Anaheim : California

History

Contrary to popular notion, Anaheim is not a suburb of Los Angeles, but rather is the largest and wealthiest (with more than $1 billion in assets) of the 34 cities that comprise Orange County, and one of the fastest growing cities in California. A major entertainment mecca, Anaheim is one of the top convention sites and vacation destinations in the United States, with nearly 20,000 hotel rooms. Major attractions in or near Anaheim range from Disneyland, Knott's Berry Farm, and the Movieland Wax Museum to Medieval Times, San Juan Capistrano Mission, and the Anaheim Convention Center, the centerpiece of the city. In 2001, Anaheim completed a transformation of epic proportions, with a $5 billion renovation of its resort areas. In 2004 Orange County, which has more than 42 miles of coastline and beaches and is comprised of the well-known towns Huntington Beach, Newport Beach, and Laguna Beach, had 43.6 million visitors.

The community was named for "Ana" from the Santa Ana River and "heim," German for home. The community is in the Pacific Standard time zone.

Geography & Climate

Anaheim is located approximately 27 miles south of downtown Los Angeles, 31 miles southeast of the Los Angeles International Airport, and 13 miles from the Pacific coast. The Santa Ana Mountains lie to Anaheim's east. Industrial and commercial areas along with a majority of the residential sections are relatively flat. The newer residential areas are in rolling terrain in the foothills of the Santa Ana Mountains. Anaheim's average temperature is 70 degrees. Summers are moderate to hot with cool evenings, and winters are mild with very little rain. In fact, there are only 38 days each year with even a one one-hundredth inch sprinkle.

Area: 48.9 square miles (2000)

Elevation: 137 feet above sea level

Latitude: 33.84 N,

Longitude: 117.89 W

Average Temperatures: January, 57.0° F; July, 74.0° F; annual average, 70.0° F

Average Annual Precipitation: 11.0 inches

Population: 331,804 (as on July 2005)

Anaheim attractions: Disneyland, Disney's California Adventure