So, How Big is Long Beach Exactly? Asking for a friend (who might be a whale)
Ever looked at a map of Los Angeles and wondered, "Hey, that beach city down there – that's gotta be pretty big, right?" Well, my friend (and potential marine mammal acquaintance), you've come to the right place! Today, we're diving deep (or maybe just wading ankle-deep) into the fascinating world of Long Beach's square mileage.
Land vs. Sea: The Great Long Beach Debate (Spoiler Alert: It's Not a Debate)
Now, there are a few different answers floating around out there in the vast ocean of the internet (much like the potential whale friend we mentioned earlier). The key here is understanding the difference between total area and land area.
- Total Area: Buckle up, because this one might surprise you. Long Beach clocks in at a whopping 80.35 square miles! That's a pretty impressive chunk of Californian coast, if we do say so ourselves.
- Land Area: But wait, there's more! Not all of Long Beach is, well, beach. Shocking, we know. The actual landmass of the city comes in at a slightly more manageable 50.70 square miles. Still plenty of space to spread out your beach towel (or, if you're our mystery whale friend, sunbathe on a particularly large sandbar).
Fun Fact: That remaining 29.64 square miles? That's all water, baby! Perfect for all your whale-watching, kayaking, or escaping-Godzilla-on-a-surfboard needs.
So, How Big is Long Beach Compared to... a Whale?
Alright, alright, we hear you loud and clear (or maybe we just hear your blowhole expelling air). Let's get to the real question: how big is Long Beach compared to an actual whale?
- Blue Whale: The undisputed heavyweight champion of the ocean world, the Blue Whale can reach lengths of up to 100 feet! Long Beach could fit almost two Blue Whales – side by side, mind you. Those things are wide!
- Humpback Whale: These graceful giants can grow to be around 50 feet long. Four Humpback Whales could comfortably cuddle up along a Long Beach shoreline.
Important Whale-Related Safety Note: While we think cuddling a whale sounds delightful, we strongly advise against it. These are wild animals, and personal space is a very real thing (especially for creatures the size of a school bus).
The End (Unless You Want to Know More About Fun Facts That Don't Involve Whales)
So there you have it! The next time you're wondering how big Long Beach is, you can impress your friends (or fellow beach-dwelling whales) with your newfound knowledge of square mileage and marine mammal comparisons.
And hey, if you're curious about other fun facts about Long Beach that don't involve whales (though, whales are pretty darn fun), feel free to stick around! We've got plenty more where that came from.
