Los Angeles, also known as LA, is the second-most populous city in the United States, after New York City. With roughly 3.9 million residents within the city limits as of 2020, Los Angeles is the commercial, financial and cultural center of the Southern California region. Los Angeles has a Mediterranean climate, an ethnically and culturally diverse population, in addition to a sprawling metropolitan area.
Los Angeles is best known as the home of the Hollywood film industry, the world's largest by revenue. It also has one of the busiest container ports in the Americas. In 2018, the Los Angeles metropolitan area had a gross metropolitan product of over $1.0 trillion, making it the city with the third-largest GDP in the world. Los Angeles hosted the Summer Olympics in 1932 and 1984, and will also host in 2028.
History
The history of Los Angeles, California can be traced back to the Tongva people, who inhabited the area for thousands of years before the arrival of Europeans. The first European to visit the area was Juan Rodríguez Cabrillo in 1542. He claimed the area for Spain, but it was not until 1781 that the Spanish established a permanent settlement.
The settlement, known as El Pueblo de Nuestra Señora la Reina de los Ángeles de Porciúncula, was a small farming village. It remained under Spanish and then Mexican rule until 1848, when it was ceded to the United States as part of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo.
Los Angeles grew rapidly in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, thanks in part to the discovery of oil in the 1890s. The city also became a popular tourist destination, thanks to its mild climate and beautiful scenery.
In the 1920s, Los Angeles became the home of the Hollywood film industry. The film industry attracted people from all over the world, and the city's population boomed.
Los Angeles continued to grow after World War II. The city became a major center for aerospace and other industries. It also became a popular place to live and raise a family.
Today, Los Angeles is a global city with a population of over 3.9 million people. It is a major center for business, finance, culture, and entertainment.
Here is a brief timeline of some of the key events in the history of Los Angeles:
1542: Juan Rodríguez Cabrillo claims the area for Spain.
1781: The Spanish establish a permanent settlement, known as El Pueblo de Nuestra Señora la Reina de los Ángeles de Porciúncula.
1821: Mexico gains independence from Spain, and Los Angeles becomes part of Mexico.
1848: The United States acquires Los Angeles as part of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo.
1890s: Oil is discovered in the Los Angeles area, leading to rapid growth.
1920s: Los Angeles becomes the home of the Hollywood film industry.
1932: Los Angeles hosts the Summer Olympics.
1941: The United States enters World War II, and Los Angeles becomes a major center for aerospace production.
1984: Los Angeles hosts the Summer Olympics again.
2028: Los Angeles will host the Summer Olympics for the third time.
Sports Teams
The following is a list of current major league professional sports teams in the Los Angeles area, along with a brief history of each team:
Los Angeles Lakers (NBA): The Lakers were founded in 1946 as the Minneapolis Lakers. They moved to Los Angeles in 1960. The Lakers have won 17 NBA championships, tied for the most with the Boston Celtics. They are one of the most successful and popular teams in the NBA.
Los Angeles Clippers (NBA): The Clippers were founded in 1970 as the Buffalo Braves. They moved to San Diego in 1978 and to Los Angeles in 1984. The Clippers have never won an NBA championship, but they have made the playoffs in recent years.
Los Angeles Dodgers (MLB): The Dodgers were founded in 1883 as the Brooklyn Atlantics. They moved to Los Angeles in 1958. The Dodgers have won seven World Series championships. They are one of the most popular and successful teams in MLB.
Los Angeles Angels (MLB): The Angels were founded in 1961 as the Los Angeles Angels. They moved to Anaheim in 1966 and changed their name to the California Angels. In 1997, they changed their name back to the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. In 2005, they shortened their name to the Los Angeles Angels. The Angels have won one World Series championship.
Los Angeles Rams (NFL): The Rams were founded in 1936 as the Cleveland Rams. They moved to Los Angeles in 1946. The Rams won Super Bowl XXXIV in 2000. They moved to St. Louis in 1995, but returned to Los Angeles in 2016.
Los Angeles Chargers (NFL): The Chargers were founded in 1960 as the Los Angeles Chargers. They moved to San Diego in 1961, but returned to Los Angeles in 2017. The Chargers have never won a Super Bowl, but they have made the playoffs in recent years.
Los Angeles Kings (NHL): The Kings were founded in 1967 as an expansion team. They have won two Stanley Cups, in 2012 and 2014. The Kings are one of the most popular and successful teams in the NHL.
Los Angeles Galaxy (MLS): The Galaxy were founded in 1995 as one of the original teams in Major League Soccer. They have won five MLS Cups, more than any other team in the league. The Galaxy are one of the most popular and successful teams in MLS.
Los Angeles FC (MLS): LAFC was founded in 2014 as an expansion team. They have won one MLS Cup, in 2022. LAFC is one of the most popular and successful teams in MLS.
In addition to these major league professional sports teams, the Los Angeles area is also home to a number of minor league and college sports teams.
Attractions
Some of the most popular tourist attractions in Los Angeles include:
This is just a small sample of the many businesses that are headquartered in Los Angeles. The city is a major center for a wide range of industries, including technology, media and entertainment, retail and consumer goods, and finance and business services.
