Southern California 1 article

Southern California covers the state's southern metropolitan areas, coastal corridors, mountains and deserts, rather than one administrative jurisdiction. Los Angeles, Orange County, San Diego and the Inland Empire are major centers, while the Mojave and Colorado deserts occupy broad inland areas. Mountain ranges interrupt regional travel and create sharp climate differences. Ports, border crossings and interconnected freeways tie together communities whose housing, water and wildfire issues vary considerably by landscape.