For most of human history, metropolitan cities such as New York, Los Angeles and Hong Kong seemed unimaginable. Our early ancestors traveled in small groups from one place to another in search of food or a better climate. Only about 12,000 years ago did our ancestors begin establishing permanent settlements, which quickly evolved to small towns and from there grew to be larger cities.

In our world today, the countries and the cities within those countries is what makes up the way of life for everyone. Huge cities are considered landmarks and almost all big cities today present great opportunities for the people who live in them.

The city of Los Angeles is a social prism, offering a variety of occupations and different lifestyles. Residing within the city are a variety of different people from different cultures, sharing their traditions and beliefs.

Founded in 1871 the “City of Angels” has come of age in many respects and emerged as a strong economic center for the United States of America. If Los Angeles were considered to be a completely separate country, it would rank seventh among economic output in the world.

Throughout its history migrants have flocked to Los Angeles for its beautiful weather, sandy beaches and most importantly, the job market. With the discovery of oil in the late 1890’s and Word War II taking place shortly there after, many opportunities in the workforce became available, thus attracting migrants of different races and cultures and creating a melting pot of diversity within the city. The rapid population change due to immigration affected the city greatly.

Today, Los Angeles is a city unlike any other in America or even the world. Its economy is diverse much like its population. From one place to the next its cultural differences are evident in almost every face on the street. Unlike the Soviet Union, where organized religion still flourishes, Los Angeles embraces the many religions of the world offering a myriad of churches, synagogues and temples. Restaurants offer a wide variety of world cuisine with the many different tastes of the world. Public schools in Los Angeles offer instruction in ninety different languages, indicating the diversity of the citizens and their children. Education is considered a highly valuable asset and a very important key to success.

Transforming itself from a predominantly white city to a diverse multi- ethnic metropolis, Los Angeles has come to be one of the nation’s leading cities filled with a variety people striving for personal success.

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