Founded in 1781 by a small group of Mexican settlers, Los Angeles is the second-largest city in the U.S with 3.8 million residents in the city and 10.23 million in the metro area. The beaches of Santa Monica Bay, the mansions of Beverly Hills and the glamour of Hollywood that define the city's image are all clustered in a relatively small section of Los Angeles. The city sits near the center of a mass of more than 80 suburbs, all linked together by a network of more than 600 freeways. The area lacks many natural resources that were crucial to the establishment of other American cities, but many of its top industries -- entertainment, tourism,...

Founded in 1781 by a small group of Mexican settlers, Los Angeles is the second-largest city in the U.S with 3.8 million residents in the city and 10.23 million in the metro area. The beaches of Santa Monica Bay, the mansions of Beverly Hills and the glamour of Hollywood that define the city's image are all clustered in a relatively small section of Los Angeles. The city sits near the center of a mass of more than 80 suburbs, all linked together by a network of more than 600 freeways. The area lacks many natural resources that were crucial to the establishment of other American cities, but many of its top industries -- entertainment, tourism, aerospace and real estate -- thrive here in part because of the sunshine and dry weather. A reputation for social and economic mobility, nearly year-round sunshine, a casual lifestyle and a shot at Hollywood fame continue to draw residents to Los Angeles.