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Photo By: Brymo - Flickr.com

Dubbed the "Entertainment Capital of the World," Hollywood has become synonymous with the movie industry. Founded as an agricultural community, Hollywood was incorporated in 1903 as a municipality, and the first movie studio in the LA area was established in 1909 as the Selig Polyscope Company. By 1915, a majority of films produced in the United States were produced in the LA area. The "Hollywoodland" sign was also erected in 1923, later dropping the "land" and stands as the most recognizable sign in the world today.

In modern day Hollywood, visitors can stroll down Hollywood Blvd. and enjoy the famous "Walk-of-fame" with decades of stars' names embedded on the sidewalks of this famous boulevard. Tours of the major studios such as NBC-Universal, Sony Studios, Paramount Studios, etc. are also available for those who want an inside look at the inner-workings of a motion-picture studio. The famous Hollywood & Highland complex, home to the Kodak Theatre that hosts the annual Academy Awards, offers lots of shops and restaurants and is within walking distance to Mann's Chinese Theatre where famous stars of today & yesteryears have their palms and/or footprints cemented on the sidewalk.

Hollywood is also undergoing major revitalization and transformation, with many new development projects in hand particularly on Hollywood Blvd. itself. Many bars, nightclubs, and retail business have opened on Hollywood Boulevard, making it one of the main hotspots for nightlife in LA - slowly creeping up to the famous and legendary Sunset Strip on Sunset Blvd.

Just west of Hollywood is the famous areas of Melrose Avenue and Beverly Hills and its world-class shopping district, Rodeo Drive. Visitors can spend an entire day shopping at famous boutiques such as Giorgio Armani, Chanel, Gucci, Christian Dior, Bijan, Louis Vuitton, etc. Another must-see in Los Angeles is the famous Sunset Strip on Sunset Boulevard, famous for its trendy clubs and rock halls such as Whisky A Go Go and the House of Blues.