Comparison of New York City and Los Angeles

Introduction 

Both New York and Los Angeles are some of the biggest cities in the US, each being home to millions of people. They are both based on the coast, although on opposite sides of the country, and are metropolitan locations with people from a wide range of nationalities. An exciting aspect of these cities is that they are very busy since they are considered the hub of many creative and business activities. Because of their diversity, both these cities are considered as the ‘home of dream’ since many people flock to them to pursue their dreams and gain fame. The following work will compare New York City and Los Angeles on aspects of location, place, human interactions, religion and movements.

Location 

New York is located in Northeastern, US. The city is mainly divided into five boroughs, Bronx, Staten Island, Queens, Brooklyn, and Manhattan. NYC started as a port town since it is located where the Hudson River empties into the Atlantic Ocean. For several centuries, it has been referred to as the gateway of North America because of its strategic location. The entire city is approximately ten meters above sea level. New York covers 783.8 km 2 (Barnett, 2018). 

Figure 1: Map showing New York 

Map of New York [Digital Image]. (1898).

Figure 2: Map showing Los Angeles

Los Angeles County Map [Digital Image]. (2019).

Los Angeles is located in Southwestern US; it is the biggest city in California. The city borders the Pacific Ocean. Given its location by the ocean, Los Angeles is 87 meters above sea level. In total, it covers 1302 km 2 .

Place 

The place can be analyzed in two ways. One is by the physical characteristics of the area. NYC has various physical features, which include coastal lowlands, rivers, lakes, and mountains. A significant part of the city is on three islands, Long Island, Staten Island, and Manhattan Island. There are also smaller islands, over thirty, that make up the city. Some of the mountains in NYC include Mount Marcy, Adirondack Mountains, Appalachian, and Allegheny. The highest point in the city is Mount Marcy at 5,344 feet. Various major rivers pass through the city, and these include the Genesee River, Mohawk River, and the Hudson River. Some lakes present within NYC include Lake George, Lake Champlain, and Lake Erie. Generally, NYC is flat, but there are some parts that are hilly.

Los Angeles has a more diverse physical landscape that comprises a flat coastal area and a series of mountain ranges and inland valleys. There are also deserts, canyons, and lakes within the city. The city itself is built two mountain ranges. Mountain ranges in the city include the San Gabriel Mountains that extend for 68 miles. The most elevated point of Los Angeles is on the islands at 10,068 feet (DeVerteuil, 2015) . The climatic conditions of Los Angeles are influenced by the moist air from the Pacific, which results in sunny weather for a significant part of the year.  

Figure 3: The San Gabriel Mountains in Los Angeles

San Gabriel Mountain [Digital Ranges]. (2014).

Second is by the cultural and human characteristics of the place. Some elements of the human and cultural features include language, politics, urbanization, population density, employment, and religion. 

Population 

NYC has a population of 8.5 million, compared to Los Angeles that has a population of 4.04. The population density of Los Angeles is 3198 people/km2, while NYC has a significantly higher density at 10194 people/km2. The median age of the population in Los Angeles is 34.2 years, compared to NYC, with a median population of 35.5 years. In both of these cities, the female population is slightly higher than the male population. In Los Angeles, the population consists of 50.2% females, and in NYC, it is 52.52%.

Birth rate 

In Los Angeles, the average birth rate is 56.6 births per 1000 women. In NYC, the birth rate is slightly higher, at 57.6 births per 100 women. 

GDP 

The GDP for Los Angeles is $789.7 billion, while the GDP for NYC is $2.5 trillion. 

Death rate 

In NYC, the average death rate per 100,000 people was  184.9 deaths . In Los Angeles, the death rate is higher at 581 deaths per 100,000 individuals. 

Language 

English is the primary language that is spoken in both of these cities, although there are tens of other languages that are spoken by the diverse mix of residents.

Employment 

The unemployment rate in Los Angeles is 8.7%, while in NYC, it is 4.3%. It means that NYC has more economic and career growth opportunities compared to Los Angeles. 

Religion 

There are various religious groups in Los Angeles. The largest are Roman Catholics and Jews. However, there are also believers in Hinduism, Buddhism, and Islam. In California, protestants form the majority of the population, followed by Catholics. Based on the cosmopolitan nature in both these cities, diverse religious beliefs are tolerated, and everyone can practice their religion with minimal intrusion. It is important to note that there is a large segment of the population that is not affiliated with any religious group. 

Politics 

Both Los Angeles and New York are predominantly Democratic cities. 

Human-environment interaction 

The theme focuses on how individuals interact with their environment. Some of the factors analyze include how people depend on their environment, adapt to it, and modify it to suit their needs. It basically involves analyzing how humans co-exist with the environment. 

  There are over 10 miles of tunnels under LA that were built during the prohibition era. These tunnels extended from Temple and Spring to downtown LA and were used to transport contraband. However, these structures are no longer in use. Since LA is located in a coastal region, the area was prone to floods when it rained in the surrounding mountain ranges. As a result , various dams  have been constructed to harvest the water and control the flooding. Some of the dams that are located in LA include the Big Tujunga Creek, Bouquet Canyon dam, Castaic dam, Elderberry Forebay dam, Hansen dam, and Mulholland Dam.

Similarly, NYC also has dams that serve various functions that include providing hydroelectricity and controlling floods since the city is located in a lowland.  Dams in NYC  also act as a water reservoir, which is used to supply the city with water. An example is the Cornell Dam that is on the Croton River. 

The construction style of houses in LA is more horizontal, unlike in NYC, where it is vertical. The environment has contributed to this building trend since LA is known for its high winds and earthquakes. Both of these factors pose a real danger to highrise buildings and can lead to damage to property and loss of life. As a result, many architects prefer shorter, more stable structures that can withstand these environmental challenges. On the other hand, NYC is located next to the Atlantic Ocean, which is less prone to experience earthquakes and high winds that can lead to hurricanes. It is, therefore, possible for tall buildings to be constructed since they are safe and are less likely to be damaged by environmental elements. 

Figure 4: New York City Skyline

Cenicola, Tony (Photographer) (2019) New York City Skyline [Photograph],

Movement 

The theme refers to how people and commodities move within the city. It includes the modes of transportation that are available and the communication networks. There are multiple means of transport in both NYC and Los Angeles. These include taxis, buses, subways, and air transport. The good thing about the mass transit systems, especially the subway, in these cities is that they are efficient and always on time. 

However, the roads can be a bit congested because of the high number of commuters, despite the fact that Los Angeles has 27 highways. Los Angeles has two airports, while NYC has three. Movement in NYC is easier than movement in Los Angeles, where the average commuting time is longer. According to the commuter pain index that analyzes ease of movement based on various transport-related issues, the index in Los Angeles is 34, compared to NYC, whereby it is 28. NYC also has a bike-sharing system, unlike Los Angeles. 

Figure 5: New York Subway Train

R143 Subway Cars [Digital Image].

Additionally, both of these cities are well served with various ride-sharing apps like Uber and Lyft. All of these have contributed to making movement safer, more comfortable, and also affordable. 

Both of these cities are located on the coast and have active ports that handle many containers and provide a critical link between these cities and other parts of the world. 

Movement of information is relatively easy in NYC and Los Angeles. Both cities are served with numerous media outlets, online and offline. Some of the popular newspapers in these cities include the New York Times and Los Angeles Times. However, the readership of printed copies of newspapers has reduced considerably in both towns as people prefer online platforms. Leading media outlets that are found in these cities include NBC, FOX, and CBS. Other newspapers that can be found in LA include the LA Daily News and the LA Register. 

In the last decade, more people are getting news and information from online sources, and one of the factors that have contributed to this is the presence of cheap and reliable internet connections in these cities. The telephone connections are also excellent, with several companies in both cities offering affordable packages that include both voice and data services. In case one needs to send a postcard, the mailing systems in both cities are still operational, although its usage has reduced considerably in the last two decades. 

Migration 

NYC attracts both internal and external migration. External migration is from immigrants from other countries. Internal migration is from other US citizens who are moving to MYC to seek better opportunities. NYC is the financial hub of the US, with hundreds of leading companies globally with their headquarters in the city and thousands of factories located within the state. As a result, these present numerous opportunities for people looking for both formal and informal employment. 

The rate of migration into LA was higher in the 1980s, but this has declined in the last few years,  leading to a shrink  in the population. More people are moving to nearby counties that offer more employment opportunities and affordable housing. The growth of the entertainment sector in LA resulted in an increase in prices of commodities and housing, making it expensive for new immigrants. Based on these realities, people are opting to leave the city. 

Globalization 

  Both of these cities are highly globalized. The presence of Hollywood in LA attracts a wide variety of people and has contributed significantly to the connection between the city and the rest of the world. On the other hand, commerce has created deep connections between New York and the rest of the world, which has fast-tracked globalization of the city. 

Region 

New York is often referred to as the ‘culture capital’ because of its diverse population. The city presents opportunities for everyone, and this has resulted in an influx of people. A testimony of the diversity of New York is the vibrant dance, music, literature, and theater scenes. It is also able to get cuisines from all parts of the world within the city. Important cultural symbols include the Metropolitan Opera House and the New York State Theater. Broadway plays, which are highly popular, are also staged in NYC and draw in thousands of viewers (Benedict, 2019) . Some of the most iconic museums are in New York, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and the Brooklyn Museum. Central Park is also used to hold numerous festivals and cultural events, with over a thousand events held annually. Examples of the parades in NYC include the Puerto Rican Day Parade, Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, and the Feast of San Gennaro.

Sports play a critical role in NYC, and the city plays host to some of the most significant sporting events in the world. Some of the sports league in NYC include the National Basketball Association (NBA), National Football League (NFL) and Major League Baseball. In line with this, NYC has some of the most spectacular stadiums in the world. These include the Madison Square Garden, Yankee Stadium, Barclays Center, and Metlife Stadium. One unique symbol of NYC is the statue of liberty. The statue, a gift from France, was placed at the Harbor in 1886 and was a symbol of freedom for immigrants as they moved to the US.

Figure 6: Statue of Liberty

Statue of Liberty [Digital Image]. (2019)

Los Angeles has gained popularity, mainly because of Hollywood. The unique Hollywood signage is on the hills overlooking the city. It highlights the role played by Los Angeles as an entertainment hub since it has a vibrant television and movie recording industry. Other attractive attributes of Los Angeles include its ethnic diversity and its perfect climate. Based on the high number of musicians, dancers, actors, and artists present in Los Angeles, it is often referred to as the world’s creative capital (Munoz, 2017) . Some of the film awards that are hosted in the city include the Grammy Awards, Emmy Awards, and the Academy Awards. Numerous productions are staged at the Los Angeles Music Center, with over a thousand plays being staged each year across the city. 

Figure 7: The Hollywood Sign (Brown, 2014)

There are also numerous art galleries and museums within Los Angeles, with the largest being the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. These establishments provide visitors with an opportunity to learn about the history of the city and the US. Such attractions draw in thousands of people each year. 

Sporting activities are also important in the city, and there are various professional teams that are based within its boundaries. Some of these include the Los Angeles Chargers, the LA Dodger, the Clippers, the Lakers, and LA Galaxy. These teams are in various sports ranging from American football, baseball, soccer, and basketball. Additionally, significant sporting events have been hosted in the city, and these include the Olympic games, the Super Bowl, and the World Cup. Similar to NYC, Los Angeles also has high-class sporting venues, and some of these include Staples Center and Dodger Stadium. 

Conclusion 

There are vast similarities between Los Angeles and New York cities. Both of these cities are located in coastal areas and are financial hubs with vibrant economies. Their physical landscape is flat but with surrounding mountains that slope towards the ocean. As a result, they have both built dams to supply water to the cities and also to prevent flooding in the lowlands. Finally, both of these cities have a vibrant culture since they are home to millions of people from diverse ethnic backgrounds. However, there are different that also exist between the two towns. While NYC became famous as a financial center with a stock exchange, LA gained fame as an entertainment hub as the home of Hollywood. 

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