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Angelenos come from 140 countries and speak 96 different languages. This diversity dates back to the first settlers, who came to the area in 1781. The adventurous group of 44 came from the Mexican provinces of Sonora and Sinaloa and included Indians, blacks, mestizos, and Spaniards. Olvera Street marks the settlers' home and is the center of Los Angeles' Mexican-American heritage. The cultural diversity that is a long-standing tradition in Los Angeles has left its indelible mark on the city: A lively arts community features performance installations, graffiti art, and cultural commentary, and the entire city joins in cultural celebrations such as Cinco de Mayo and Chinese New Year.
This diversity, however, has caused Los Angeles its share of growing pains. As the 20th century wound down legal battles about bilingual education and bilingual street signs heated up ballots and courtrooms, and the city has yet to recover from the riots following the 1992 acquittal of the police officers accused of beating Rodney King. Since that time, the city has made large strides toward healing, prompted by disasters that served to unite neighbors, such as the 1994 Northridge earthquake and the 1996 Malibu wildfires.
The sprawling metropolis of Los Angeles is impossible to classify. The Los Angeles area, which includes the entire county and surrounding areas, is populated by 16.3 million residents and is bounded to the north and south by bedroom communities that creep toward Santa Barbara and San Diego. To the west, a series of sleepy beach towns dapple the coast. To the east, movie studio lots and million-dollar homes reach toward the foothills.
Main Attractions of Los Angeles (California)
Autry Museum of Western Heritage, Biofeedback Institute of Los Angeles, Bishop Airport, Brackett Field Airport, Catalina Airport, Del Mano Gallery, Drum Barracks Civil War Museumm, El Monte Airport, Exposition Park, Heritage Square Museum, Independence Airport, Los Angeles City College, Los Angeles Maritime Museum, Los Angeles Zoo, Travel Town Museum, Whiteman Airport.
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