California and second busiest in the U.S. Located at 1 World Way, Los Angeles, CA 90045.
  • Metro Buses and Rail – Public transit network operated by the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) covering buses, light rail and subway. Metro.net has route maps and schedules.
  • Amtrak – Intercity passenger rail service connecting Los Angeles to cities across California and the country. The main station is Los Angeles Union Station.
  • Freeways – Los Angeles has an extensive freeway network including Interstates 5, 10, 101, 110 and 405 among others.

Getting around by car is common in Los Angeles although rush hour traffic can be challenging. The city has been investing in public transit expansions to help reduce congestion and pollution.

County and Government

Los Angeles is located within Los Angeles County, the most populous county in the United States with over 10 million residents as of 2020. The county headquarters are located at:

Los Angeles County Hall of Administration
500 West Temple Street
Los Angeles, CA 90012
Phone: (213) 974-1411

The county government website can be found at LACounty.gov.

The government of the City of Los Angeles includes:

  • Mayor’s Office – Currently held by Mayor Eric Garcetti. Located at 200 N Spring St, Los Angeles, CA 90012.
  • Los Angeles City Council – The legislative body with 15 districts across Los Angeles. Located at 200 N Spring St, Los Angeles, CA 90012.
  • Departments – Administer various functions like LAPD, LAFD, Public Works, Water & Power, and more.

Learn more at LACity.org, the official city government website.

Education

Public education in Los Angeles is managed by the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD), the 2nd largest school district in the U.S. The LAUSD website can be found at LAUSD.net.

LAUSD has over 1,000 schools serving around 600,000 students across Los Angeles. Some of the largest high schools include:

  • Sylmar High School – 14050 Borden Ave, Sylmar, CA 91342
  • Garfield High School – 5101 E 6th St, Los Angeles, CA 90022
  • Eagle Rock High School – 1750 Yosemite Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90041

In addition, Los Angeles is home to many renowned private schools and over 40 colleges and universities including UCLA, USC, Caltech, Occidental College and more.

Sports Teams

Los Angeles is home to several major professional sports teams competing across the major leagues. Some of the most popular teams include:

  • Los Angeles Dodgers – Major League Baseball team playing at Dodger Stadium.
  • Los Angeles Lakers – National Basketball Association team playing at Crypto.com Arena.
  • Los Angeles Rams – National Football League team playing at SoFi Stadium.
  • LAFC – Major League Soccer team playing at Banc of California Stadium.

Local Resources

Here are some additional local resources and websites for Los Angeles:

Map of Los Angeles

This map shows the major neighborhoods and landmarks in the City of Los Angeles.