San Diego: America’s Finest City
San Diego is the second largest city in the state of California. It consists of many cities and numerous neighborhoods and communities. It is well-known for its great climate, many beaches, and its wide selection of popular attractions for all ages. These are just a few of the reasons why it is widely known as “America’s Finest City”.
History of San Diego
Originally, the region was first inhabited by the San Dieguito and La Jolla people. In 1542, a European explorer named Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo discovered a new place which he called San Miguel. 60 years later, it was given its current name, San Diego. In 1769, the first Catholic mission, called Mission San Diego de Alcala, was founded and Europeans started settling in. For about 27 years, from 1821 to 1848, San Diego belonged to Mexico. It is because of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo in 1848 that San Diego County became a part of the United States of America. This marked the end of the U.S.-Mexican War.
Geography
San Diego is located 20 miles north of Mexico and 120 miles south of LA. It is within hills and mesas. The city is known for its various terrains. It has gentle foothills, mile-high mountains, and miles of shoreline. It has plenty of untouched territories that provides nature enthusiasts with various venues for hiking, camping, fishing, and more. Its highest peak is Cowles Mountain at 1,591 feet. The temperature varies in different parts of the region. On the coast, it is milder and consistent. In the desert, it can get to 30 degrees. Here, winters are warm while summers are cool.
Map of San Diego
Population
San Diego has about 1.4 million residents, consisting of a diverse population.
- It has 490,219 households
- The female population is at 49.8 percent
- Hispanics make up the majority of the population at 30.3 percent
- 40.8 percent of the population speaks other languages aside from English at home
- By 2050, the population of San Diego is forecasted to reach 1.95 million
Although it is one of the most populous cities in the United States, it is one of the places that tourists like to go to the most. The city features many activities, attractions, not to mention, it has miles of beaches, giving people an opportunity to enjoy the beach life but still be close to the city.
