Los Angeles, often referred to by its initials L.A., is the largest city in the U.S. state of California. It has a population of nearly four million, making it the second-most populous city in the United States, after New York City. The city covers an area of about 469 square miles and it's located in Southern California.
Los Angeles is known for its Mediterranean climate, ethnic diversity, and sprawling metropolis. It is the cultural, financial, and commercial center of Southern California. The city's economy is primarily based on entertainment (as the home of Hollywood), but it also revolves around international trade, technology, petroleum, fashion, and tourism.
The city has many notable landmarks like the Hollywood Sign, Walt Disney Concert Hall, the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, and the Staples Center. It also hosts prestigious institutions covering a broad range of professional and cultural fields, including the University of Southern California, the University of California, Los Angeles, the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, Getty Center, and the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.
Los Angeles is also famous for its Mediterranean climate, with year-round moderate temperature, lots of sunshine, and less rainfall. The city's culinary scene consists of everything from multi-course tasting menus to food trucks and pop-ups. Ethnic enclaves like Koreatown, Little Ethiopia, Chinatown, Thai Town, Little Tokyo, and several others offer an array of unique, authentic dining experiences.
Los Angeles has a rich history reflected in the diversity of its people and culture. The city offers a vibrant mix of urban and suburban, natural and constructed, luxurious and casual living. Thus making L.A. a popular destination for tourists and a valued place of residence for its citizens.
Due to its location on the Pacific Rim and its large, diverse population, Los Angeles is known for a variety of international cuisines, spanning from gourmet to food truck eats. It also has a vibrant arts scene, driven by thousands of artists, actors, musicians, and other creative professionals who call the city home.