On the coast of the Pacific Ocean. California is the most populous and third largest state in the United States.

The name "California" is taken from the 16th century novel "The Adventures of Espladián" ("Las sergas de Espladián" by García Rodríguez de Montalvo), which was the name of the paradise island.

State nicknames:

El Dorado State

golden state(Golden State)

golden west

Land of Milk and Honey

Story

The first Europeans to explore these shores were Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo in 1542 and Sir Francis Drake in 1579. Until the 1730s, California was considered an island. Beginning in the late 1700s, Spanish missionaries built small settlements on vast tracts of land on empty land north of Baja California. California Baja). After the independence of Mexico, the entire chain of such settlements (missions) was declared the property of the Mexican government and they were abandoned.

California was the name given to the northwestern part of the Spanish empire in North America. After the Mexican-American War of 1847, the region was divided between Mexico and the United States. American part, Upper California (Spanish. California Alta), became the 31st U.S. state in 1850.

After the discovery of gold in 1848, the so-called "Gold Rush" began. At this time, the population of California is growing many times. At the same time, the Republic of California is proclaimed, which quickly came to an end after US Navy Commodore Sloat landed in San Francisco Bay and claimed the area as US territory. In 1850, California was admitted to the Union of States.

During the American Civil War, California officially supported the North. But the population was divided in their preferences, and units of Californian volunteers fought on both sides.

The completion of the first transcontinental railroad in the 1870s led to an explosive population growth. The settlers liked the climate, perfect for living and farming. By 1950, California had become the most populous state in the US, which it is today.

Administrative unit

California is governed as a republic. It has three branches of government - executive, legislative and judicial.

The executive branch is the governor of the state and other elected officials.

Legislative power is exercised by the Senate (40 senators) and the Assembly (80 deputies). California's main law is the California Constitution, one of the longest legislative documents in the world. Its volume is more than 10,000 pages.

The judicial branch is the California Supreme Court and lower courts.

The state capital is Sacramento. Previously, the capital was Monterey (1775-1849), San José (1849-1851), Valeijo (1852-1853), Benicia (1853-1854) and San Francisco (1862). Sacramento became the permanent capital in 1854. In 1862, the capital's functions were moved to San Francisco for four months due to severe flooding.

California has two representatives in the US Senate and 53 in the US Congress.

Geography

California is located along the coast of the Pacific Ocean. It borders the state of Oregon to the north, the states of Nevada and Arizona to the east, and the Mexican state of Baja California to the south. California is the third largest US state (410,000 km 2). Most of the major cities lie on the coast, in cooler climates.

The central part of the state is occupied by the fertile Central Valley. Central Valley), framed on all sides by mountains, which was once the bottom of the ocean.

The Mojave Desert is in southern California. To the northeast of it lies Death Valley - the lowest (86 meters below sea level) and hottest point in North America.

To the east are the Sierra Nevada mountains. Sierra Nevada- snow-capped mountains). They are crowned by Mount Whitney - the highest point in the continental United States (4421 m). Yosemite National Park and deep freshwater Lake Tahoe are also located here.

The San Andreas Fault runs throughout California, which is why earthquakes are frequent here. Also in California there are several volcanoes. Some of them are active, such as Lassen Peak, which erupted in 1914 and 1921.

Climate

California's climate is extremely varied. It is Mediterranean in most of the state, with rainy winters and dry summers. The influence of the ocean reduces the temperature variation, resulting in cool summers and warm winters. Due to the cold California ocean current, there is often fog along the coast. Moving inland, the climate becomes more continental, with a wide range of temperatures in winter and summer. Westerly winds from the ocean bring moisture, and the northern part of the state receives more rainfall than the southern. The climate is also influenced by mountains, which do not allow moist air from the ocean to penetrate far into the continent.

The northwestern part of California has a temperate climate, the total precipitation is 38-100 cm per year. The Central Valley has a Mediterranean climate, but with a wide range of temperatures. The mountains are characterized by a mountain climate, snowy winters and moderately warm summers. To the east of the mountain ranges are desert areas with cold winters and hot summers.

Economy

California generates 17% of the US gross national income. This is more than any country in the world produces except the US, Japan, Germany, China, the UK, France, and Italy.

The main branch of California's economy is agriculture, which includes the production of fruits, vegetables, dairy products and wine. After agriculture, the aerospace industry, the entertainment industry (mainly television and cinema), and the high-tech industry follow.

Population

According to the results of the 2000 census, 33,871,648 people lived in California, which makes California the most populous US state (12% of the total population).

California lacks an absolute ethnic majority. The majority of the population is still white, followed by Hispanics (nearly a third), Asians, African Americans, and American Indians. Experts predict that Hispanics will make up the vast majority of California's population by 2040. The reasons for this are called a large flow of immigrants from Mexico and a high birth rate among them.

Major cities

Most California cities are concentrated in nine metropolitan areas. The largest of them are located near the coast: Los Angeles, San Diego, San Jose and San Francisco. The remaining five are located inland: Inland Empire (Riverside - San Bernardino - Ontario), Sacramento, Fresno, Bakersfield and Antelope Valley (Palmdale - Lancaster).

State of California, USA (California, CA, USA) - Photo

California (California, CA) is a US state located on the western coast of the Pacific Ocean, and neighbors Nevada, Oregon and Arizona. The state capital is beautiful city ​​of Sacramento and other big cities Los Angeles, San Diego , San Jose And San Francisco. California joined the United States in 1850 and became the 31st state.

The territory of the state is a seismic zone, due to the fact that geological faults constantly occur here and volcanoes are also located here. The state has two major rivers, the Sacramento and the Joaquin. The main territory of the state is dominated by a Mediterranean climate, hot summers and rather rainy winters. The central part of the state has a continental climate.

California has the largest population of any other state, with 37,691,912 people. There is no absolute national majority in the state, but still the majority are whites. An interesting fact is that the state is home to 600,000 millionaires and 79 billionaires.

The economy of California is developed at a very high level. Natural gas and oil are extracted here, in addition, solar, geothermal and wind energy is used. There is also a very popular Silicon Valley, which is the center of a group of companies that specialize in the electronics industry, information technology and scientific research. The spheres of entertainment, high technologies and aerospace activities are actively developing here. Many factories in the state are working on the production of alcoholic and canning products and the production of soft drinks. The state also produces dairy products, fruits, wines and vegetables. The state is also engaged in animal husbandry.

Santa Catalina Island

There are a lot of attractions in the state. A well-known place in the state is the island reserve, which is located southwest of Los Angeles. The reserve is famous for its ecosystem. Avalon is home to the 1929 Casino with a museum, dance hall, art gallery and theater.

Also south of Los Angeles is a famous resort. Having been in the state, a must visit Chamash National Park, with caves adorned with Indian rock paintings and the Railway Museum.

Another place worth visiting in the state is city ​​of Solvang, it is built in Scandinavian style and has picturesque buildings.

This is the land of the rich and famous, everyone who wants to make a lightning-fast career and live with pleasure from the coming days, reach out to this place, and having arrived, they no longer want to change the state of affairs.

Magic of California

The Golden State attracts its visitors with many attractions: landscapes, playgrounds, tall trees and themed shows.

Diverse beach Venice

This is one of the most popular beaches in Los Angeles, which has one important feature: during the summer season and on weekends, the beach and promenade are crowded with roller skaters, cyclists, swimmers and street performers. Even on Venice Beach there is a kind of territory - the muscle beach, where bodybuilders train and show strength.

Amazing Sea World

In sunny and hot San Diego is Sea worlds- a show of marine animals, which gives the opportunity to get acquainted with the ocean and its inhabitants, such as walruses, dolphins, killer whales, polar bears and penguins. And the highlight of the program is a show with killer whales called Shamu Show.

Spectacular Redwood National Park (Redwood)

Here you can see not only tall trees, but generally enjoy the spirit of nature. There are also exhibitions, routes and programs for tourists, which include horseback riding, mountain biking, walking along established trails, trout and salmon fishing and kayaking on the river. Walking through the forest you can see unusual red trees, waterfalls and wildlife, and the ocean scenery is breathtaking.

Ancient Lake Tahoe

The history of this lake begins about two million years ago and it is among the largest lakes in the world. Its location is between Nevada and California. The lake is surrounded by mountains and offers activities all year round, from ski resorts in winter to jet skiing, kayaking, rowing, sailing and swimming in spring.

Recognizable Golden Gate Bridge

It is believed that - one of the most visited places in California, as well as the most photographed. It is not for nothing that this color was chosen for painting the bridge: it becomes more visible during the fog that often covers the structure. There are even guided tours on the bridge to get acquainted with its history.

One of the largest in the US and the sunniest state in the country is California. The sun shines here almost at any time of the year, that is, always, and the climate attracts a huge number of both residents of other states and immigrants, not to mention tourists. In general, the whole of America is a country of emigrants, in which representatives of almost all nationalities of the world are gathered. More people live here than in other states of the country. Many visitors are attracted by Hollywood, Silicon Valley, or simply the desire and opportunity to make money in a prosperous state.

The very first settlers appeared here, having fallen ill with the "Gold Rush". After all the gold was washed out of the sand, a railroad was laid in the state to develop its economy further without relying on any minerals that could run out very quickly. This ensured a colossal influx of population and the assignment of the status of the most populous state in the country.

The capital of California is Sacramento, the largest and most famous cities are San Diego, San Francisco, and, of course, Los Angeles. The majority of the population living here is white, followed by Hispanics in second place, and Asians, African Americans and Indians in third. This is a state of bohemia and specialists in the field of computer science and new technologies. The streets of cities, especially Los Angeles, are filled with the most beautiful women and men from all over the world, flocking to this city in the hope of getting an offer to act and become famous. A fifth of the people on the American Forbes list live in this state.

This is the habitat of beauticians, stylists, hairdressers, plastic surgeons and doctors. Criminal structures also earn here. The state legally allows the use of soft drugs for medical purposes. Accordingly, soft drugs are sold legally and it is not difficult to buy them. Because U.S. laws allow every adult citizen to carry a gun, gunfights in diaspora neighborhoods are not uncommon.

However, there are areas, such as Pasadena, where it is impossible for African Americans to buy property. Due to the fact that each applicant is required to pass a selection and an interview, residents weed out those who do not want to see as neighbors.

America is a country with a developed banking system. Almost all real estate is bought on credit, on a mortgage. At the same time, the conditions are so sparing that for Russians they seem like a gift from heaven. However, Americans do not get tired of complaining about increased rates up to 5%. In the US, this is called robbery in broad daylight, but Americans simply have no idea how things are with this in other countries, in particular, in Russia.

Also, due to the fact that all transactions go through bank cards, only representatives of criminal structures buy houses for cash. Russians, with their dislike of banks and innate distrust of any state system, always find it easier to pay in cash. It’s worth remembering right away that in 100% of cases, real estate will certainly be sold to you. However, after the transaction is completed, they will definitely be reported to the tax office. There is no need to be offended here, for the Western mentality this is absolutely normal and natural. You just need to be prepared for certain things and try to use your bank card more often.

In the United States, it is customary to get to know your neighbors immediately after buying a house. This will not only allow them and you to get to know each other better, but it will also help you find workers who will maintain, for example, your palm trees or clean the pool. Palm leaves and in general all plants in the garden grow at a frantic pace due to the climate. If you do not follow them, you may be fined for violating the beauty and integrity of the street. It is better to clarify in advance what penalties are possible in all situations. You may not be told about them at all, as it is natural for local residents. In general, communication with neighbors is useful not only for your social integration, but also for children.

Before choosing a house, check in which area it is located, or even better, go to the place and see with your own eyes. Never trust realtors, check everything yourself. Show the contract to your lawyer. If you still don't have a personal lawyer, this is a great reason to hire one. It is better to pay him once than to pay much more after the trial. Check the history of the house, its previous owners, talk to potential neighbors.

Get home insurance right away. Americans cannot live without insurance, and they do it right. The state is a seismically active zone, houses are built mainly of drywall or other similar lightweight materials, and therefore tend to quickly collapse. However, you need to insure against everything: from natural disasters, from fires, from robbery, and so on and so forth.

So, if you want to enjoy life in sunny California, following the example of show business stars, follow these simple rules, and you will be able to find excellent housing in the most economically developed state of the country without any problems.

California has 58 counties and 480 cities. The state is home to the largest county in the United States, San Bernardino. State law does not distinguish between the use of the terms "city" and "town", all cities have the same status, but 458 are used in the name "City of (Name)", and 22 - "Town of (Name)". According to the method of government, cities are divided into those governed in accordance with the laws of the state and those having their own charters. All of the top ten largest cities have charters.

Sacramento was the first city to receive status on February 27, 1850. The youngest city of Minifi received the status on October 1, 2008.

Most cities in California are organized into city statistical and budget areas. More than two-thirds of the state's population lives in the three largest metropolitan areas: Greater Los Angeles, the San Francisco Bay Area, and the Riverside-San Bernardino area.

Ten largest cities in California:

Los Angeles (Los Angeles). County of Los Angeles. Population - 3,831,868 people

The largest city in California, the second largest city in the United States. World cultural, technological, scientific and financial center. The county seat of Los Angeles. Center of the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Santa Ana agglomeration. Commonly known as the "City of Angels" (City of Angeles), the abbreviation L.A. is often used. Los Angeles is a world class city. The strongest economy is based on international trade, entertainment, manufacturing and tourism. In addition, an important role belongs to the financial and telecommunications sectors of the economy, medicine, transport and jurisprudence. The Port of Los Angeles is the 5th busiest in the world, and the economy is 3rd in the US (after New York and Chicago) and 8th worldwide.

San Diego County of San Diego. Population - 1,306,300 people

Located on the border with Mexico. The eighth most populous city in the United States. The county seat of San Diego County. From the west, the city is bounded by the Pacific Ocean, and from the south by Mexico. The city tram runs all the way to the border. It is the oldest city on the West Coast of the United States. The harbor was discovered in 1542 by the Portuguese navigator Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo. And the date of foundation of San Diego is the opening of the Franciscan mission in 1769. The city has many attractions one way or another connected with history. For example, on the Coronado Peninsula, there is the oldest hotel on this coast with the same name.

San Jose, Santa Clara County. Population - 964,695 people

Located in the southern part of the San Francisco Bay Area. Tenth most populous city in the United States. Originally called El Pueblo de San Jose "de Guadalupe, San Jose was founded on November 29, 1777 as the first city in the Spanish colony of New California (Nueva California), after which it was renamed High (Northern) California (Alta California). The actual center of the "Silicon valley", a major high-tech center. Many information technology companies are headquartered here, including Cisco Systems, Adobe Systems, BEA Systems, eBay, KLA Tencor. The county seat of Santa Clara County.

San Francisco County of San Francisco. Population - 815 358 people

One of the most important cities in the San Francisco Bay Area. The second most densely populated city in the United States. San Francisco is a world tourist destination, known for its cold summer fogs, steep hills and mix of Victorian and modern architecture. City attractions include the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz Island, the cable car system, Coit Tower and Chinatown. The county seat of San Francisco.

Fresno Fresno County. Population - 479,918 people

Fresno California's largest landlocked city. Located in the California Valley. Major agricultural center. The county seat of Fresno County. The city is the cultural and economic center of the second largest urban agglomeration in the California Valley.

Sacramento County of Sacramento. Population - 466,676

Sacramento The capital of the State of California and the County of Sacramento. Located in the California Valley. During the California Gold Rush of 1849, Sacramento became the center of the mining district. In 1863, it was from Sacramento that construction began on the first US railroad, the Central Pacific Railroad. And since the end of 1940, the rapid growth of the industry of the city and the growth of its population began. In the center of the capital is the California State Capitol - a government building that surrounds the park (Capitol Park), covering an area of ​​16 hectares. And initially, the city began to build up along the eastern bank of the Sacramento River. And during 1800 the first urban structure was founded here. Now this area of ​​old buildings and factories is called Old Sacramento (Old Sacramento).

Long Beach Los Angeles County. Population - 462,604 people

One of the largest seaports in the world, an important industrial center. Part of the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Santa Ana metropolitan area. The city has a very developed oil industry, oil is found both under the earth's surface and under the surface of the seabed. The city is home to various businesses, factories manufacturing aircraft, car parts, electronics and home furnishings. Long Beach is home to the headquarters of Epson's US division, Molina Healthcare. The development of high technologies and the aerospace industry contributed to the formation of the city.

Oakland Alameda County. Population - 409 189 people

The county seat of Alameda County. One of the cities of the San Francisco Bay Area, an important seaport. According to the US Census Bureau, the city covers an area of ​​202.4 km^(2) (of which 145.2 km^(2) is mainland and 57.2 km^(2) is water). Two thirds of the territory is occupied by a plain adjacent to the bay and one third is located on the hills. One of the attractions of Oakland is Lake Merritt, the largest salt lake in the United States, located within the city.

Santa Ana Orange County. Population - 340,338 people

Located at a distance of about 16 km east of the Pacific coast. The county seat of Orange County. Part of the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Santa Ana metropolitan area. The Santa Ana River flows through the city (depending on the season).

Anaheim, Orange County. Population - 337,896 people

Located 45 kilometers south of Los Angeles, it is the 10th largest in California and 56th in the US. Anaheim is the second most populated in Orange County after Santa Ana, but the largest in area. The city is known for its amusement parks, sports teams and convention centers. The city is home to Disneyland.

California has a huge number of well-known tourist routes and destinations, but in the third largest state of the USA there are many little-known small but very interesting towns that are worth visiting.

The list of such was compiled by The Crazy Tourist.

1. Arcata

It seems that this city is a reduced copy of the whole of California. It has a multinational population, part of the city is urban, and part resembles the countryside, in addition, it is located at the junction of different climatic zones.

Visitors love to relax on the spectacular local beaches, walk through the redwood forests and admire the city streets and squares.

2 Avalon

It is the southernmost city in Los Angeles County and was once part of the Gabrielino/Tongva tribe.

Houses on the hills, lush vegetation and beautiful beaches attract visitors to the city. It's hard to believe, but this town of 4,000 people is visited annually by about a million tourists to take part in the outdoor recreational activities that often take place on the territory of Avalon.

3. Carmel-by-the-Sea

This European-style city is known for its libraries and museums. All visitors to the city fall in love with its cottages, which look like the homes of Disney cartoon characters.

4 Dunsmoor

Tourists describe this city as a calm and secluded mountain paradise. One gets the impression that time has stopped in this city - everything here resembles California at the beginning of the 20th century.

It will be a real find for lovers of outdoor recreation: here you can go rock climbing, go mountain hiking, mountain biking or skiing.

5. Ferndale

With only 1.5 thousand inhabitants, this town resembles a cozy Victorian village.

Main Street is listed on the US Historic Register and boasts dozens of Victorian houses.

This beauty is surrounded on all sides by redwood forests.

6. Grover Beach

It is warm and sunny all year round, with very little rainfall, so you can enjoy the beach at any time of the year. And the proximity of the mountains and low prices make this place just a paradise for tourists. When visiting this city, you should definitely look into Monarch Grove, where you can admire the royal butterflies.

7. Julian

This town was founded by gold seekers. Now tourists visit it to feel the history, as well as admire the oak and coniferous forests around the town.

There are many museums, galleries and cafes here, in some of them visitors will even be given a master class on making cider.

8. Sonoma

It is a historic place, a paradise for food lovers and a dream for nature lovers.

There is a lot of Mexican colonial architecture here, and even the layout of the streets has remained intact from those historical times.

9. Nevada City

Once this place was the center of the gold rush, now it can be called a symbol of natural idyll.

Set against a charming natural backdrop, this city is home to many Victorian-style buildings.

10. El Segundo

This is a very cozy beach, where there are usually few tourists due to rather strong waves, which makes this city an ideal place for those who want to escape from the hustle and bustle of megacities.

11. Ojai

The quiet location with charming views is also great for those who want to take a break from the big city.

In addition to Spanish-style architecture, this city is known for its quality organic produce and the oranges grown here.

12. Montagu

The town, located between the mountains, has a huge number of vineyards and wine shops. In addition, this place is famous for its treats for every taste. Here you can often meet writers and other creative people who come here for inspiration.

14. Los Alamitos

This city is known for sugar beets and water polo, no matter how strange this combination may look at first glance.

Los Alamitos developed from a sugar beet ranch that was founded in the 19th century.

A little later, the main water polo competitions began to be hosted here, since the US National Water Polo Center is located in the city.

15. Healdsburg

This city is famous for its wineries and old-fashioned enchanters. In addition, there is the Russian River, where you can swim, fish or go canoeing.

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Cities in California

Despite the vast mountainous areas of California, the economic life of the state is concentrated in the lower reaches of the valley, where four of the twenty largest cities in the United States are located: Los Angeles, San Diego, San Jose and San Francisco.

The capital of California is the city of Sacramento (Sacramento), in the metropolis of which 1340 thousand people live. During the California Gold Rush of 1849, Sacramento became the center of the mining district.

Los Angeles is California's largest city and the largest production center for what the world calls the American Dream. Famous Hollywood stars drive around these very streets in luxury cars.

The sixth largest city in the United States is San Diego, California - the most important base of the US Navy. On the territory of the city park Balboa Park there are many museums, botanical gardens and the famous San Diego Zoo.

The California city of San Francisco is one of the most beautiful, interesting and huge centers of culture, the financial world and manufacturing in the United States. The funicular city tram, the fabulous Chinatown district and the beautiful green hills on which Frisco is located envelop visitors to the city with the inimitable charm and charm of San Francisco.