Los Angeles is the second largest city in the United States of America!  It is located between the San Gabriel Mountains and the Pacific Ocean.  Bisected by the Santa Monica Mountains, which seperate the neighborhoods of Hollywood, the Beverly Hills, and Pacific Palisades from the San Fernando Valley.  Los Angeles is situated near the San Andreas Fault, and earthquakes are frequent. It began in 1771 as a Spanish mission, the city was established as El Pueblo de la Reyna de los Angeles (the town of the Queen of the Angels) in 1781.

 

Los Angeles was taken by United States forces during the Mexican War.  Los Angeles prospered during the gold rush of 1849.  In fact, this helped Los Angeles become an incorporated city in 1850!  The city grew rapidly after the arrival of the railroads in 1876 and 1885.  Soon, in 1913, and aqueduct was built to supply the city with water from the slopes of the Sierra Nevada!

 

Los Angeles in more recent years was struck by an earthquake in 1994.  Sites of interest in Los Angeles include the Getty Musuem, early Spanish Missions, the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, and the Museum of Contemporary Art!  Major educational institutes in the area include the University of Southern California, Occidental College, and the University of California at Los Angeles.