Chapter 9: Inland South

Grand Ole Opry

The Inland South produce rain all year round, unlike Los Angeles which low precipitation. However, because of brush fires in California reducing the amount of greenery in our mountains we are prone to mudslides and flash floods. Inland South suffers from the same affliction due to their deforestation habit, which reduces the amount of trees.

TLC Chinese Theater

Inland South also underwent a boom in the entertainment industry with rock & roll legend Elvis Presley and country singer Johnny Cash. Los Angeles boom in the movie industry with most studios being located within a few miles of each other. Tourism and commerce increase due to the popularity of the region. Events such as the Grand Ole Opry in Tennessee and TLC Chinese Theater in California brings in revenue from tourism.

Chapter 8: The Great Lake & Corn Belt

Port of Long Beach

California may not have the benefits of the Great Lake to transport good throughout the United States, but the Pacific Ocean provides a huge amount of international trading. Trains also provided for the transportation of California goods into the East. The Pacific Ocean also serves as a temperature moderator for California in place of the Great Lakes. California also supplies the largest amount of Tuna from the Pacific Ocean.

California Tuna

Like previous chapter, California supplies many agricultural goods that are not grown else where in the United States. Other crops that California grows includes hay, rice, corn, sugar beets, and wheat. Variety of temperature helps California produce 200 different kinds of crops.

http://www.netstate.com/economy/ca_economy.htm

Chapter 7: Megalopolis

Megapolitan Area of Southern California

Los Angeles was first settled by Spanish and Mexican Settlers hence the name. It means, "The City of Angels". The gold rush brought along people from the East. Many making the journey to strike it rich and reinvent themselves. The sunny weather and moderate temperature was great for agriculture and the numerous amount of flat land provided a terrain to grow it. Oil production, the boom of motion pictures, and quantity of beaches lying along the coast line made it a destination to vacation. Being close to the border of Mexico, one of the greatest international airport, and the largest shipping dock to Asia pushed Los Angeles into a megalopolis. Massive amounts of immigrants was pouring into Los Angeles for better job opportunities and fulfilling their American Dream. California boom with a diverse amount of people bringing along diverse amount of jobs. New jobs were created in Silicon Valley and technological advances were made.

Los Angeles at night

Chapter 5: Agriculture

California's most well known agricultural product is the oranges. With the Mediterranean/tropical like weather it has been one of the main crops. Large amount of immigrants from Mexico has also yielded cheap labors for farmers. Moving up further into the north you'll start to see dairy farm and wine vineyards. Having 840 miles of coastline, the commercial fishing industry also holds a top spot in California agriculture.

California grows over 200 different kinds of crops many of which aren't grown else where in the United states.

Leading produces: almonds, apricots, dates, kiwi fruit, nectarines, olives, pistachios, prunes, walnuts, avocados, grapes, lemons, melons, peaches, plums, and strawberry.

Leading vegetable crops: lettuce, tomatoes, broccoli, carrot, asparagus, cauliflower, celery, garlic, mushrooms, onions, and pepper.
Many of these California grow more than most states in the United States.



http://www.netstate.com/economy/ca_economy.htm

Chapter 4: Economy of Thai Town

Assortment of Thai Dessert

Like previous post mention, Thai Town was created to revitalize the economy of East Hollywood. With the assortment of restaurant all catered towards Thai cuisines the major economy of Thai Town would be people's stomach. Small restaurant tuck in nooks and cranny of Thai Town that are only known to Thai people are the best places to go for authentic Thai Food. Pa-Ord Noodles, which is located right on Hollywood Blvd. dishes the spiciest Thai food on the block (if not in Los Angeles). Be wary of ordering spicy because the server will come with a warning of "are you sure?" Nodding would only increase the pain and bloating of 5 cups of water. Tucked away in the upstairs room of Silom market is another restaurant, which houses a karaoke bar as well. To this day, I'm still not sure what the name of it is. Thai desserts and delicacy can also be found in the plaza to next to Silom. Walking in you'll notice an array of homemade Thai desserts and Thai candies exported out of Thailand.

Lanad: Thai Instrument

Among the large amount of Thai restaurant located in Thai Town, imported goods are also found there. Anything from silk to Thai liquor and beer. Silom also houses a bookstore; which sells books, movies, musical instrument, Muay Thai gear, and Thai herbal products all imported from Thailand.

Muay Thai

Tourism is another main economy of Thai Town. With the Songkran festival held every year in April, people gather to enjoy traditional Muay Thai fights, dances, and food. Many times it is sponsored by the Thai beer; Singha.

Thai Dessert: http://www.thaiwaysmagazine.com/thai_desserts/images/thai_desserts_1.JPG
Lanad: http://www.fotothing.com/photos/ae9/ae9f0ff525015dcd22789f2aa5299286.jpg
Muay Thai:http://www.mondosworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/muay-thai-panglima-polim.jpg
Singha: http://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0271/4303/files/SongkranLA_2014_01_large.jpg?780

Chapter 3: Founding of Thai Town

Kinarra Lampost

Though Thai Town was established in 1999 by the city of Los Angeles, it has served for over 50 years as a place where newly Thai immigrants and Thai business flourished. Thai Town consists of many Thai restaurants, markets, and imported goods. Silk is one of the main export of Thailand, and many silk products are found in this historical town.*

Driving down Hollywood Blvd. you will see many different historical sites such as the walk of fame and the TLC Chinese Theater. Once you driven pass all that towards Normandie Ave. you hit Thai Town where a Kinarra Lampost greets you. As you continue down Hollywood Blvd. you will witness a mixture of English and Thai. Silom Market stands in the middle of Thai Town housing a Thai market, restaurant, and book store. If you choose to sit down at one of the restaurants or explore the markets of Thai town you will be surprise to witness spicy food that will make you cry and 2-3 Lays potato chips flavors you never thought was possible.

Silom Market

Thai Food  

Of course, Thai immigrants was not always prominent in Los Angeles. It all started with the first waves of educated, middle class name the pioneer migration. The second mass migration of Thai immigrants was dubbed group migration, which was made possible due to reforms in the immigration laws. The last wave of migration started in the 1980's to present time, which is characterize by unskilled/semi skilled laborers.** Los Angeles International Airport, one of the largest airport in America helped usher in the mass migration.


*http://thaicdc.org/ourcommunity/thai-town/
**http://thaicdc.org/ourcommunity/
Silom Market: https://hollywoodnewbie.files.wordpress.com/2012/01/thaitown.jpg
Thai food: http://www.chiangmaithaict.com/thai-food.jpg

Chapter 2: Enviroment Setting

Thai Town is located within the Los Angeles District which is near the coast of California; coordinates: 34.1000° N, 118.3045° W. California is located on the West Coast of the United States which borders the Pacific Ocean, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, and Mexico. Many fault lines runs through California such as; Hayward Fault, San Andreas Fault, San Jacinto Fault, Calaveras Fault, Banning Fault, and Garlock Fault. Los Angeles sits near San Andreas Fault line, which result of substantial earthquakes such as the Northridge Quake of 1994, 1987 Whittier Narrows Quake, 1971 San Fernando Quake and 1933 Long Beach Quake.*

Los Angeles topography consists of coastal areas, valleys, and mountains. Mountains in California was created by the fault lines that rest underneath California. The water from the Pacific Oceans and the Sierra Nevada mountain range creates a diverse climate within California. Los Angeles receives steady temperature throughout the year due to the currents from the Pacific Ocean regulating the temperature.**

 Los Angeles county also houses one of the major shipping ports to Asia. With it's access to the Pacific Ocean, more than 6.8 billion container units passes through the Port of Long Beach each year.***


*https://foreshock.wordpress.com/significant-la-area-earthquakes-1769-present/
**http://www.los-angeles.us/topography.php
***http://www.polb.com/about/facts.asp

Chapter 1: Introduction

                                                                                            https://thefoodinista.files.wordpress.com/2009/07/thai_town.jpg
Thai Town is located within Los Angeles in East Hollywood district. Thai Town consist of only 6 blocks on Hollywood Blvd., but it is the epicenter of Thai Culture. Southern California is home to one of the largest Thai population outside of Thailand, it wouldn't be a surprise if there was a culture hub located in Los Angeles.

Thai town is also the only Thai ethnic neighborhood located within the United States. 6 blocks on Hollywood Blvd. was allocated to this ethnic group by the city of Los Angeles. Every year Thai Town host the Thai Water Festival (Thai New Year) also known as Songkran; where there is an abundant of activities from Thai food to traditional dances. If anyone is interested in joining this year's festival it is on April 5, 2015 from 9:00am-6:00pm in Thai Town.

For more information regarding Songkran in Thai Town visit:
http://www.culturela.org/events/Festivals/festivalguides/festivals15/2015-Festival-Guide-web.pdf