California THE GOLDEN STATE California’s state motto is Eureka I have found it That was the cry of miners striking it rich in 1849 triggering a rush of treasure hunters to the Golden State People today live in California for many reasons In the big cities the weather is usually pleasant with summers that aren’t too hot and winters that aren’t too cold There are natural wonders around every bend in the road from sun-scorched deserts to snow-capped mountains from sandy beaches to misty forests with trees that reach to the heavens The business climate is good in California too The state’s economy is one of the biggest in the world Millions of people are employed in industries such as aerospace and defense computer technology biotechnology plus film and television entertainment 4 CALIFORNIA
San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge is one of the most famous structures in the world It is 1 7 miles 2 7 km long and contains about 89,000 tons 80,739 metric tons of steel
California QUICK FACTS Name California comes from the name of Queen Califia a character in the Spanish romance novel Las Sergas de Esplandián The Adventures of Esplandián published in 1510 The queen ruled over a golden paradise State Capital Sacramento population 485,199 Date of Statehood September 9 1850 31st state Population 38,802,500 1st-most populous state Area Total Land and Water 163,695 square miles 423,968 sq km 3rd-largest state Largest City Los Angeles population 3,928,864 Nickname The Golden State Motto Eureka I have found it State Animal California Grizzly Bear State Bird California Valley Quail 6 CALIFORNIA
the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA California Poppy State Flower California Poppy State Rock Serpentine State Tree California Redwood State Song I Love You California Serpentine Redwood Trees Mount Whitney Highest Point Mount Whitney 14,505 feet 4,421 m Lowest Point Badwater Basin in Death Valley 282 feet 86 m below sea level lowest point in North America Average July High Temperature 90 F 32 C Record High Temperature 134 F 57 C in Death Valley on July 10 1913 Average January Low Temperature 35 F 2 C Record Low Temperature 45 F 43 C in Boca on January 20 1937 Average Annual Precipitation 23 inches 58 cm Number of U S Senators 2 Richard Nixon Number of U S Representatives 53 U S Presidents Born in California Richard Nixon 1913-1994 37th president U S Postal Service Abbreviation CA QUICK FACTS 7
