The city of Palmdale is situated within the north-central part of Los Angeles County. The city was founded during the year 1962 and ever since then presently hosts a population of 152,622. Voters agreed to make the city into a Charter City in November of the year 2009. The Gabriel Mountain Range separates Palmdale from Los Angeles.
Palmdale is currently the sixth biggest city in the Los Angeles County and has been ranked as one of the top 25 fastest growing cities within California. The city limits stretch practically 104.57 square miles, making it amongst the largest cities in the United States or the largest "Desert City." It is one of the very few bigger cities that are not served by a an interstate freeway or a highway.
Palmdale has for a long time considered itself the "Aerospace Capital of the United States." It is by far the most prosperous business within the area, even though manufacturing plants are starting to develop because of special tax breaks offered by the government as well as the close proximity to the Palmdale Airport.
The main location of the Aerospace business within the city is the USAF Plant 42, where all the development, final assembly, research, servicing/modifications and test flights occur. The B-2 Spirit, F-35 Lightning II, Lockheed 1011 Tristar, F-117 Nighthawk, the Space Shuttle, SR-71 Blackbird, and X-15 are just some of the planes that were developed at the centre. The completed products and research produced here are utilized by airlines and air forces internationally in addition to NASA.
The major operations of Lockheed Martin (Skunk Works), Northrop Grumman and Boeing are located here in the city. The former Boeing hanger at USAF Plant 42, one of the biggest buildings in the globe, is owned by the Los Angeles World Airport.