Palmdale, Charter city in Antelope Valley, Los Angeles County, United States
Palmdale is a charter city in the southern Antelope Valley within Los Angeles County, California. It covers roughly 275 square kilometers (106 square miles) of desert terrain, with the San Gabriel Mountains forming a natural boundary to the south.
German Lutheran immigrants established a settlement called Palmenthal here in 1886. The founding group named the place after what they believed were palm trees, though they were actually looking at Joshua trees.
The name reflects a case of botanical confusion when early German settlers mistook Joshua trees for palms. This mix-up continues to shape how the city presents itself, connecting desert surroundings to an idea borrowed from warmer coastal regions.
The California Aqueduct runs through the area, bringing water to support farming and residential neighborhoods. Access to the city follows major highways that link the desert region with surrounding counties.
The local airport serves as a major site for aerospace companies that assemble aircraft and test electronic systems. This presence gives the desert city an industrial dimension not immediately apparent from the surrounding landscape.
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