Los Angeles has formally recognized two of its culturally unique neighborhoods by granting them the official designations "Historic Filipinotown" and "Little Ethiopia."

The City Council approved the designation of "Historic Filipinotown" on June 30, followed by the designation of "Little Ethiopia" on Wednesday.

The Temple-Beverly corridor west of downtown has long been home to thousands of immigrants from the Philippines, while the neighborhood along Fairfax Avenue between Olympic and Pico boulevards hosts several Ethiopan-owned and operated shops and restaurants.

The "Historic Filipinotown" sign is posted at Temple Street and Union Avenue. The designation covers the area bounded by the Hollywood (101) Freeway, Glendale Boulevard, Beverly Boulevard and Hoover Street.

"I hope that this leads our community and the many communities of Los Angeles to study and honor Filipino history and Filipino contributions to Los Angeles," Johann Diel, president of the Filipino American National Historical Society, said when the idea was approved.

The newly recognized neighborhoods join other areas formally identified with the city's immigrant communities, such as Chinatown, Little Tokyo, Thai Town, and Little Armenia.

By Marc Salvatierra, with material from City News Service