Map of California Although California was sighted by Spanish navigator Juan Rodríguez Cabrillo in 1542, its first Spanish mission (at San Diego) was not established until California became a U.S. territory in 1847 when Mexico surrendered it to John C. Frémont. On Jan. 24, 1848, James W. Marshall discovered gold at Sutter's Mill, starting the California Gold Rush and bringing settlers to the state in large numbers. By 1964, California had surpassed New York to become the most populous state. One reason for this may be that more immigrants settle in California than any other state—more than one-third of the nation's total in 199 State Abbreviation - CA State Capital - Sacramento Other Notable Cities - Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco Area - 163,707 square miles [California is the 3rd biggest state in the USA - only Alaska and Texas are bigger] Population - 33,871,648 (as of 2000) [California is the most populous state in the USA] Name for Residents - Californians Major Industries - agriculture (many, many products), oil, mining, electronics, movie making/entertainment, and tourism Presidential Birthplace - Richard Milhous Nixon was born in Yorba Linda on January 9, 1913 (he was the 37th US President, serving from 1969 to 1974). Main Rivers - Sacramento River, Colorado River, San Joaquin River Highest Point - Mt. Whitney, 14,495 feet (4,418 m) above sea level Lowest Point - Death Valley, 282 feet (86 m) below sea level [this is the lowest point in the Western Hemisphere] Number of Counties - 58 Bordering States - Oregon, Nevada, Arizona Bordering Country - Mexico Bordering Body of Water - Pacific Ocean Origin of the Name California - The name California comes from a mythical Spanish island ruled by a queen called Califia that was featured in a Spanish romance ("Las Sergas de Esplandian") written by Garcia Ordonez de Montalvo in The Spanish explorers originally thought that California was an island. State Nickname - The Golden State State Motto - Eureka (I have found it) State Song - "I Love You, California" 4. Asians and Pacific Islanders led the influx.Juan Rodríguez CabrilloSan DiegoCalifornia Gold Rush3rd biggest stateTexas33,871,648OregonNevadaArizonaMexico Leading industries include agriculture, manufacturing (transportation equipment, machinery, and electronic equipment), biotechnology, aerospace- defense, and tourism. Principal natural resources include timber, petroleum, cement, and natural gas. Death ValleyDeath Valley, in the southeast, is 282 ft below sea level, the lowest point in the nation. Mt. Whitney (14,491 ft) is the highest point in the contiguous 48 states. Lassen Peak is one of two active U.S. volcanoes outside of Alaska and Hawaii; its last eruptions were recorded in 1917.Mt. WhitneyLassen Peak Other points of interest include Yosemite National Park, Disneyland, Hollywood, the Golden Gate Bridge, Sequoia National Park, San Simeon State Park, and Point Reyes National Seashore.Yosemite National ParkDisneylandHollywoodGolden Gate BridgeSequoia National ParkPoint Reyes National Seashore Read more: California: History, Geography, Population, & State California: History, Geography, Population, & State

Between California's explosive growth following the discovery of gold in 1848, the fields of golden poppies that appear each spring throughout the state, the golden gate bridge, and the clear, golden coastal sunsets over the Pacific - California truly is the golden state! Gold is also one of California's official state colors.goldgolden poppiesstate colors

Written by F. B. Silverwood Composed by A. F. Frankenstein I love you, California, you're the greatest state of all I love you in the winter, summer, spring, and in the fall. I love your fertile valleys; your dear mountains I adore, I love your grand old ocean and I love her rugged shore. chorus I love your redwood forests - love your fields of yellow grain, I love your summer breezes, and I love your winter rain, I love you, land of flowers; land of honey, fruit and wine, I love you, California; you have won this heart of mine. chorus I love your old gray Missions - love your vineyards streteching far, I love you, California, with your Golden Gate ajar, I love your purple sunsets, love your skies of azure blue, I love you, California; I just can't help loving you. chorus I love you, Catalina - you are very dear to me, I love you, Tamalpais, and I love Yosemite, I love you, Land of Sunshine, half your beauties are untold, I loved you in my childhood, and I'll love you when I'm old. chorus When the snow crowned Golden Sierras Keep their watch o'er the valleys bloom. It is there I would be in our land by the sea, Ev'ry breeze bearing rich perfume, It is here nature gives of her rarest, It is Home Sweet Home to me. And I know when I die I shall breathe my last sigh For my sunny California

California Historical Landmarks are sites, buildings, features, or events that are of statewide significance and have anthropological, cultural, military, political, architectural, economic, scientific or technical, religious, experimental, or other value. The specific standards now in use were first applied in the designation of Landmark # 770. California Historical Landmarks #770 and above are automatically listed in the California Register of Historical Resources. To be designated as a California Historical Landmark, a resource must meet at least one of the criteria listed below; have the approval of the property owner(s); be recommended by the State Historical Resources Commission; and be officially designated by the Director of California State Parks. If a site is primarily of local interest, it may meet the criteria for the California Points of Historical Interest Program.California Register of Historical ResourcesState Historical Resources CommissionCalifornia Points of Historical Interest Program.