State Facts
California is one of the states in United States of America that is located at the country’s west coast along the Pacific Ocean. The state is bordered by the following states: Oregon to its north, Arizona at its southeast, Nevada at its east side and the Mexican state of Baja at its south part.
It is the most crowded state in the whole US as it is known as having the most varied climate and the most diverse people. Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco and San Jose are the states biggest cities.
California is the 3rd biggest US state in terms of land area as it reaches from Pacific coast all the way to the mountains of Sierra Nevada in its east and to the Mojave dessert around its southeast all the way to the Redwood – Douglas forest its northwest part. The very heart of the state is occupied by the Central Valley which largely the most productive in agricultural areas in the globe.
| California |
| Nickname |
The Golden State |
| Motto |
Eureka (I have found it!) |
| Before Statehood it was known as |
The California Republic |
| Official Languages |
English |
| Spoken Languages |
- English 57.59%
- Spanish 28.21%
|
| Capital |
Sacramento |
| Largest City |
Los Angeles |
| Largest Metro Area |
Greater Los Angeles |
| Ranked |
3rd (US) |
| Population Ranked |
1st (US) |
| Admission to Union |
September 9, 1850 |
| California State Insignia |
| Bird |
California Quail |
| Animal |
California Grizzly Bear |
| Fish |
Golden Trout |
| Insect / Butterfly |
California Dogface Butterfly |
| Flower |
California Puppy |
| Tree |
California Redwood |
| Song |
"I Love You, California" |
| Grass |
Purple Needle Grass |
| Reptile |
Desert Tortoise |
| Beverage |
Wine |
| Colors |
Blue and Gold |
| Dance |
West Coast Swing |
|
|
| Fossil |
Sabre – toothed cat |
| Gemstones |
Benitoite |
| Mineral |
Native Gold |
| Soil |
San Joaquin |
| Tartan |
California State Tartan |
Climate
The climate in the state always varies from the sub arctic to the Mediterranean. Although much of California adapt the Mediterranean climate together with its cool rainy winter season and its dry summer season.
The state’s northern part would average a higher yearly rainfall than the south part. The state’s mountain ranges also influence the climate of the whole state. The northwestern part of the state has a temperate climate while the Central Valley has a greater temperature than the coast. Its high mountains like Sierra Nevada experiences a mountain climate temperature with snow during its winter season and a mild to moderate heat during summer months. The state’s eastern side of the state drier climate as it experiences hot summers and almost frostless winters as the higher elevation of the eastern California deserts experiences cold winters and hot summers.
Population
California is regarded as the most populated state of the US and is ranked as the 13th fastest growing state of the country. It is ranked as 2nd only to São Paulo State as the most populous state in America. Over than 12% of all the US citizens are living in the state of California.
Out of 50 top US cities, California is the home of 8 leading cities in terms of its populations.
| California |
| Cities |
Rank |
| Los Angeles |
2nd |
| San Diego |
8th |
| San Jose |
10th |
| San Francisco |
14th |
| Long Beach |
34th |
| Fresno |
36th |
| Sacramento |
37th |
| Oakland |
44th |
Racial and its Ancestral Make – up
- 59.8% of White American
- 35.9% of Latino / Hispanic
- 12.3% of Asian American
- 6.2% of Black / African American
- 3.3% mixed
- 0.7% of American Indian (natives)
| Languages in California |
| English |
57.59% of residents |
| Spanish |
28.21% of residents |
- Chinese
- Cantonese
- Mandarin
|
1.59% of residents
- 0.63% of the Chinese residents
- 0.43% of the Chinese residents
|
| Filipino |
2.04% of the residents |
| Vietnamese |
1.4% of the residents |
| Korean |
1.05% of the residents |