California is nicknamed the Golden
State for a number of reasons. The discovery of gold in 1848 brought wealth and
many people to the region. Its green fields turn golden brown in the dry seasons
of summer and fall, when little rain falls. Golden poppies dot the fields in
spring and summer. California is also famous for its golden sunshine.
Capital | Sacramento |
Population | 36,600,000 people |
Rank among states in population | 1st |
Major cities | Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego |
Area | 164,000 square miles 424,000 square kilometers |
Rank among states in area | 3rd |
Statehood | September 9, 1850, the 31st state |
State nickname | The Golden State |
Name for residents | Californians |
State bird | California Quail |
State flower | California Poppy |
State tree | California Redwood |
Abbreviation | CA |
A BIG AND BUSY STATE
About 37 million people live in
California. That’s more than in any other state. Many people moved to California
in the second half of the 1900s. From 1950 to 2000, the state’s population more
than tripled. California ranks third in size among the states. Only Alaska and
Texas cover a bigger area.
California also leads the United
States in farming and manufacturing. Its huge farms produce more food than farms
in any other state. Its factories produce more income than factories in any
other state.
LOS ANGELES AND SAN FRANCISCO
Most of California’s people live
in southern California or near San Francisco Bay. Los Angeles in southern
California is the state’s largest city and the second largest city in the United
States. Only New York City has more people.
Los Angeles is the home of the
entertainment industry. Movies and television shows are made here. Many people
picture palm trees, swimming pools, and beaches when they think of Los Angeles.
But the city also suffers from heavy traffic and air pollution.
San Francisco is one of the most
beautiful U.S. cities. It’s located on hills on a narrow peninsula with water on
three sides. The city’s many different neighborhoods are fun to visit.
Chinatown, for example, has colorful buildings, fine Chinese restaurants, and
many shops. Alcatraz is an island with a prison that once housed the nation’s
most dangerous criminals.
A TOURIST PARADISE
California’s sunny climate, long
coastline, and natural beauty have made it the most popular tourist state in the
United States. California has 8 national parks and 20 national forests, more
than any other state.
Yosemite National Park is one of
the most visited parks. It’s famous for its waterfalls and granite cliffs. Many
rock climbers go to Yosemite to climb a rock wall named El Capitan. Yosemite is
in the Sierra Nevada, a mountain range along California’s eastern border.
Point Reyes National Seashore is
on a peninsula north of San Francisco. It’s a good place to see harbor seals,
sea lions, and many kinds of birds. Big Sur is a stretch of rugged coastline and
wilderness south of Monterey.
Disneyland in Anaheim is another
California tourist attraction. This large amusement park was created by
cartoonist Walt Disney. It features a fairyland castle, a haunted mansion, a
jungle safari, and many other attractions and rides.
San Diego has a world-famous zoo.
As you wander through its Rain Forest Aviary, brightly colored tropical birds
fly by. You’ll think you’re on safari in its outdoor Wild Animal Park, north of
San Diego. Sea World in San Diego is a great place to watch whales and dolphins
perform. You can also get close to sharks, penguins, and other sea animals.
GOLD RUSH DAYS
In January 1848, gold was
discovered at a California sawmill owned by John Sutter. The news traveled
quickly. Soon gold hunters were heading for California to make their fortunes.
Most of the gold hunters arrived in 1849 and so were called Forty-Niners.
At first, people could pick up
gold from the ground. But such easy pickings soon ran out. A few people became
very rich. Most people weren’t so lucky. Life was hard and violent, prices for
food and equipment were cruelly high, and many disappointed gold hunters lacked
the money to get back home. Of the 100,000 Forty-Niners, about 10,000
prospectors died from disease.
Today, you can visit Sutter’s
Fort, where gold was discovered, in Sacramento, California.
U.S. TERRITORY AND STATEHOOD
California once belonged to
Mexico. But in 1846, the United States claimed it. War with Mexico followed. The
treaty that ended the war in 1848 gave California to the United States.
The gold rush helped California
reach the population of 60,000 it needed to become a state. California became
the 31st state on September 9, 1850. Sacramento became the state capital in
1854.
SAN ANDREAS FAULT
A huge crack in Earth’s crust
(outermost layer) runs through California. It’s called the San Andreas Fault.
The fault, or crack, occurs where two of the plates that make up the crust meet.
(Plates are massive sections of rock in the Earth.) The two plates are gradually
sliding past one another. Sometimes their motion causes earthquakes. California
has many earthquakes, and some of them are very serious.
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