Because California has the greatest diversity of climate and terrain, the state has six life zones which are the lower Sonoran (desert); upper Sonoran (foothill regions and some coastal lands), transition (coastal areas and moist northeastern counties); and the Canadian, Hudsonian, and Arctic Zones, comprising the state's highest elevations. California. Whitney) and the lowest point (Death Valley) in the continental United States. The economy of California is large enough to be comparable to that of the largest of countries. This was the beginning of the huge farming business that California has today. The entire west coast of California touches the Pacific Ocean, resulting in natural treasure troves. The name comes from Las sergas de Espladián (Adventures of Spladian), a 16th century book by Garci Rodríguez de Montalvo, where there is an island paradise called California. In 2010, the Modern Language Association of America estimated that 57.02% (19,429,309) of California residents age 5 and older spoke only English at home, while 42.98% spoke another primary language at home. Just before the "Dot Com Bust" California had the 5th largest economy in the world among nations. The capital is Sacramento. The males’ heads are black with white stripes. Weather in Los Angeles is not always what visitors expect. Common birds include the owl, roadrunner, cactus wren, and various species of hawk. The California Trail also spanned across the west of the United States. Spread out over 100 acres, this is an amusement and water park where you can spend the day riding roller coasters, seeing live … The Central Valley i… California grows 99.5% of all dates grown in the United States, Fresno, California is the Raisin Capital of the World. California is part of the Nearctic ecozone and spans a number of terrestrial ecoregions. There are days in May, June, and July when the beach cities are foggy all day, making the beach communities look more like London than California. California is often geographically bisected into two regions, Southern California, comprising the 10 southernmost counties, and Northern California, comprising the 48 northernmost counties. The fauna found throughout several zones are the mule deer, coyote, mountain lion, northern flicker, and several species of hawk and sparrow. These men flew a "Bear flag" that had a golden bear with a star on it. Tanbark oak, California laurel, sugar pine, madrona, broad-leaved maple, and Douglas-fir also grow here. But in 1869, the connection got better quickly, because the first railroad across the continent was finished. The first European who saw the entire coast was Sir Francis Drake, in 1579, and he decided that the British owned it. The Spanish called the part of the land that later became part of the United States Alta California (Upper California) when it was split from what became Baja California (Lower California). When Mexico was no longer controlled by Spain, the Mexican government took over the villages, and they soon became empty. And the biggest cities in California (Los Angeles, San Francisco, and San Diego) all touch the coastline and are famous for their … The condor is one of the heaviest birds of North America—second only to trumpeter swan. In addition, amphibians such as the water puppy and redwood salamander are common too. Map of the United States with California highlighted, A forest of redwood trees in Redwood National Park, Aerial view of the California Central Valley, Potato Harbor, named for its distinctive ovular and bumpy shape, on Santa Cruz Island, The coastline along Laguna Beach in Southern California, still seen as a symbol of California's economic style. Farming-related sales more than quadrupled over the past three decades. The western part of the part given to the United States became today's state of California. The Sierra Nevada (Spanish for "snowy range") includes the highest peak in the contiguous 48 states, Mount Whitney, at 14,505 feet (4,421 m). In the western part of the state is Clear Lake, the largest freshwater lake by area entirely in California. Both valleys derive their names from the rivers that flow through them. From agriculture to technology to movie-making, Californians keep busy while enjoying some of the most stunning scenery around. Shortened forms of the state's name include CA, Cal., Calif.. Find more California facts … In 1849, gold was suddenly found and the number of people went up very fast as the Gold Rush took hold. These majestic trees fascinate me, and I bet you’ll discover a few surprising redwood tree facts you didn’t know! In 1940, the Census Bureau reported California's population as 6.0% Hispanic, 2.4% Asian, and 89.5% non-Hispanic white. 2020 National Geographic Partners, LLC. This phenomenon is known as "June Gloom." By population, it is the largest state in the US while by area, it is the third largest state of the US. Capital: Sacramento. A majority of California's cities are located in either the San Francisco Bay Area or the Sacramento metropolitan area in Northern California; or the Los Angeles area, the Riverside-San Bernardino-Inland Empire, or the San Diego metropolitan area in Southern California. Meanwhile, more people in California were learning that the land there was very good to grow fruit and other crops. Key Facts & Information BEGINNINGS. California Facts, Map and State Symbols: California Flag Printout/Quiz Large Flag Printable: California was the 31 st state in the USA; it was... California Facts for Children | A to Z Kids Stuff California's mountains produce rain shadows on the eastern side, creating extensive deserts. Water from the Delta provides drinking water for nearly 23 million people, almost two-thirds of the state's population as well as water for farmers on the west side of the San Joaquin Valley. In 1848, there were about 4,000 Spanish-speaking people in today's California on the American side. Principal mammals found in this region include the Sierra coney, white-tailed jackrabbit, and the bighorn sheep. California Poppy (Eschscholzia californica)State Tree Redwood - Coast redwood (Sequoia sempervirens) and Giant redwood (S. gigantea)The redwood is the tallest tree, growing up to 370 feet (113 m) tall and living for over a thousand years. See the fact file below for more information about California or download the comprehensive worksheet collection to utilise within the classroom or home environment. 1. The governor and legislature of California are in Sacramento. Agriculture is an important sector in California's economy. In 1850, California became a state in the Union (the United States). In these early times, the borders of the Sea of Cortez and the Pacific coast were not well known, so the old maps wrongly showed California to be an island. Some important facts about California are highlighted in the lists below. Mayflower Lesson for Kids: History & Facts 3:14 California Missions Lesson for Kids: Facts & System 3:45 4:28 Next Lesson. It only had a single adobe hut at the time. About 37,000 earthquakes are recorded each year, but most are too small to be felt. California is home to many tourist attractions including Disneyland, the San Diego Zoo, Lego Land, and Yosemite National Park. 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