North American area code 213 is a Californian telephone area code which contains downtown Los Angeles and its immediate environs. Geographically speaking, it is one of the smallest area codes in the nation, stretching over only a few square miles.
It was one of California's original three area codes created in October 1947, and stretched from the southern portion of the Central Valley to the Mexican border. Due to California's burgeoning population, however, it has been split numerous times.
The first split came in 1951, when most of the southern portion became area code 714. In 1957, 213 was restricted to Los Angeles County, with most of the old 213's western portion becoming area code 805. In 1984, the San Fernando Valley became area code 818--thus making Los Angeles the first major city in the nation to be split between two area codes. In 1991, West Los Angeles and the South Bay became area code 310. The 213 area code was reduced to its current size in 1998, when practically all of the old 213 territory outside of downtown became area code 323, which now surrounds 213.
The area code historically has been associated with Southern California and Los Angeles. Area code 213 is referenced in Warren G and Nate Dogg's song "Regulate", Dr. Dre's "Still D.R.E.", and the Electric Six song "I'm the Bomb."
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