The initials of the city, L. A., are often used to refer to Los Angeles. But the city is also known as the City of Angels, because 'Los Angeles' translates to 'the angels' in Spanish. Los Angeles is characterized by its low-rise buildings, in contrast to New York City.
Outside of a few centers such as Downtown, Warner Center, Century City, Koreatown, Miracle Mile, Hollywood and Westwood, skyscrapers and high-rise buildings are not common. The few skyscrapers built outside these areas stand out from the rest of the landscape. Most of the construction is done in separate units, rather than wall to wall. That said, downtown Los Angeles has many buildings with more than 30 floors, with fourteen of more than 50 floors, and two of more than 70 floors, the tallest of which is the Wilshire Grand Center.
In addition, Los Angeles is increasingly becoming a city of apartments rather than single-family homes, especially in the dense neighborhoods of downtown and Westside. The charter of the City of Los Angeles, ratified by voters in 1999, created a system of neighborhood advisory councils that would represent the diversity of stakeholders - those who live, work or own property in the neighborhood. There are around 90 neighborhood councils. Los Angeles Residents Elect Supervisors for First, Second, Third and Fourth Supervisory Districts. In addition to rail service provided by Metrolink and the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority, Los Angeles has Amtrak intercity passenger trains. The city's main train station is Union Station, just north of downtown.
In addition, the city contracts directly for local and commuter bus service through the Los Angeles Department of Transportation (LADOT).As the home of Hollywood and its entertainment industry, numerous singers, actors, celebrities and other artists live in several districts of Los Angeles. The Port of Los Angeles is located in San Pedro Bay in the San Pedro neighborhood - approximately 20 miles (32 km) south of downtown. Many varieties of Judaism are represented in the greater Los Angeles area - including reformist, conservative, orthodox and reconstructionist. Home to the Chumash and Tongva indigenous peoples, the area that became Los Angeles was claimed by Juan Rodríguez Cabrillo for Spain in 1542. The Santa Monica Mountains traverse the city - separating it into the San Fernando Valley to the north and the Los Angeles Basin to the south. Its main village Yaangva flourished on the banks of the Los Angeles River - providing resources such as fish, nutrient-rich land and fresh water before it empties into the Pacific Ocean.
The eastern end of the Santa Monica Mountains extends from the center to the Pacific Ocean - separating the Los Angeles basin from the San Fernando Valley. Los Angeles hosts numerous awards ceremonies each year - including the Academy Awards, Primetime Emmy Awards and Grammy Awards - all recognizing excellence in entertainment industry achievements. Calship built hundreds of Liberty and Victory Ships on Terminal Island - and six leading aircraft manufacturers (Douglas Aircraft Company, Hughes Aircraft, Lockheed, North American Aviation, Northrop Corporation and Vultee) were based in or near Los Angeles. In addition to these attractions within city limits - there are numerous colleges and universities outside them in greater Los Angeles area - including Claremont Colleges consortium which includes some of most selective liberal arts colleges in U. S.Los Angeles also hosted 8 FIFA World Cup soccer games at 1994 Rose Bowl - including final which Brazil won. According to an annual traffic index from navigation system manufacturer TomTom - Los Angeles drivers suffer one of worst rush hour periods in world. The Japanese represent 0.9% population of Los Angeles - with Little Tokyo established in center of city - and another major community located in Sawtelle district of west Los Angeles.
On September 14th 1908 - Los Angeles City Council enacted residential and industrial land use zones.
