Downtown - L.A.

Los Angeles is the largest city in the state of California and the second largest in the United States, the Los Angeles metropolitan area is home to nearly 12.9 million residents.

Los Angeles was founded September 4, 1781. It became a part of Mexico in 1821, following its independence from Spain. In 1848, at the end of the Mexican-American War, Los Angeles and California were purchased as part of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, thereby becoming part of the United States.

Los Angeles is one of the world's centers of business, international trade, entertainment, culture, media, fashion, science, technology, and education. It is home to renowned institutions covering a broad range of professional and cultural fields, and is one of the most substantial economic engines within the United States. 

As the home base of Hollywood, Los Angeles is known as the "Entertainment Capital of the World", leading the world in the creation of motion pictures, television production and recorded music.  

About 10 minutes away from CalUMS is Disneyland. Disneyland - L.A. holds the distinction of being the only theme park to be designed, built, opened, and operated by Walt Disney himself. Currently the park has been visited by more than 515 million guests since it opened, including presidents, royalty and international students from CalUMS.

Demographics 

As of the 2005-2007 American Community Survey, the city's population was 48.7% White (29.3% non-Hispanic White alone), 9.9% Black or African American, 0.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 10.6% Asian, 0.2% Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander, 27.3% from some other race and 2.8% from two or more races. 48.5% of the total population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

Los Angeles is irregularly shaped and covers a total area of 498.3 square miles (1,291 km²), comprising 469.1 square miles (1,214.9 km²) of land and 29.2 square miles (75.7 km²) of water. The city extends for 44 miles (71 km) longitudinally and for 29 miles (47 km) latitudinally. The perimeter of the city is 342 miles (550 km). It is the only major city in the United States bisected by a mountain range.

The highest point in Los Angeles is Mount Lukens, also called Sister Elsie Peak Located at the far reaches of the northeastern San Fernando Valley, it reaches a height of 5,080 ft (1,548 m). The major river is the Los Angeles River, which begins in the Canoga Park district of the city and is largely seasonal. The river is lined in concrete for almost its entire length as it flows through the city into nearby Vernon on its way to the Pacific Ocean.

Climate

Los Angeles has a Mediterranean climate enjoy plenty of sunshine throughout the year, with an average of 263 sunshine days and only 35 days with measurable precipitation annually.

The period of May through October is warm and dry with average high temperatures of 74 - 84°F (24 - 29°C) and lows of 58 - 66°F (14 - 19°C), however temperatures frequently exceed 90°F (32°C) and occasionally reach 100°F (38°C) in inland areas (away from the moderating effect of the ocean).

The period of November through April is mild and somewhat rainy with average high temperatures of 68 - 73°F (20 - 23°C) and lows of 48 - 53°F (9 - 12°C), but temperatures could occasionally drop to low 40s (~5°C) or be as high as 80°F (26°C) for few days during winter.

Los Angeles averages 15 inches (385 mm) of precipitation annually, which mainly occurs during the winter and spring (November thru April) with generally light rain showers, but sometimes as heavy rainfall and thunderstorms. The coast gets slightly less rainfall, while the mountains get slightly more. Years of average rainfall are rare; the usual pattern is bimodal, with a short string of dry years (perhaps 7-8 inches/175-200 mm) followed by one or two wet years that make up the average. Snowfall is extremely rare in the city basin, but the mountains within city limits slopes typically receive snowfall every winter.