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Los Angeles

Los Angeles is a major city in Southern California and the most populous city in California.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Los Angeles is a major city in Southern California and the most populous city in California. It is the second-most populous city in the United States and a major centre for entertainment, business, media, and culture.

History

Los Angeles was founded in 1781 and incorporated as a city in 1850. Its growth was shaped by its port, transportation links, agriculture, oil, and the rise of the film industry.

Geography

The city lies in Southern California on a coastal plain between mountains and the Pacific Ocean. Its large municipal area and surrounding suburbs form part of the broader Greater Los Angeles region.

Population and diversity

Los Angeles is one of the most diverse large cities in the United States. Its population includes substantial Hispanic/Latino, Asian, Black, and White communities, and the wider region is even larger and more populous.

Economy and culture

Los Angeles is a major centre for entertainment, media, trade, tourism, and education. Hollywood and related industries have made the city internationally known.

Key facts

  • Los Angeles is the largest city in California and the second-largest city in the United States by population.
  • It is the county seat of Los Angeles County and the core city of Greater Los Angeles.
  • The city is widely associated with the entertainment industry, especially film, television, and recorded music.
  • Los Angeles had 3,898,747 residents in the 2020 U.S. census.
  • Greater Los Angeles is one of the largest metropolitan regions in the United States.
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Canadian context

Los Angeles is a major destination for Canadian tourism, business, entertainment, and migration, and it has long-standing cultural and economic ties with Canada through film, television, trade, and travel.

Frequently asked questions

What is Los Angeles best known for?
Los Angeles is best known for the entertainment industry, including film, television, and music, as well as Hollywood and its cultural diversity.
Is Los Angeles the largest city in California?
Yes. Los Angeles is the largest city in California by population.
Is Los Angeles the second-largest city in the United States?
Yes. By population, Los Angeles is the second-largest city in the United States after New York City.
When was Los Angeles founded?
Los Angeles was founded in 1781 and incorporated in 1850.
What is Greater Los Angeles?
Greater Los Angeles is the large metropolitan region centred on Los Angeles and extending across multiple Southern California counties.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Los_Angeles
    Supports: Population, city status, metropolitan context, and broad city overview.
  2. Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/place/Los-Angeles-California
    Supports: City location, status, area, and population figures.
  3. City of Los Angeles / Griffith Observatory — https://griffithobservatory.lacity.gov/about/city-of-los-angeles/
    Supports: City identity, diversity, Olympics hosting, and cultural significance.
  4. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greater_Los_Angeles
    Supports: Definition and population of Greater Los Angeles.