Interesting facts

1. **Incorporation:** Moreno Valley officially became a city on December 3, 1984, making it one of Riverside County's younger major cities. 2. **Three Communities:** The city was formed by the amalgamation of three distinct, older rural communities: Sunnymead, Edgemont, and Moreno. 3. **Size:** It is the second-largest city in Riverside County by population, trailing only the city of Riverside. 4. **Box Springs "M":** A large white letter "M" is constructed on the face of Box Springs Mountain, overlooking the city; it was built by local students and residents in 1966. 5. **March Air Reserve Base:** The city is situated immediately adjacent to March Air Reserve Base, one of the oldest airfields operated by the United States military, established in 1918. 6. **Aviation History:** The March Field Air Museum, located just outside the city, features over 70 aircraft and thousands of artifacts celebrating the region's rich aviation history. 7. **Meaning of Moreno:** The community of Moreno was named after Frank E. Brown, a founder of Redlands. "Moreno" is Spanish for "brown." 8. **Rapid Growth:** In the late 1980s and early 1990s, Moreno Valley was one of the fastest-growing cities in the United States. 9. **Lake Perris:** Located on the city's southern border, Lake Perris was built in 1973 and is the southernmost terminus of the California State Water Project. 10. **The Seal:** The official city seal features an airplane (representing March ARB), a tractor (representing its agricultural roots), and a sun (representing Sunnymead). 11. **World Logistics Center:** Moreno Valley is the site of the approved World Logistics Center, spanning over 40 million square feet, one of the largest such centers on Earth. 12. **Healthcare Hub:** The city is home to the Riverside University Health System Medical Center, a massive teaching hospital and Level 2 Trauma Center. 13. **Local College:** Moreno Valley College serves over 14,000 students and is highly regarded for its physician assistant, dental hygiene, and emergency responder programs. 14. **Riverside National Cemetery:** Though located in the city of Riverside, it is immediately adjacent to Moreno Valley and is one of the busiest and most notable military cemeteries in the US. 15. **Equestrian Roots:** Despite its urban growth, the city still maintains several multi-use trail networks and retains a significant equestrian community, particularly in the eastern and northern edges. 16. **San Timoteo Canyon:** The northeastern edge of the city borders the scenic San Timoteo Canyon, a vital wildlife corridor and historic railway route. 17. **Hound Town:** The city features a highly popular, community-driven dog park called "Hound Town" located in the equestrian park area. 18. **Seismic Activity:** Like much of Southern California, it sits near major fault lines, most notably the San Jacinto Fault Zone which runs through the region. 19. **Climate:** It features a hot-summer Mediterranean climate, characterized by hot, dry summers and mild, relatively wet winters. 20. **Retail Destination:** The Moreno Valley Mall, originally built on the site of the old Riverside International Raceway, remains a major retail hub for the region.