Los Angeles is the second-largest city in the United States and one of the most expansive metropolitan areas in the world. The Greater Los Angeles area—city plus surrounding suburbs—is home to approximately 18 million people. Stretching for more than 200 kilometers along the Pacific Ocean coastline, Los Angeles is the largest U.S. city by land area and among the world’s largest in terms of geographic size. Today, the city stands as a global center for science, culture, and education—and is the world’s leading hub for the film, television, and music industries.
The first permanent European settlement in the area dates back to 1781, when Spanish colonists founded a small coastal village of just 40 people. Within a few decades, it grew into a town of over a thousand residents. In 1876, the arrival of the railroad connected Los Angeles to wider markets, enabling the export of locally grown citrus and accelerating economic growth.
Los Angeles experienced its first major industrial boom in the late 1800s, following the discovery of large oil reserves near the city. Within 30 years, Los Angeles was producing roughly 25% of the world’s oil output at the time. By the early 1930s, however, the city’s defining industry shifted toward entertainment. Film, television, and music production became the region’s signature, drawing artists and performers from around the globe and shaping Los Angeles into the creative capital it is today.
Los Angeles is also home to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, which annually presents the world’s most prestigious film award—the Academy Awards. The entertainment industry alone attracts over 40 million tourists each year, eager to experience Hollywood and the city’s creative energy.
Geographically, Los Angeles lies in one of North America’s most seismically active regions, near the massive San Andreas Fault and the nearby Puente Hills Fault. As a result, the city has experienced several major earthquakes in its history. Today, minor seismic activity is recorded in the region almost daily, making earthquakes a natural—if closely monitored—part of life in Los Angeles.