California borders the Pacific Ocean, Oregon, Nevada, Arizona, and the Mexican State of Baja CA. The state has striking natural features, including a huge fertile central valley, high mountains, and hot dry deserts. With an area of 410,000 km² it is the third largest state in the U.S. Most major cities cling to the cool, pleasant seacoast along the Pacific, notably San Francisco, Los Angeles and San Diego. The capital, however, is Sacramento in the Central Valley. California has many types of geography. Down the center of the state lies the Central Valley, a huge, fertile valley bounded by the coastal mountain ranges in the west, the Sierra Nevada to the east, the Cascade Range in the north and the the Tehachapi Mountains in the south. Mountain-fed rivers naturally irrigate the Central Valley. With dredging, several of these rivers have become sufficiently large and deep that several inland cities, notably Stockton, CA, are seaports.

In the center and east of the state are the Sierra Nevada, containing the highest peak in the continental U.S., Mt. Whitney, at 4,418 meters (14,495 ft). Also in the Sierra is the world famous Yosemite National Park and a deep freshwater lake, Lake Tahoe. To the east of the Sierra is the Owens Valley and Mono Lake, an essential seabird habitat.

In the south lie the San Bernardino Mountains and a large salt lake, the Salton Sea. The south-central desert is called the Mojave. Just to the north east of the Mojave, lies Death Valley, which contains the lowest, hottest point in North America.

Anaheim, CA (Greater Area)                     City Guide  Irvine, CA (Greater Area)                            City Guide  Lake Tahoe, CA (Greater Area)                City Guide  Los Angeles, CA (Greater Area)               City Guide  Monterey, CA (Greater Area)                      City Guide  Napa, CA (Greater Area)                            City Guide  Palm Springs, CA (Greater Area)             City Guide Sacramento, CA (Greater Area)                 City Guide San Diego, CA (Greater Area)                    City Guide San Francisco, CA (Greater Area)             City Guide Santa Clara, CA (Greater Area)                  City Guide Silicon Valley, CA (Greater Area)                City Guide South Lake Tahoe, CA (Greater Area)       City Guide

The state of California is located in the western United States with Sacramento as its capital. The state's official nickname is "The Golden State" and its U.S. Postal abbreviation is CAs.

History

California was the name given to the northwestern part of the Spanish Empire in North America. Following the Mexican-American War of 1847, the region was divided between Mexico and the United States. The Mexican portion, Baja (lower) California was later divided into the states of Baja California and Baja California Sur. The American portion, Alta (upper) California became the U.S. state of California in 1850.

Geography

California borders the Pacific Ocean, Oregon, Nevada, Arizona, and the Mexican State of Baja California. The state has striking natural features, including a huge fertile central valley, high mountains, and hot dry deserts. With an area of 410,000 km² it is the third largest state in the U.S. Most major cities cling to the cool, pleasant seacoast along the Pacific, notably San Francisco, Los Angeles and San Diego. The capital, however, is Sacramento in the Central Valley. California has many types of geography. Down the center of the state lies the Central Valley, a huge, fertile valley bounded by the coastal mountain ranges in the west, the Sierra Nevada to the east, the Cascade Range in the north and the the Tehachapi Mountains in the south. Mountain-fed rivers naturally irrigate the Central Valley. With dredging, several of these rivers have become sufficiently large and deep that several inland cities, notably Stockton, California, are seaports.

In the center and east of the state are the Sierra Nevada, containing the highest peak in the continental U.S., Mt. Whitney, at 4,418 meters (14,495 ft). Also in the Sierra is the world famous Yosemite National Park and a deep freshwater lake, Lake Tahoe. To the east of the Sierra is the Owens Valley and Mono Lake, an essential seabird habitat. In the south lie the San Bernardino Mountains and a large salt lake, the Salton Sea. The south-central desert is called the Mojave. Just to the north east of the Mojave, lies Death Valley, which contains the lowest, hottest point in North America.

Climate

The southern part of the state has a desert climate, with temperature extremes and 10 inches/year of rain. The coastal regions have a Mediterranean climate, with wet winters and dry summers. There is a temperate climate with 15-40 inches/year rainfall in the north. The Central Valley has a continental climate, with chilly winters and very hot summers. The high mountains, including the Sierra Nevada, have a mountain climate with snow in winter and moderate heat in summer.

Biotopes: desert, savanna with scattered oaks, second-growth taiga (coniferous forest), especially in the north and at high altitudes. Mountain-tops contain tundra, fellfields (stoney ground with patches of meadow), and krumwald (dwarf forests).

State Animal:      California grizzly bear State Bird:          California Quail State Color:        blue and gold State Capital:      Sacramento State Dance:       West Coast Swing Dancing State Fish:          Golden trout Flower:              California Poppy Fossil:                Sabertooth cat State Motto:       "Eureka!" State Song:        "I love you, California" State Tree:         California redwood State Mineral:     Gold State Rock:         Serpentine