California
The Golden State
Capital: Sacramento
Statehood: 1850 (the 31st state)
Size: About 163,696 square miles (423,970 sq km) - the 3rd largest state.
Capital population: Sacramento has about 525,000 people.
State population: About 39 million people - the most of any state.See the 10 biggest cities →State bird: California Quail
State tree: California Redwood
State flower: California Poppy
Climate
Mostly mild and Mediterranean near the coast, with warm dry summers and cool wet winters; hot deserts and snowy mountains inland.
Main industries
Technology in Silicon Valley, film in Hollywood, and huge farming: grapes and wine, oranges, almonds, and vegetables from the Central Valley.
Top places for tourists
Yosemite National Park, Disneyland, the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, and Hollywood.
Places of interest
Alcatraz Island, the Griffith Observatory, and the giant sequoia trees.
A little history
Once ruled by Spain and Mexico, California joined the U.S. in 1850 during the Gold Rush and grew into the most populous state.
Fun fact
California grows most of the fruits, vegetables, and nuts eaten in the United States.