The Inland Empire Metropolitan Area, formaly known as the Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario Metropoitan Area, is the second most populous metropolitan area in Southern California, and 14th most populas in the United States with a popuation exceeding 4 milion inhabitants. The Inland Empire (simply I.E.) contains San Bernardino County, the largest county in the United states in terms of land, and Riverside County, know for its popular desert resorts ike Palm Springs and Indio. The I.E. centers around the cities of Riverside and San Bernardino.
The San Diego Metropolitan Area is the largest (most populous) metro area of the Southern Border and the third largest metropolitan area in Southern California. The San Diego Metro is known as the SD Metro as the San Diego-Carlsbad-San Marcos Metropolitan Statistical Area, encompassing all of San Diego County by the U.S. Census Bureau. The metropolitan area is bordered by Orange County to the north, Mexico to the south, Imperial County to the east, and the Pacific Ocean to the west. The San Diego metro contains beaches, mountains, resorts, amusement parks, wildlife parks, zoos, and museums. The most famous being the San Diego Zoo, one of the largest in the world.
Los Angeles is the largest city in the State of California and the second largest city in the USA after New York. The city is the center of the Los Angeles Metropolitan Area as well as being a major world city. Los Angeles (simply L.A.) has an estimated population of 3.8 million and spans over 498.3 square miles (1,290.6 km2) in Southern California. The city is one of the most diverse in the country and features many famous landmarks such as the Hollywood Sign, Walt Disney Concert Hall, as well as hosting many awards for film and motion pictures such as the Oscars. Los Angeles is the traditional focal point of Southern California due to its beach city atmosphere, tourist destinations and lead in the world entertainment industry.
Riverside is the most populous city in the Inland Empire, a region east of the coastal metropolitan cities. Riverside is the county seat of Riverside County, and is named for its location beside the Santa Ana River. Riverside is the birthplace of the California citrus industry. Attractions in the area include Riverside Metropolitan Museum, which houses exhibits and artifacts of local history, the California Museum of Photography and the California Citrus State Historic Park. The Parent Washington Navel Orange Tree, planted in 1873 (one of two original orange trees in California), and the historic Mission Inn are landmarks in the city.
