|
|
Situated on the West coast, Los Angeles
is a vast sprawling metropolis divided into the San
Fernando and Crescenta
valley’s, the harbour
district, downtown
Los Angeles, South
Los Angeles, North
East Los Angeles and East
Los Angeles – plus Greater
Hollywood, Wilshire
and Westside.
However these areas are merely a generalization, for historically the
city is divided into far more numerous neighbourhoods and districts
to list. The
city of LA, its administration and services, constitute what could
rightly be described as a colossal mega region of urbanisation.
In 1876 the Southern
Pacific railroad was completed. Soon after the discovery of oil
heralded the beginning of California becoming a major contributor to
Americas modern day petroleum industry (which is said to account for
over a quarter of the earths oil related productivity output) This is
truly a vast place, and considering some forecasts suggesting the shale
oil minefields might stretch the entire North South line of the United
Stares, California seems set to lead the way here too. California is
to oil production what Hollywood is to the film industry, of course
another of the states leading activities.
The city has hosted the Olympic games twice. First was in the summer
of 1923,
secondly was in 1984,
so maybe it'll be time again in 2045.
Points of interest
Hollywood
bowl
San
Gabriel Mountains
Mulholland
Drive
Venice
Canal Historic District
Griffith
Observatory
Dodger
Stadium
Hollywood
Boulevard
The
Vincent Thomas Bridge
|
|
Museums
Travel
Town
The
Getty Centre
Museum
of Contemporary Art
The San
Gabriel Mountains and San
Gorgonio Mountain range pretty much surround the city. The Santa
Monica Mountains meet the Pacific Ocean, and separate the LA basin from
the San Fernando Valley. Other high points include the Baldwin Hills.
Long Beach port complex / The
Port of Los Angeles
The fifth busiest port,
Long Beach is an essential hub for traffic on the Pacific Ocean. It
handles nearly a trillion dollars of commerce each year, and is situated
between Seal
beach and San
Pedro. Like everything else in LA it is vast, covering approximately
eighteen square miles wiki.
Long
beach Harbour consists of the Port of Long Beach, and the Port of
Los Angeles, but as well as its commercial activities, recreation also
plays a major role. One of the best tourist attractions is the permanently
moored Queen
Many liner; a great sight across the bay.
|
|
The Queen
Mary was launched in 1934, and for over thirty years is sailed between
England and New York dazzling its passengers in fine opulent style;
only being replaced in 1967 by the QE2.
Rationing had been a way of life for people after the war, and when
introduced to the indulgent American way of life onboard the Queen Mary,
large regular meals and snacks between dining times, it presented travellers
with a broadened perspective on things.
The vessel was equipped with the now familiar swimming pools, gyms, and
cinema. However, back in the forties and fifties to people who had just
closed a chapter on hard times, these sort of luxuries must have been
incredible.
Portside Bridges of interest in
LA
Vincent
Thomas Bridge
Henry
Ford Bridge
Gerald
Desmond Bridge
Schuyler
F. Heim Bridge
Getting around in LA you need a car, and fortunately
the once big smog
issues of the past are no longer quite as bad as they were. Without
a car the next best option is the Los
Angeles Metro Rail system and Subway system, or the well established
bus
routes which are reliable frequent and widespread, (by far the most
used public transport system)
|
|
