Los Angeles is one of the most lively cities in the United States, and it attracts millions of visitors each year. It has a diverse economic engine where various cultures and professions flourish. If you’re currently in the city or are thinking of visiting, here are some exciting facts about Los Angeles you should know.
Safe Haven for the Film Industry
Los Angeles wasn’t always the film hub that it is today. Independent film producers fled the east coast to escape the monopoly of Thomas Edison’s patents over his inventions like the phonograph and kinetograph (the first video camera). They found a haven in Los Angeles, located in the west. This changed Hollywood from the agricultural community it was initially intended to be into today’s world-class entertainment and film centre.
The original owners of Hollywood – Harvey and Daeida Wilcox, bought over 100 acres of Los Angeles lands in 1886 for farming. But they turned to real estate after their farming plans faltered and sold off large portions of their land, changing Los Angeles’s history forever.
The ‘Hollywood’ Sign
The Hollywood landmark in Los Angeles is an iconic tourist attraction originally built-in 1923. It read ‘Hollywoodland’ back then to advertise a local housing development. The ‘land’ portion of the sign was later taken down in 1949 to read ‘Hollywood.’
Advanced Healthcare
Los Angeles healthcare system is top-notch, and the city houses some of the best hospitals in the United States. The city is also home to various elite cosmetic surgeons. No wonder several visitors come in for aesthetic treatments yearly. There is also quality IOP in Los Angeles for mental health, addiction, and trauma-related issues.
Several Miles of Hidden Tunnels
Los Angeles has up to 11 miles of hidden tunnel networks running under the city. The history behind them is pretty remarkable. For instance, some of them were used to transport prisoners, traffic liquor, and illegal money. Some of the tunnels are blocked off, but others are still accessible. So, if you plan on visiting any, consider going with a tour guide.
The World’s Only Solar-powered Ferris Wheel
Santa Monica, a city situated in western Los Angeles, has the world’s first and only Ferris wheel powered by solar energy. It is a famous attraction for millions of visitors each year who also enjoy oceanfront dining, seaside shopping, midway games, and a dozen other rides. So, the Santa Monica pier is definitely a gem to visit in Los Angeles.
Big Wild Cats Live Within The City
One other exciting fact about Los Angeles is that mountain lions and pumas still roam freely despite its dense population. In fact, it is one of the only two megacities globally that have big wild cats with steady reproduction and healthy survival rates within its boundaries. This is proof that Los Angeles has quality open space that supports the easy movement of wild animals between patches of habitat.
Breath-taking Museums and Theaters
There are a bunch of world-class museums in Los Angeles that offer a wide variety of views like sculpture gardens, sunny courtyards, and outdoor campuses. The Getty Villa is one such museum with stunning antiques that date as far back as 6,500 BC. and allows free admission. One exciting fact is that Getty uses goats yearly for its landscaping to prevent wildfires. They graze on plants that would otherwise serve as fuel for such fires. Also, Los Angeles has over 200 theatres worth visiting that host more than 1,500 productions each year.
The Official Tree and Flower
Los Angeles’ official tree is the Erythrina caffra, also known as the coral tree. Contrary to many beliefs, this tree is not native to Los Angeles but was transplanted into the region from Southeastern Africa. They beautify Los Angeles’ streets and are a sight to behold. The bird of paradise (Strelitzia reginae) is the official flower of Los Angeles and was also transplanted from Africa.
The World’s Most Diverse Buddhist Population
Los Angeles has over 180 Buddhist centres and is home to over 91,000 Buddhist adherents with the most diverse sects in the world. This unique fact can be attributed to the immigration of Japanese immigrants as far back as the early 20th century.
The Birthplace of The Internet
Los Angeles prides itself as the birthplace of the internet we know today. The first internet message was transmitted from UCLA (the University of California, Los Angeles) on October 29, 1969. Although the original message to be sent to another computer in Menlo Park was ‘login,’ only ‘lo’ went through before the system crashed. Nevertheless, that part of history remains valid and essential.