HUMAN AND ECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA What are they?

THE ECONOMY Very diversified 11th largest in the world (similar to Mexico and India) Los Angeles County would rank 16th between Australia and Russia

MANY ‘OLD’ INDUSTRIES Many ports and harbors for the shipping industry such as San Pedro and Long Beach

Alameda Corridor South Los Angeles County Production of foods, textiles, toys, & financial services 1960’s development of light industries in the City of Commerce

NEWER INDUSTRIES- HIGH TECH AND SERVICES Along 405 fwy corridor Media industries

Military industrial complex Many aircraft industries McDonnell Douglas, Hughes Aircraft, Northrop

Many military bases & related employment Camp Pendleton Marine Corps El Toro Naval Air Station Los Alamitos Vandenberg Airforce San Diego US Pacific Fleet

POLITICAL CULTURE Traditionally more conservative than northern California Coastal areas are generally more liberal than inland areas Some counties are traditionally more liberal (Los Angeles) while others are more conservative (0range)

Other factors which influence the political culture With more of an ethnic mix the area becomes more liberal With more Anglos, the area is more conservative, except those with “Hollywood values”

TOURISM- one of the major service industries Amusement parks (Disneyland, Sea World, etc.) Beaches Cruise companies Nature (mountains, deserts, sea, skiing, camping) Gardens (Descanso, Balboa, etc)

And the list goes on…….. History- Spanish missions Entertainment- restaurants, nightclubs, shows Culture- theater, concerts, museums

POPULATION One of the most diverse populations in the country Everyone is a minority High amount of immigrants LAX (the “Ellis Island of the 21st century”) Growth of Pacific immigration (Hispanics & Asians)

URBANIZATION AND SUBURBANIZATION High population density along coastal ‘stroke’ Constrasting urban densities – very few people in mountains and deserts Increased urbanization in desert areas closest to mountains and urban areas – those with “canyon connections”

Urban sprawl Little vertical growth, more horizontal growth due to expansion of freeways More suburbanization rather than urbanization Development of edge cities