How well do you know Los Angeles?
LA is the entertainment capital of the world, but its history and geography hold many surprises. Six questions, from easy to hard, with explanations.
Did you know?
- Griffith Park covers more than 4,000 acres, making it several times larger than New York's Central Park. It includes the observatory, the Los Angeles Zoo and more than 50 miles of trails.
- The Port of Los Angeles, together with the neighboring Port of Long Beach, forms the busiest container port complex in the United States, handling a large share of goods imported from Asia.
- The La Brea Tar Pits in the middle of Los Angeles have produced millions of Ice Age fossils, including mammoths, saber-toothed cats and dire wolves, trapped in natural asphalt.
The city of angels and dreams
Los Angeles is the second-largest city in the United States and the heart of a sprawling metropolitan area of more than 13 million people. Founded as a small Spanish settlement in 1781, it grew with railroads, oil, agriculture and above all the entertainment industry. Today it is known for its diversity, beaches, freeways and creative industries.
Hollywood's rise
Filmmakers moved to Los Angeles in the early 1900s for its sunshine, varied landscapes and distance from East Coast patent disputes. Hollywood became the center of American movie production, and major studios still operate in the region, alongside television, music and video game companies.
A city of neighborhoods
Los Angeles is a patchwork of neighborhoods and separate cities, including Santa Monica, Beverly Hills and Pasadena. Communities such as Koreatown, Little Tokyo, Thai Town and East LA reflect its immigrant history, and more than 200 languages are spoken across LA County.
Freeways and car culture
Los Angeles is famous for its freeways and car culture. The Arroyo Seco Parkway, opened in 1940, was one of the first freeways in the western United States. Traffic is a constant topic of conversation, and the city has been expanding its rail and bus networks.
Beaches and mountains
Few cities combine beaches and mountains so closely. Surfers ride waves in Malibu and Venice while hikers explore trails in the Santa Monica Mountains and Griffith Park, one of the largest urban parks in North America. On clear winter days, snow can be seen on nearby peaks.
Earthquakes and climate
Los Angeles has a Mediterranean climate with dry summers and mild, occasionally rainy winters. It also sits in an active earthquake zone, so buildings follow strict seismic codes and residents keep emergency supplies ready.
Museums and landmarks
Los Angeles has a wide range of museums, from the Getty Center, with its hilltop views and gardens, to the Los Angeles County Museum of Art and the Natural History Museum. Visitors also explore landmarks such as the Santa Monica Pier, Venice Beach's boardwalk and the historic Olvera Street, the oldest part of the city.