HISTORY Native Americans originally inhabited
?California?, before explorers from European countries started visiting the area
in the 16th Century. Beginning in 1769, Spain colonized many areas along the
Pacific Coast; however, the region remained home to the highest concentration of
indigenous individuals in what is currently the USA. California became the
property of the Mexican Republic in 1821, due to the Mexican War of
Independence, and later became the property of the United States during the
Mexican-American War in 1848.
Between 1848 and 1849, the California Gold Rush lured nearly 100,000 immigrants
to the area, and in 1850, CA became the 31st state admitted to the Union. In the
20th century, completion of major transcontinental highways, such as Route 66,
afforded travelers more convenient cross-country access, resulting in a massive
migration into California. Between 1900 and 1965 the population exploded from
fewer than one million residents to CA?s current status as the nation?s most
heavily populated state. From 1965 through the present day, California continues
to hold the most diverse population in the U.S and in most places around the
world. Today, California leads the nation in business, cultural, education,
entertainment and technological pursuits.
DEMOGRAPHICS In 2000, the population was nearly 34 million,
with Sacramento, the capital of California, accounting for more than 445,000 of
that total. Estimates in 2006 suggest a growth surge to more than 37 million
residents. This estimate includes a natural growth of 1,557,112 people
(2,781,539 births minus 1,224,427 deaths) since the last census and growth due
to net migration of 751,419 people into California. Foreign immigration
accounted for a net increase of 1,415,879 people and migration within the U.S.
resulted in a net loss of 664,460 individuals. Sixty-eight percent of the
population lives within the two largest metropolitan areas, Greater Los Angeles
and the San Francisco Bay Area. CA is home to 478 cities and is the nation?s
13th fastest-growing state.
The largest named ancestral groups in California are Mexican (25%), Filipino,
German, Irish and Asian. Large numbers of Chicano and Mexican Americans reside
in Southern California, the Central Valley, Salinas, and in portions of the San
Francisco Bay Area. Residents of German and Spanish ancestries concentrate in
the eastern Sierra Nevada region, the far north, and the North Coast.
San Francisco is home to the largest concentration of Asians in the U.S., with
large populations of Chinese residing in Alameda, San Francisco, San Mateo, and
Santa Clara counties. Southern California, particularly the San Gabriel Valley,
hosts the nation?s largest Taiwanese-American community. Filipino residents
congregate heavily in San Mateo and Solano counties, as well as in communities
such as Baldwin Park, Covina, West Covina, and Eagle Rock in Los Angeles.
California is also home to large communities of Armenian, Bulgarian, Korean,
Japanese, Persian and Vietnamese individuals.
GEOGRAPHY
California sprawls across the southern half of the nation?s West Coast and
covers nearly 160,000 square miles. CA is the nation?s most highly populated
state and is the third largest in area. Arizona, Nevada, Oregon, the Pacific
Ocean, and the Mexican State of Baja, California make up the massive borders
surrounding the state. The majority of CA?s largest urban areas situate on or
near the Pacific Coast. These include Long Beach, Los Angeles, Oakland, San
Francisco, San Jose, Santa Ana/Orange County, Riverside/Moreno Valley, San
Bernardino, and San Diego. One major exception is the Capital City of
Sacramento, which is in the Central Valley.
Due to CA?s massive size, there exist widely diverse geographical areas and
features with equally diverse corresponding climates. California?s spectacular
natural features include hundreds of miles of beaches along the Pacific Ocean,
arid deserts, tall mountains, valleys and volcanoes. Most Californians enjoy a
Mediterranean climate with wet winters and dry summers; however, the climates
may shift depending on their elevation, latitude and proximity to the coastline.
The Pacific Ocean aids in moderating extremes in temperature, which results in
cooler summers and warmer winters. The further one travels from the coastline,
the more continental the climate becomes, resulting in hotter summers and colder
winters. California, renowned for its earthquakes, lies on several fault lines,
the largest of which is the San Andreas Fault. CA is also home to numerous
volcanoes, some of which are still active, such as Mammoth Mountain. Additional
volcanoes include Lassen Peak and Mount Shasta.
ECONOMY In 2005, California's gross domestic product (GDP) was
approximately $1.55 trillion, which accounts for thirteen percent of the GDP in
the United States. This staggering figure indicates that if CA operated an
autonomous economy, it would rank as the world?s sixth largest economy.
Important economic regions in California include Hollywood and Silicon Valley.
Agriculture remains CA?s predominant industry, while the sectors of
entertainment, light manufacturing, borax mining and tourism also hold
significant roles. Television and movies are products of the entertainment
industry, while the primary manufactured products in CA include computer
software and hardware.
California, known for its sunny climate, is an extremely popular tourist
destination. Tourist attractions that contribute significantly to the economy
include the world famous Disneyland. California boasts more amusement parks and
theme parks than any other U.S. state. Additional attractions include the scenic
beaches and state parks, the California Space Authority facilities, Lake Tahoe,
nearly 250 museums and a wide variety of amateur and professional sports teams,
such as the Los Angeles Lakers.
AGRICULTURE Agriculture plays a primary role in California?s
burgeoning economy. Products include dairy, fruit, vegetables and wine. Several
of CA?s leading economic regions are predominantly agricultural. These include
CA?s Central Valley area and wine producing regions such as Santa Barbara and
Northern California's Wine Country.
TRANSPORTATION
An intricate transportation system made up of expressways, freeways and highways
sprawls throughout the California countryside. CA?s primary north-south arteries
include U.S. Route 101 and Interstate 5. U.S. Route 101 parallels the CA coast
from its northern border to downtown Los Angeles. Interstate 5 bisects the
entire inland portion of the state from the border of Oregon to Mexico. The
majority of CA?s highways are non-toll roads; however, there are a few toll
roads and many of the major bridges operate toll plazas. These major bridges
include the renowned Golden Gate Bride and additional large bridges exist in Los
Angeles, Sacramento and San Diego. California residents typically use their
personal vehicles as their primary mode of transportation, giving many of its
larger cities a reputation for long commutes on heavily congested highways.
California also acts as a major hub for air travel, with nearly a dozen leading
commercial airports and numerous general aviation airports spread throughout its
fifty-eight counties. Both Los Angeles and San Francisco have significant subway
systems. Amtrak and Greyhound provide intercity travel services to many of CA?s
major cities. California also boasts numerous excellent seaports.
EDUCATION The California State University System, with more
than 405,000 students, is the nation?s largest university system. Throughout
CSU?s twenty-three campuses, students have access to top-notch research
facilities and training programs for various trades, agriculture and industry.
CA also has 109 community colleges that offer a multitude of vocational and
continuing education programs. Additionally, CA boasts an impressive selection
of public and private institutions for higher learning. These include California
Institute of Technology (Caltech), Stanford University, the Claremont Colleges,
Occidental the University of Southern California (USC) and the University of
California. The University of California, one of the country?s finest
universities, operates campuses in Berkeley, Davis, Irvine, Los Angeles, San
Diego, Santa Barbara and Santa Cruz.
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