The City of the Angels: famously known as the country’s hub for television, entertainment, and movies. However, there’s more to LA than just its stars, amazing beaches, dreadful traffic, and wonderful weather. As much as you think you know about this city, there are many interesting facts about it that you most likely don’t know.

Located in the Pacific coast in the southern portion of the state, Los Angeles (LA) is the largest city in California. The hot year-round climate is great for outdoor recreation and sports, such as swimming, surfing, golfing, hiking, and several other activities. LA is a city with lovely beaches, mountain and desert landscapes,  contrasted by the rowdiness of its streets and highways.

Famous for Hollywood and the movie business, LA can be a hub for global business, fashion, and culture with its museums, theaters, concert halls, and live theatres. Angelenos, what we call the people of LA, include a huge array of cultures and customs; including large communities of Armenians, Chinese, Iranians, Japanese, Koreans, Mexicans, Russians, Thais, and other cultural groups. LA can be a starting point for sightseeing and trips to San Diego, Santa Barbara, Las Vegas, and the Grand Canyon.

Some Facts About Los Angeles:

1. Los Angeles was initially called “El Pueblo de Nuestra Señora la Reina de Los Angeles del Río de Porciuncula” by the very first settlers, that translates into “The city of the Lady Queen of the Angels of the Porciuncula River.” Doesn’t really roll off the tongue like “Los Angeles” or “LA,” does it.

2. You will find more cars than there are individuals. No wonder it’s not possible to find parking.

3. LAX is the second biggest airport in the U.S. Thus that is why your car is constantly stuck in traffic as there is always a big influx of people going in and out of the city.

4. The legendary Hollywood sign actually said “Hollywoodland” from 1923-1949. It was initially constructed as an illuminated ad to get people to move into the upscale area.

5. Bougie Beverly Hills was initially a lima bean ranch.

6. The Getty Museum hires goats throughout the spring to keep their groundswell preserved.

7. The movie business ended in up Los Angeles because of a hilarious motive, to get from Thomas Edison. Since New Jersey resident Edison had the vast majority of the nation’s movie patents, anybody who wished to get into the film business went west to prevent Edison from finding out and getting them with his intellectual property. That’s quite literally the sole reason why the films are created out there but the weather is not bad, either.

8. LA beats San Francisco with this particular one: Eldred Street at Highland Park is the steepest road in California, with a 33% altitude level.

9. You will find hidden tunnels beneath Los Angeles. They operate out of Spring and Temple roads into 1st Street and Grand Avenue, and also have been utilized to transport prisoners, money, and also, throughout to Prohibition Era, alcohol to underground speakeasies. Post earthquakes and 9/11, nearly all of them are closed, however, rumor has it several openings still exist in some specific locations.

10. L.A. was originally supposed to have an extremely long name. Los Angeles was set up by 44 settlers called “Los Pobladores” on September 4, 1781. Its original title was “El Pueblo de Nuestra Señora la Reina de Los Ángeles del Río de Porciúncula,” that translated into “The Town of Our Lady the Queen of the Angels of the Porciúncula River” in English.

11. L.A. includes 7 intriguing nicknames: (1) City of Angels, (2) Angeltown, (3) Lalaland, (4) Tinseltown, (5) The Large Orange, (6) City of Flowers and Sunshine, and of course (7) L.A.

12. Hollywood became the capital of the film industry Due to Thomas Edison.  – Curious about why Hollywood is a prominent city for  both business and celebrities.  It is all because of Thomas Edison! In the early 1900s, Thomas Edison and his Motion Picture Patents Company held almost all of the countries film-making patents in New Jersey.  As a result, filmmakers started moving out into the west to escape Edison’s patents. That rationale, along with the favorable bright and warm climate (who can complain about L.A’s weather after all) quickly made L.A, particularly Hollywood, the capital of the film industry.

13. L.A. is currently home to people from over 140 countries speaking over 200 distinct languages.

14. LAX has been rated as the 6th busiest airport in the world. Los Angeles International Airport, also called LAX, is rated as the 6th busiest airport in the world in 2013 by the Airports Council International, with over 63 million passengers.

15. The California Science Center is currently home to the Space Shuttle Endeavour. Now You Can see the Space Shuttle Endeavour at the California Science Center! It is located in the Samuel Oschin Pavilion, along with videos and exhibits that contain the Endeavour’s story. I went for the very first time with my buddies last summer and trust me, it is well worth going! Do not forget to check out other cool attractions nearby like the Natural History Museum, California African American Museum, Exposition Park Rose Garden and the Coliseum while you are in the area!