Officially nicknamed the “Golden State,” California enjoys a reputation for being one of the country’s most diverse states. With an estimated population of 36 million, this diversity is evident in the people, the landscape, the culture and the economy. Sprawling over 163,707 square miles at the western edge of the U.S., the California landscape incorporates dry deserts, lush forests, strong mountain peaks, grassy valleys, shimmering lakes and sandy beaches.
      The state’s 800-plus miles of coastline along the Pacific Ocean may be its most famous physical feature, marking the end of what was once considered the last frontier. The Coastal Mountain Ranges run parallel to the coastline in the northern two-thirds of the state and are made of up of many small mountain ranges separated by valley pockets, including Napa Valley and Salinas Valley.
      The most significant mountain range in California is the Sierra Nevadas. Here, Mt. Whitney, California’s highest point rises 14,494 feet into the sky. Between the Sierra Nevada and the Coastal Ranges lies California’s Central Valley, one of the country’s most productive farming areas.

Did You Know...

State Nickname: The Golden State State Capital: Sacramento State Flower: Golden Poppy State Bird: California Valley Quail

      Southern California is physically defined by smaller mountain ranges, specifically the Los Angeles Ranges and the San Diego Ranges, as well as an expansive desert wasteland known as Death Valley.
      Though California is known for its year-round sunshine, the climate does vary throughout the state. Coastal areas are cool and mild, particularly in Northern California, while some inland communities can be stiflingly warm. Rainfall is typically concentrated in the winter and spring months.
      Notable points of interest include Disneyland, Hollywood, San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge, California Wine Country, Sea World in San Diego and the national parks. Among the most popular are Yosemite National Park, Kings Canyon-Sequoia National Park

and Redwood National Park, both of which protect some of the world’s largest trees.
      California’s major cities are: Sacramento, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Long Beach, San Diego and Anaheim. Also significant is Hollywood, known for being the heart of the television and film industry.
      California’s economy is as complex as its people. Agriculture is far and away the largest industry in the state, followed by aerospace, entertainment, manufacturing and mining. The gross state product, $1.5 trillion in 2005, exceeds that of every other U.S. state and most of the world’s countries. Some of the largest employers in California include San Diego’s 32nd St. Naval Station, University of California Los Angeles, University of California Davis, Edwards Air Force Base, Sharp Memorial Hospital and Edison International.

The housing market in California presents buyers with a huge range of property and community types. Clean and modern urban lofts, traditional homes in master-planned neighborhoods, beachfront vacation homes and wide-open horse ranches are all part of what California has to offer. Housing prices have been particularly strong in recent years, as demand outpaces the supply. In May of 2006, the median home price was $564,430, which is 8 percent higher than it was a year ago.
      California also has some of the best public universities in the world. The University of California (UC) system is heavily focused on research and holds the distinction of employing more Nobel Prize winners than any other organization. UCLA, UC Berkeley, UC San Francisco and Hastings College of Law are part of this system. The other major public university system is the country’s largest, California State University (CSU). There are also more than 100 community colleges and hundreds of private universities and vocational training schools in California. The best known private universities are USC, Stanford and Caltech.
      California’s transportation infrastructure is well-developed, but lacking sufficient public transportation options in some areas. The interlocking system of highways is used heavily, often causing traffic problems during rush hour in the urban areas. In Southern California, the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority oversees bus routes, a light rail transit system and a commuter rail system that links to neighboring counties. San Francisco also has a light rail system, operated by San Francisco Municipal Railway. Amtrak (train) and Greyhound (bus) both operate intercity routes throughout the state.
      Air travel is facilitated primarily by Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and San Francisco International Airport (SFO), both serving as hubs for transcontinental traffic. Other important commercial airports in the state include Oakland International Airport (OAK), Burbank Airport (BUR), Long Beach Airport (LGB) and Santa Ana – John Wayne International Airport (SNA).