LOS ANGELES AT A GLANCE
Los Angeles, home to more than 4 million people, is the most populous city in the state of California and the second-most in the United States. Founded in 1781, Los Angeles was incorporated as a municipality on April 4, 1850 and is the county seat of Los Angeles County.
"Los Angeles is a city of champions. I love it here."
- Ervin "Magic" Johnson
Business & Economy
Located in Southern California, Los Angeles is one of the world's major global cities and is a hub of shipping, manufacturing, industry, and finance. Los Angeles is also world-renowned in the entertainment and communications fields.
Diversity
The 2000 census confirmed that Latinos have become the biggest ethnic group in both the city and the county, and Asians have displaced African Americans as the third largest ethnic group.
Higher Education
Los Angeles is home to 176 colleges and universities, including such prestigious institutions as the University of Southern California (USC), UCLA, Pepperdine University, Occidental College, Loyola Marymount University and the Art Center College of Design.
Demographics
Los Angeles is one of only two US cities without a majority population. People from 140 countries, speaking approximately 86 different languages, currently call Los Angeles home. The racial and ethnic demographics are as follows: African American – 10%, Caucasian – 31%, Latino/Hispanic – 45%, Asian American – 13%, and Native American – < 1%
LOS ANGELES DAILY LIVING
- One of the most famous cities in the US for shopping, dining, and an amazing display of wealth and style. Beverly Hills is bordered by downtown Hollywood to the east and the 405 freeway to the west. The area boasts some of the most ultimate sightseeing stops, including Rodeo Drive and the ultralux neighborhood of Bel Air.
- The first American Chinatown planned and owned by Chinese immigrants, this vibrant LA neighborhood has grown into a charming collection of businesses and residences. In addition to lively retail markets and restaurants, the neighborhood hosts fun events like the Chinese New Year celebration in February, a summer film festival, and a weekly farmers market.
- The city's downtown is a growing area of lofts and businesses, and is also home to many of the city's museums, theaters and historic landmarks including the Walt Disney Concert Hall, the Museum of Contemporary Art, and the monumental Our Lady of the Angels cathedral.
- West Hollywood features the Sunset Strip, a stretch of Sunset Boulevard showcasing the city's hottest nightclubs and live-music venues, and is also the center of the city's gay and lesbian community.
THINGS TO DO
- Los Angeles has more than 80 stage theaters and 300 museums, more than any U.S. city. Popular art museums and cultural centers include the Getty Center, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, Museum of Contemporary Art, Norton Simon Museum and the Huntington Library, Art Collections and Botanical Gardens.
- The area's beaches, stretching from Malibu in the north to Long Beach in the south, are a popular draw for water sports, sailing, family fun, beach volleyball.
- Places like Disneyland and Universal Studios are huge attractions for tourists and residents alike, with many locals holding annual passes that let them visit the theme parks as much as they want.
- Some of the best shopping areas include Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills, Third Street Promenade and Montana Avenue in Santa Monica, Old Town Pasadena, the Hollywood and Highland complex, the Beverly Center, The Grove, Melrose Avenue, and Robertson Boulevard.
- Nighttime hotspots include places such as Downtown Los Angeles, Silver Lake, Hollywood, and West Hollywood.
- Los Angeles is the home of the Los Angeles Dodgers of Major League Baseball, the Los Angeles Kings of the NHL, and the Los Angeles Lakers and Los Angeles Clippers of the NBA.
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