City of Los Angeles

City of Los Angeles
Name	City of Los Angeles
Settlement type	City
Nickname	"L.A.", "The City of Angels", "The Entertainment Capital of the World"
Motto	''
Subdivision type	Country
Subdivision name	United States
Subdivision type1	State
Subdivision name1	California
Subdivision type2	County
Subdivision name2	Los Angeles
Established title	Founded
Established date	September 4, 1781
Established title1	Incorporated
Established date1	April 4, 1850
Government type	Mayor–council government
Leader title	Mayor
Leader name	Karen Bass
Leader title1	City Council
Leader name1	15 members
Unit pref	Imperial
Area total sq mi	502.7
Area land sq mi	469.5
Area water sq mi	33.2
Elevation ft	285
Population total	3,898,747
Population as of	2020
Population density sq mi	8,304
Population metro	13,200,998
Timezone	Pacific Time Zone
Utc offset	−8
Timezone DST	PDT
Utc offset DST	−7
Postal code type	ZIP Codes
Postal code	90001–90068, 90070–90084, 90086–90089, 90091, 90093–90097, 90099, 90101–90103, 90174, 90185, 90189, 90291–90293, 91040–91043, 91303–91308, 91311, 91316, 91324–91328, 91330, 91331, 91335, 91340, 91342–91349, 91352–91353, 91356–91357, 91364–91367, 91401–91499, 91504–91505, 91507, 91510, 91521–91523, 91601–91609
Area code	213, 310, 323, 424, 661, 747, 818
Website	lacity.gov

City of Los Angeles. The City of Los Angeles is a major metropolis in Southern California and the most populous city in the state of California. Often known by its initials L.A., it serves as the cultural, financial, and commercial hub of the expansive Los Angeles metropolitan area. The city is globally renowned as the center of the entertainment industry, anchored by districts like Hollywood.

History

The area was originally inhabited by the Tongva and Chumash peoples before Spanish explorer Gaspar de Portolà arrived in 1769. The settlement was founded on September 4, 1781, by Spanish governor Felipe de Neve as El Pueblo de la Reina de los Ángeles. It became part of Mexico following the Mexican War of Independence before being seized by the United States during the Mexican–American War and incorporated as a city on April 4, 1850. The completion of the Southern Pacific Railroad in 1876 and the discovery of oil in the 1890s spurred massive growth, which accelerated with the rise of the film industry in the early 20th century, led by pioneers like Cecil B. DeMille and studios such as Paramount Pictures.

Geography

The city covers a diverse topographic area within the Los Angeles Basin, bounded by the Pacific Ocean to the west and the San Gabriel Mountains to the northeast. Major geographic features include the Santa Monica Mountains, the Los Angeles River, and the natural harbor of San Pedro Bay, which contains the Port of Los Angeles. The region is seismically active, situated near the San Andreas Fault, and is characterized by a Mediterranean climate with mild, wet winters and hot, dry summers, though it experiences phenomena like Santa Ana winds and periodic droughts in California.

Demographics

According to the 2020 United States Census, the city has a population of nearly 3.9 million, making it the second-most populous city in the United States after New York City. It is an exceptionally diverse city, with no single racial or ethnic group constituting a majority; significant populations include those of Hispanic or Latino origin, non-Hispanic whites, Asian Americans, and African Americans. Major languages spoken include English, Spanish, Korean, Armenian, and Tagalog, reflecting communities in areas like Koreatown and Historic Filipinotown.

Economy

Los Angeles possesses one of the largest metropolitan economies in the world, driven by international trade, entertainment, technology, and aerospace. The Port of Los Angeles and the adjoining Port of Long Beach form the busiest container port complex in the Americas. The city is synonymous with global entertainment, home to major film studios like Warner Bros. and Universal Pictures, the television industry, and the music sector centered on Hollywood. Other key industries include financial services in Downtown Los Angeles, fashion centered on the Los Angeles Fashion District, and advanced manufacturing for companies like SpaceX and Northrop Grumman.

Culture

The city is a global cultural capital, famously depicted in countless films, television series, and songs. Landmarks include the Hollywood Sign, Griffith Observatory, and the Walk of Fame. It hosts major institutions like the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, the Getty Center, and the Walt Disney Concert Hall, home to the Los Angeles Philharmonic. The cultural landscape is further defined by its diverse culinary scenes, from food trucks to renowned restaurants, and major events such as the Academy Awards, the Los Angeles Marathon, and the LA Pride parade.

Government and politics

Los Angeles operates under a Mayor–council government system established by its city charter. The current mayor is Karen Bass, and legislative power is vested in the 15-member Los Angeles City Council. The city is a dominant force in California politics and typically supports the Democratic Party in national elections. Key local issues often involve homelessness in Los Angeles, public transportation expansion led by LA Metro, police reform, and environmental regulations. The city is also the seat of Los Angeles County government.

Category:Los Angeles Category:Cities in California Category:Populated places established in 1781