California

The Golden State Established 1850, 31st State

Climate

Average Seasonal High and Low Temperatures • Spring: 69/47°F • Summer: 83/58°F • Fall: 73/50°F • Winter: 59/40°F

Geography

California is the third largest state in the United States, at 163,707 square miles (423,999 sq km). At its longest point from top to bottom, California is 654 miles (1,053 km) long; it is more than 200 miles (322 km) wide in most places. In the northern part of the state lie high mountains that form part of the Cascade Range. Streams from these mountains feed the Sacramento River, California's longest river. Rolling hills and mountains follow the coastline. On the other side of the coast range is the giant Central Valley. Most of the state's crops are grown there. On the eastern side of the Central Valley lie rugged granite mountains called the Sierra Nevada (Spanish for `snowy mountain range`). Dry south-central California includes Death Valley and the Mojave and Colorado deserts.

Resources and Economy

Agriculture is the core of the state's economy. California produces a larger variety of crops than any other state. Chief farm products include milk, cream, grapes, cotton, carrots, onions, broccoli, flowers, oranges, rice, hay, tomatoes, lettuce, strawberries, almonds, and asparagus. The state also has rich mines of gold, silver, titanium, magnesium, and stone. California's forests are a valuable source of timber, and the state's long coast makes it one of the top fishing states. Industry continues to play an increasingly important role in the region's economic development. Tourism, clothing, electronics, telecommunications, entertainment, and financial services are the state's chief industries.

Population

36,553,215

Government

Capital:
State Abbreviation: CA
Governor: Arnold Schwarzenegger (Republican)
U.S. Senators: 2
Barbara Boxer (Democrat)
Dianne Feinstein (Democrat)
U.S. Representatives: 53
    Republicans: 19
    Democrats 34
State Senators: 40
State Representatives: 80
Counties: 58

Fun Facts

# Fallbrook is called the Avocado Capital of the World. # The longest runway in the world (7.5 miles, or 12 km) is located at Edwards Air Force Base and is used for space shuttle landings. # The National Yo-Yo Museum in Chico has the world's largest yo-yo, weighing 256 pounds (116 kg) and standing 50 inches (127 cm) tall. # There's enough water in Lake Tahoe to cover the whole state of California in 14.5 inches (37 cm) of water. # During the Gold Rush, miners shipped their laundry to Honolulu because the prices in California were too high. # California records about 500,000 detectable tremors or quakes each year. # San Francisco was established in 1776, the same year the United States declared independence from Great Britain. # At almost 300 feet (91 m) below sea level, Death Valley is the lowest point in North America and one of the hottest spots on Earth.