| Los Angeles, California, is one of several U.S. cities, | | | | "L.A.", the bustling economic and cultural center on the |
| along with New York City and Chicago, to enjoy the | | | | U.S. West Coast. |
| designation of "alpha world city", a concept developed | | | | Here's a look at several other characteristics on the |
| at England's Loughborough University to identify | | | | Loughborough University list that help qualify the City of |
| strategic geographical locations that play an important | | | | Los Angeles as an alpha world city: |
| role in the ongoing process of globalization. Essentially | | | | - An alpha world city has a substantial population. |
| a 12-point scale, the Loughborough system divides the | | | | According to 2006 estimates by the U.S. Census |
| world's leading cities into three categories: alpha, beta | | | | Bureau, L.A.'s population is 3.8 million, making it the |
| or gamma, depending on whether and to what extent | | | | largest city in California and the second largest city in |
| the city in question satisfies a dozen general criteria. | | | | the United States after New York City. |
| With twelve points each, New York City, London and | | | | - An alpha world city is a transportation nexus, usually |
| Tokyo are the undisputed point leaders in what is really | | | | with an important international airport used as a hub by |
| a two-tier classification system within the overall "alpha | | | | a number of international air carriers. Los Angeles |
| world city" category. Within the alpha group, Los | | | | International Airport, or LAX, is the world's fifth busiest |
| Angeles is a second tier designate that meets ten of | | | | commercial airport. LAX serves nearly ninety domestic |
| the twelve characteristics ascribed by Loughborough | | | | and seventy international destinations and is considered |
| University to the world's leading cities. | | | | a gateway to destinations throughout Asia and |
| Name recognition is at the top of the list of | | | | Oceania. |
| characteristics every alpha world city must have. In the | | | | - An alpha world city is also a cultural nexus. As the |
| world of alpha cities, the mere mention of a city's | | | | focal point of America's television and movie industry, |
| name transcends any and all geographical boundaries. | | | | film and TV studios in Los Angeles produce |
| Consider the fact that many cities around the world | | | | world-class entertainment seen both domestically and |
| share the same name. However, there is universal | | | | abroad. |
| agreement that a reference to Paris, London or New | | | | These are only three of a dozen characteristics that |
| York, for example, automatically refers to one and only | | | | define an alpha world city according to the |
| one specific city in France, the United Kingdom or the | | | | Loughborough University scale. Los Angeles scores |
| United States, respectively. Much the same is true of | | | | ten of twelve points on this scale, making it one of the |
| Los Angeles, also universally recognized simply as | | | | planet's most influential and important cities. |