San Diego is major city in California, United States. San Diego is California’s second largest city and the United States’ eighth largest. The city is known for its mild year-round climate, natural deep-water harbor, and extensive beaches. San Diego has been called “the birthplace of California”.
LOCATION
San Diego is on the coast of the Pacific Ocean in Southern California, approximately 120 miles (190 km) south of Los Angeles and immediately adjacent to the border with Mexico. San Diego was originally centered on the Old Town district, but by the late 1860s the focus had shifted to the Bayfront, in the belief that this new location would increase trade.
HISTORY
It was the first site visited by Europeans. Upon landing in San Diego Bay in 1542, Cabrillo claimed the area for Spain. The Presidio and Mission San Diego de Alcalá, founded in 1769, formed the first European settlement in what is now California. In 1821, San Diego became part of the newly independent Mexico. California became part of the United States in 1848 following the Mexican–American War and was admitted to the union as a state in 1850.
POPULATION
In population, San Diego is the eighth-largest city in the United States and second-largest in California. 68% of the population of the city identified themselves as Christians, and 32% professing Roman Catholic beliefs. While 27% claim no religious affiliation. Other religions including Judaism, Buddhism, Islam, and Hinduism collectively make up about 5% of the population.
EDUCATION
The city as the ninth-most educated city in the United States. Public colleges and universities in the city include San Diego State University (SDSU), University of California, San Diego (UCSD), and the San Diego Community College District, which includes San Diego City College, San Diego Mesa College, and San Diego Miramar College.
CLIMATE
San Diego has one of the top-ten best climates and has one of the two best summer climates in USA. San Diego’s climate is characterized by warm, dry summers and mild winters. The city has a mild climate year-round, with an average of 201 days above 21 °C and low rainfall. The climate in San Diego, like most of Southern California, often varies significantly over short geographical distances. San Diego averages January lows of 10 °C and August highs of 26 °C.
GOVERNMENT
The city is governed by a mayor and a nine-member city council. Its government System is strong mayor government. The mayor is in effect the chief executive officer of the city, while the council is the legislative body. The mayor and city attorney are elected directly by the voters of the entire city. The mayor, city attorney, and council members are elected to four-year terms.
ARCHITECTURE
El Cortez Hotel built in 1927 was the first tallest building in the city from 1927 to 1963. As time went on, multiple buildings claimed the title of San Diego’s tallest skyscraper, including the Union Bank of California Building and Symphony Towers. Currently the tallest building in San Diego is One America Plaza, standing 500 feet (150 m) tall, which was completed in 1991.
ECONOMY
San Diego’s main economic engines are military and defense-related activities, tourism, international trade, and manufacturing. The presence of the University of California, San Diego (UCSD), with the affiliated UCSD Medical Center, has helped make the area a center of research in biotechnology. The economy of San Diego is influenced by its Deepwater port, which includes the only major submarine and shipbuilding yards on the West Coast.
MILITARY
San Diego hosts the largest naval fleet in the world. About 5 percent of all civilian jobs in the county are military-related, and 15,000 businesses in San Diego County rely on Department of Defense contracts. Military bases in San Diego include US Navy facilities, Marine Corps bases, and Coast Guard stations. The city is “home to the majority of the U.S. Pacific Fleet’s surface combatants.
TOURISM
Tourism is a major industry owing to the city’s climate, beaches, and tourist attractions such as Balboa Park, Belmont amusement park, San Diego Zoo, San Diego Zoo Safari Park, and SeaWorld San Diego. San Diego’s Spanish and Mexican heritage is reflected in many historic sites across the city, such as Mission San Diego de Alcala and Old Town San Diego State Historic Park. Also, the local craft brewing industry attracts an increasing number of visitors. San Diego has been called “America’s Craft Beer Capital.