Things to do / Travel Guide
Southern California was first settled by Spaniards in the early 16th century. The region's first Catholic missions were established in San Diego and Santa Barbara, from 1769-1782. Los Angeles was established in 1781 as an agricultural mission.
Southern California first stood out on the map in no small part due to the Hollywood film industry, which exploded into existence in 1908, and which continues to thrive. During World War II, the American military brought more jobs and more prosperity to the region placing southern California at the forefront of unprecedented cutting-edge technological advancements. A housing boom followed in the 1950s, as a result of the dramatic burst in population growth. These developments eventually led to the dismantling of public transport and the subsequent rise of the privately-owned automobile, and, of course, the birth of the massive southern California freeway system.
California has, more recently, been led by two very prominent politicians: the “Great Communicator,” former US President Ronald Reagan, and “Governator” Arnold Schwarzenegger.
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