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is a city in San Diego County, California, United States. The population was 54,260 at the 2000 census. National City is the second oldest city in San Diego County with a historic past.
, (the Ranch of the King) used by Spanish soldiers to graze horses. After independence from Spain, Mexican Governor of California Pio Pico re-named it in a land grant to
(the Ranch of the Nation). President Andrew Johnson, in issuing a land patent, listed the name as simply "The National Ranch."
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 23.9 km² (9.2 mi²). 19.1 km² (7.4 mi²) of it is land and 4.8 km² (1.9 mi²) of it (20.13%) is water. National City is bounded by San Diego to the north and northeast, Bonita to the southeast, and Chula Vista to the south. San Diego Bay lies to the immediate west of the city. Also, within the boundaries of National City on the eastern side of town is the unincorporated area of San Diego County known as Lincoln Acres.