Los Angeles County is one of the nation's
largest counties. It contains 4,084 square miles and is larger than the
combined area of the states of Delaware and Rhode Island. It also has the
largest population (well over 10 million) of any county in the nation,
exceeded by only eight states. Approximately 28 percent of Californians live
in Los Angeles County.Los
Angeles County includes the islands of Santa Catalina and San Clemente, and
is bordered on the east by Orange and San Bernardino Counties, on the north
by Kern County and on the west by Ventura County. To the south and west the
Pacific Ocean shines with a thriving Los Angeles Port of Los Angeles in San
Pedro and 75 miles of Los Angeles County coastline that runs through cities
and communities such as Long Beach, San Pedro, Wilmington, Torrance, Redondo
Beach, Manhattan Beach Hermosa Beach, El Segundo, Playa del Rey, Marina del
Rey, Venice, Santa Monica and Malibu.
Established on February 18, 1850, the
county is now over eight times as large as its original size. Running such a
huge county is formidable task. It is accomplished through a governing body,
Board of Supervisors comprised of five supervisors elected to four-year
terms by voters within districts.
While there are 88 cities within the
County, more than 65 percent of it is unincorporated. The lowest point in
Los Angeles County is 9 feet below sea level at Wilmington. The highest
point is 10,080 feet above sea level atop Mt. San Antonio. Ethnic Makeup
includes a majority Hispanic population at 44.6%. White 31.1%;
Asian 12.3% and Black 9.7%.
Among Los Angeles County's assets are its beaches, movie industry, recording
industry, financial centers, higher education system, professional sports
teams and venues, shopping, cultural diversity, freeway system, airport
system, geographic diversity that includes beaches and mountains, and
spectacular weather. An annual tradition is the Rose Parade in Pasadena. As
millions of people watch worldwide, Angelinos strut down the parade
route, typically in lightweight clothing, reflecting the often sunny skies
and 70 degree temperatures in the cold of an L.A. winter.
Visitors from around the world find
Los Angeles County a "must see" on vacations. With its fantastic weather and
Hollywood celebrity allure, tourists come to the beaches and Hollywood,
first. They also visit Disneyland to the south in neighboring Orange County
and San Francisco to the north.
Museums and art, theater and concerts
are available every day of the year in Los Angeles County. There's an
incredible wealth of talent to access for those who seek entertainment. The
County oversees world-class facilities: Music Center (Walt Disney Concert
Hall, Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, Mark Taper Forum, Ahmanson Theatre); Museum
of Art; Museum of Natural History, (including the Page Museum at the La Bea
Tar Pits and the William S. Hart Museum); Hollywood Bowl; John Anson Ford
Theatre. Private facilities include more than 300 museums.
In addition, there are mountains to
climb, oceans to conquer and sports opportunities that attract some of the
world's finest athletes. Eight professional sports teams include: Baseball —
Dodgers; Basketball — Lakers, Clippers, Sparks; Football — Avengers; Soccer
— Galaxy, Chivas USA; Hockey — Kings; Horse Racing: Hollywood Park, Santa
Anita Park, Pomona Fairplex Park. Car Racing: Irwindale Speedway Pomona
Raceway, Los Angeles County Raceway, Long Beach Grand Prix, NHRA
Winternationals. Rose Bowl, Staples Center, Coliseum, Sports Arena, Home
Depot Center, Dodger Stadium.
If you give yourself a couple days in
Los Angeles County, it's possible to see a few highlights. A flight into LAX
(Los Angeles International Airport) or a trip on an Amtrak train will get
you to Los Angeles County to begin your journey in the land of opportunity.
Welcome to L.A. County!
as they were on their way to
Southern California by train. It was played and sung for the first time by
the cast of "Sing-Out '65" at a meeting of the Board of Supervisors on Sept.
14, 1965.
The Board members "were so impressed by the song," according to then-Board
Clerk Gordon T. Nesvig, that they unanimously adopted a motion by Supervisor
Warren M. Dorn to declare it the County's official song.
Since the adoption of the official song, the County has grown from 76 cities
to 88 cities and the population has increased from seven million to more
than 10 million.
Seventy-Six Cities
Official Los Angeles County Song
by Steve and Paul Cowell
God made the world and then He looked around
To find Him a county and this is what He found.
A land of sea and mountain and desert wilderness.
And he made an earthly paradise He called Los Angeles
Refrain:
Seventy-six cities. Plenty room for more.
Seven million people. Open is the door.
Angels we are none, but Angelinos nonetheless.
For we come from the county they call Los Angeles.
It grew and grew and grew and grew and grew and grew and grew and grew.
The oranges did blossom and the mighty aircraft flew.
If its growth continues in this most astounding way
New York City soon will be a suburb of L.A.!
Your seventy-six cities, seventy-six mayors
Seven million people, seven million cares.
Well it could be Los Angeles that shows humanity
How to live and work together like a family.
Whether it's an earthquake, a fire, or a flood
Angelinos rise above it with that spirit in their blood.
This world that's torn asunder with prehistoric hate
Needs the County of the Angels to bring it up to date.
