California
Only Alaska and Texas are bigger than the Golden State, which looms even larger in pop culture's imagination - yes, there are palm trees, pacific beaches and movie stars, but also a cutting-edge urban scene, high-tech innovation and a life-bringing wave of ethnically diverse immigrants.

History In A Nutshell
When Spanish conquistador Juan Rodriquez Cabrilo sailed up in 1542, Native Americans were thriving, in 1769 the Spanish military returned to establish missions from san Diego to Sonoma. After Mexico won independence in 1821, Alta California was divided into land grants called ranchos. The USA assumed control in 1848, the same year gold was discovered at Sutter's Creek. California was soon flooded by miners and pioneer settlers, and in 1850 became the 31st state.

Cuisine
French agricultural bounty -from fertile valleys, fruitful vineyards, orchards and the sea - oputs local, organic and seasonal cooking first. An increasing number of ecoconscious "locavores" eat only food that was grown within 100 miles of their homes. California's multicultural population means that anything might appear on dinner plates here - French cassoulet to Spanish paella. Moroccan stews to Burmese curry. Southern soul food to Oaxacan mole sauces. California is also the birthplace of the fast-food burger joint, a tradition carried out today by beloved in and out burger.

Economy
If California were an independent country, its economy would rank as the eight-largest in the world, comparable with Italy. Industry is comfortably diversified, led by high-tech and scientific research and development, followed by agriculture. Tourism and the media and entertainment industry are also economic pillars, and foreign trade and Asia, Europe, Mexico and Canada is an economic boon. Housing is this increasingly crowded state costs almost double the national norm, even though Californian's incomes are only 10% above the US average.

Did you know?
Only one out of every four Californians has ever tried surfing. 63% of Californians admit to having hugged a tree. The highest temperature ever recorded in the Western Hemisphere was at Death Valley: 134°F  on July 10, 1913.

Trademarks
Hollywood, Disneyland, Beaches and surfing, Golden Gate Bridge, Vineyards and wineries, Hippies, Arnold Schwarzenegger
aka "The Governator"

Best Time to Go: August to November - warm, dry  'Indian summer' days and vineyard grape harvests.
State Bird: California quail
Population: 36.5 Million
State Flower: California Poppy
Capital City: Sacramento
Motto: Eureka! I have found it
Nickname: Golden State
Major Industry: Technology



California State Flag