Santa Ana, Large urban center in Orange County, United States
Santa Ana sits at the base of the mountains of the same name in Orange County and spreads across a wide urban area where residential districts surround a business center. The streets follow a regular grid, interrupted by highways that connect the city with Los Angeles and other neighboring towns.
William Spurgeon purchased the land in 1869 and founded the settlement, which grew rapidly after the rail connection to Los Angeles opened in 1878. During the 20th century it developed into an industrial and commercial hub in southern California.
The name comes from the nearby mountain range and refers to Saint Anne, the patron of the city. In many neighborhoods you will hear Spanish spoken, while parks and public plazas serve as gathering spots for weekend meals and meetings.
The city runs along several main highways, so moving around by car is generally easy, although traffic jams can occur during rush hours. Public transport connects different neighborhoods, but a vehicle remains the most practical choice for longer distances.
The zoo in Prentice Park was founded with the condition of always keeping at least 50 monkeys, as stipulated in the founder's will. This requirement is still honored today and shapes the character of the facility.
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