
Updated at 2023-05-23
Many people mistakenly believe that the image on the right side of the Irvine City seal is a camphor tree or water lily, both associated with Irvine City. It is actually the official vegetable of Irvine - the humble asparagus. Agriculture has a long history in Irvine. Native Americans farmed the lands as early as 2,000 years ago. However, it was during the colonization of Spain, Mexico, and Great Britain between the 18th and 19th centuries did agriculture and ranching boom in the area. In the 1960s, the Irvine Company sold thousands of acres of land to the University of California to build a new campus, which later spurred a wave of development across the surrounding farmlands. The emerging urban area was eventually incorporated as a city of Orange County in 1971.
Agreement date: February 2, 2001
Language: English
Area: 170 square kilometers
Population: Approx. 310,000 people
Main industries/features: Irvine is located in Orange County, California. Its primary industries are technology and semiconductor manufacturing. Irvine also has a booming higher education industry.