Whittier is a city located in Los Angeles County, California, about 12 miles southeast of the City of Los Angeles. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 83,680. It is home to Rose Hills Memorial Park, considered to be the largest cemetery in the world. Whittier's strong sense of history and vision for the future has made it an up-scale and dynamic residential community. Throughout the years, the City of Whittier has striven to provide a healthy and safe community and a well-maintained infrastructure enhanced by planned patterns of growth and development. Through a balance of economic, social, political, cultural and recreational opportunities, the City Council has encouraged an atmosphere conducive to community spirit and active participation in the affairs and progress of the community. Such efforts have been made to ensure a visually pleasing community in which the City's identity and character are preserved and enhanced.