Los Angeles is a coastal metropolis framed by mountains, canyons, and more than seventy miles of shoreline, known for sunshine, sea breezes, and remarkable geographic variety. Founded in 1781 as a small Spanish pueblo along the Los Angeles River, the city grew through ranching and agriculture in the nineteenth century, then accelerated in the early twentieth century with new water projects, the rise of motion pictures, and expanding rail and roadway links. Aerospace, trade, design, and technology followed, building a diversified economy that today ranks among the largest metropolitan economies in the world. Positioned on the Pacific Rim, Los Angeles connects North America to global markets through one of the busiest seaports and one of the busiest airports in the United States, making it a true gateway city for commerce, culture, and tourism.