California, US

California is a state in the western region of the United States. It is the most populous U.S. state and the third-largest by area. The state capital is Sacramento.

Geography

California is bordered by Oregon to the north, Nevada to the east and northeast, Arizona to the southeast, the Pacific Ocean to the west and it shares an international border with the Mexican state of Baja California to the south. The state's diverse geography ranges from the Pacific Coast in the west to the Sierra Nevada mountain range in the east, and from the redwood and Douglas fir forests in the northwest to the Mojave Desert in the southeast.

History

The area became a part of Mexico in 1821 following its successful war for independence, but was ceded to the United States in 1848 after the Mexican–American War. The western portion of Alta California was then organized and admitted as the 31st state on September 9, 1850.

Economy

California's economy, with a gross state product of $3.0 trillion, is the largest sub-national economy in the world. If it were a country, California would be the fifth-largest economy in the world, and the 37th-most populous. The state's economy is centered on finance, government, real estate services, technology, and professional, scientific, and technical business services; together comprising 58% of the state's economy.

Culture

California is known for its diverse culture and is considered a global trendsetter in popular culture, innovation, environmentalism, and politics. It is the origin of the American film industry, the hippie counterculture, fast food, beach and car culture, the Internet, and the personal computer.

See also

• List of cities and towns in California
• California Gold Rush
• Silicon Valley

California, US
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