California, the state with the fastest growing population since 1850, is the most populous state. It is also the third largest; only Alaska and Texas surpass it. A Pacific state, California is bordered by Oregon to the north, Nevada and Arizona to the east, Mexico to the south, and the Pacific Ocean to the west.
You can see a varied and beautiful landscape that includes mountains, valleys, and waterfalls in California. The state shares the Sierra Nevada, a mountain range named after the highest mountain range in Spain, with the state of Nevada. Do you like tall things? Experience Mount Whitney, the highest mountain peak in the United States outside of Alaska. See the world's tallest tree, at about 370 feet; it lives in California's Redwood National Park.
In addition to its places of great heights, California also shares Death Valley, the lowest point in the Western Hemisphere, with Nevada. Be careful if you visit; temperatures can reach a deadly 134 degrees F. Besides Death Valley, California also contains Salinas Valley, where famous American author John Steinbeck's childhood experiences inspired many of his novels about the plight of poor farm workers. Experience the beauty of nature, including waterfalls, fantastic rock formations, and huge sequoias at Yosemite National Park.
There are many other tourist attractions in California. Visit the historic American West in Sacramento, the state's capital. The world famous San Diego Zoo is in California's oldest city. Ride a cable car, visit Fisherman's Warf, sway in the wind on the Golden Gate Bridge, or just enjoy the view from one of San Francisco's 43 hills. Surf in the Pacific Ocean or go on the rides at Disneyland. See where the country's worst criminals were imprisoned at Alcatraz. Drive on one of the world's largest freeway systems in Los Angeles, California's biggest city. Its surrounding communities run together and look so similar that the area has been described as "a hundred suburbs in search of a city."
California is famous for many things, including its production, history, attractions, and earthquakes. The state leads the nation in both the production of manufactured goods and agricultural output. Watch the latest computer innovations being developed in Silicon Valley. Experience the magic of moviemaking in Hollywood, the center of the motion picture and television industries.
Prospectors cried, "Eureka!" during the most famous gold rush of modern times in 1849. It is now the state motto. California is known as the "Golden State" because of the gold found there, its golden poppy flowers, and brilliant sunshine. Spanish explorers named the state in the 1500's after a treasure island in a famous Spanish story. The abbreviation for California is CA.
"Eureka!" hasn't been the only thing shouted by surprised Californians. Cries of "Earthquake!" and "Fire!" were heard in San Francisco on April 18, 1906. An earthquake in the city was one of the worst disasters in United States history. The quake resulted in fires that burned for three days. At least 3,000 people died, most of the city was destroyed, and there was over $500 million in damage. Some scientists fear that another catastrophic earthquake will occur along California's San Andreas Fault in the future.
Don't avoid California because of the threat of earthquakes. Millions of people continue to live in, move to, and visit California because of its beautiful landscape, pleasant climate, and popular tourist attractions.
