Brea, city (1990 pop. 32,873), Orange co., S Calif., suburb 22 mi/35 km SE of downtown Los Angeles; 33°55'N 117°52'W. Industrial, commercial, and residential suburb in the Orange County Metro Area. Industry is centered on oil; most industries related to its production and processing. Mfg. (electronic equip., protective coatings, plastic prods., transportation equip., aircraft and aircraft parts, furniture, circuit boards, machinery, rubber prods., electroplating, printing and publishing). Developed during an oil boom in the early 1900s. Of note is the campsite of Span. explorer Don Gaspar de Portolá, the 1st European to visit the area. Carbon Canyon Dam, on Carbon Canyon Creek, in E. Puente Hills to N; Chino Hills State Park to E. Inc. 1917
