Los Angeles, CA

Los Angeles
City
City of Los Angeles
Flag Seal
Location within Los Angeles County
Coordinates:
Country	United States
State	California
County	Los Angeles County
Founded	September 4, 1781
Incorporated	April 4, 1850
Government
• Type	Mayor-Council
• Mayor	Karen Bass
Area
• Total	503 sq mi (1,300 km2)
• Land	469 sq mi (1,210 km2)
• Water	34 sq mi (90 km2)
Population  (2020)
• Total	3,792,621
• Density	8,092/sq mi (3,124/km2)
Time zone	UTC-8 (PST)
• Summer (DST)	UTC-7 (PDT)
ZIP Codes	90001–90084, 90086–90089, 90091, 90093, 90095, 90096, 90099, 90101–90103, 90174, 90185, 90189
Area code(s)	213, 310, 424, 661, 818
Website	www.lacity.org

Los Angeles (Spanish for "The Angels"), officially the City of Los Angeles and often known by its initials L.A., is the largest city in the state of California and the second-most populous city in the United States. It is located in Southern California and is known for its Mediterranean climate, ethnic diversity, and sprawling metropolis. Los Angeles is the cultural, financial, and commercial center of California.

History

Los Angeles was founded on September 4, 1781, by Spanish governor Felipe de Neve. It became a part of Mexico in 1821 following the Mexican War of Independence. In 1848, at the end of the Mexican-American War, Los Angeles and the rest of California were purchased as part of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, thus becoming part of the United States. The city was incorporated on April 4, 1850, five months before California achieved statehood.

Geography

Los Angeles is situated in a large coastal basin bounded by the Pacific Ocean on one side and by mountains as high as 10,000 feet (3,000 m) on the other. The city covers about 503 square miles (1,302 km²), making it the largest city in California by land area.

Climate

Los Angeles has a Mediterranean climate with mild, wet winters and hot, dry summers. The city experiences an average of 35 days with measurable precipitation annually.

Demographics

As of the 2020 census, Los Angeles had a population of approximately 3.8 million people. The city is known for its ethnic diversity, with significant populations of Latino, Asian, and African American residents.

Economy

Los Angeles has a diverse economy, with strengths in entertainment, technology, fashion, and tourism. The city is home to Hollywood, a major center of the world entertainment industry. Other important sectors include international trade, aerospace, and technology.

Culture

Los Angeles is a major center for culture and the arts. The city is home to numerous museums, theaters, and music venues. Notable cultural institutions include the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, the Getty Center, and the Walt Disney Concert Hall.

Education

Los Angeles is served by the Los Angeles Unified School District, the second-largest public school district in the United States. The city is also home to several major universities, including the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) and the University of Southern California (USC).

Transportation

Los Angeles is known for its extensive freeway system. The city is served by Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), one of the busiest airports in the world. Public transportation is provided by the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro), which operates buses and rail lines throughout the city.

Sports

Los Angeles is home to several professional sports teams, including the Los Angeles Lakers and Los Angeles Clippers of the NBA, the Los Angeles Dodgers of MLB, and the Los Angeles Rams and Los Angeles Chargers of the NFL.

Related Pages

• California
• Hollywood
• Los Angeles County, California
• University of California, Los Angeles
• University of Southern California
• Los Angeles International Airport
• Los Angeles Lakers
• Los Angeles Dodgers

See Also

• List of cities in California
• History of Los Angeles
• Geography of Los Angeles
• Economy of Los Angeles
• Culture of Los Angeles