California 5407 226186892 2008-07-17T06:16:10Z Supo1987 1341431 {{pp-move-vandalism|small=yes}} {{otheruses1|the U.S state}} {{Infobox U.S. state | Name = California | Former = California Republic | Former_flag = 1stBearFlag.svg | Fullname = State of California | Flag = Flag of California.svg | Flaglink = [[Flag of California]] | Seal = Seal of California.svg | Map = Map of USA CA.svg | Nickname = The Golden State | Demonym = Californian | Motto = [[Eureka (word)|Eureka!]]<ref name="motto">{{cite web |url=http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/cgi-bin/displaycode?section=gov&group=00001-01000&file=420-429.8 |title=Government Code Section 420-429.8 |accessdate=2007-02-26 |work=Official California Legislative Information}}</ref> | Capital = [[Sacramento, California|Sacramento]] | BorderingStates = [[Arizona]], [[Nevada]], [[Oregon]] | OfficialLang = [[English language|English]] | LargestCity = [[Los Angeles, California|Los Angeles]] | LargestMetro = [[Greater Los Angeles Area|Greater Los Angeles]] | LargestCounty = [[San Bernardino County, California|San Bernardino]] | Other Cities = [[San Francisco]], [[San Diego]], [[San Jose]], [[Oakland]], [[Long Beach]] | Governor = [[Arnold Schwarzenegger]] (R) | Lieutenant Governor = [[John Garamendi]] (D) | Senators = [[Dianne Feinstein]] (D)<br>[[Barbara Boxer]] (D) | PostalAbbreviation = CA | TradAbbreviation = Calif. | AreaRank = 3rd | TotalArea = 423,970 | TotalAreaUS = 163,696 | LandArea = 403 932 | LandAreaUS = 155,959 | WaterArea = 20,047 | WaterAreaUS = 7,740 | PCWater = 4.7 | PCForest = 35 | PCDesert = 25 | PopRank = 1st | 2000oldPop = 33,871,648 | 2000Pop = 36,553,215 (2007 est.) | 2004Pop(est) = 35,893,799 | 2003Pop = 35,484,453 | 2005Pop(est) = 36,132,147 | DensityRank = 12th | 2000Density = 90.27 | 2000DensityUS = 233.8 | MedianHouseholdIncome = US$49,894 | IncomeRank = 13th | AdmittanceOrder = 31st | AdmittanceDate = [[September 9]], [[1850]] | TimeZone = [[Pacific Time Zone|Pacific]]: [[Coordinated Universal Time|UTC]]-8/[[Daylight saving time|-7]] | Latitude = 32°&#8202;32′ N to 42° N | Longitude = 114°&#8202;8′ W to 124°&#8202;26′ W | Width = 400 | WidthUS = 250 | Length = 1,240 | LengthUS = 770 | HighestPoint = [[Mount Whitney]]<ref name="usgs"/> | HighestElev = 4,421 | HighestElevUS = 14,505 | MeanElev = 884 | MeanElevUS = 2,900 | LowestPoint = [[Death Valley]]<ref name="usgs"/> | LowestElev = -86 | LowestElevUS = -282 | ISOCode = US-CA | Website = ca.gov }} {{portal|California|WPCF.svg}} '''California''' ({{IPAEng|ˌkælɪˈfɔrnjə}}) is one of the fifty United States, located on the [[West Coast of the United States|West Coast]] of the [[United States]], along the [[Pacific Ocean]]. It is the [[List of U.S. states by population|most populous]] American State. Its four largest [[cities]] are [[Los Angeles, California|Los Angeles]], [[San Diego, California|San Diego]], [[San Jose, California|San Jose]], and [[San Francisco, California|San Francisco]]. It is known for its varied [[climate]] and [[geography]] as well as its [[Multiculturalism|diverse]] population. The area known as [[Alta California]] was colonized by the [[Spanish Empire]] beginning in the late 18<sup>th</sup> century. It and the rest of [[Mexico]] became an independent republic in 1821. In 1846 California broke away from Mexico, and after the [[Mexican-American War]], Mexico ceded California to the United States. It was admitted to the Union on [[September 9]], [[1850]]. It is the third-largest American State by land area. Its geography ranges from the Pacific coast to the [[Sierra Nevada (U.S.)|Sierra Nevada]] mountains in the east, to [[Mojave desert]] areas in the southeast and the [[Sequoia|Redwood]]-[[Douglas fir]] [[forest]]s of the northwest. The center of the state is dominated by the [[California Central Valley|Central Valley]], one of the most productive agricultural areas in the world. The [[California Gold Rush]] began in 1848, dramatically changing California with a large influx of people and an economic boom. The early 20th century was marked by Los Angeles becoming the center of the entertainment industry, in addition to the growth of a large tourism sector in the state. Along with California's prosperous [[Agriculture|agricultural]] industry, other industries include aerospace, petroleum, and computer and information technology. California ranks amongst the ten [[Comparison between U.S. states and countries nominal GDP#2005|largest economies in the world]], and were it a separate country, it would be 35th among the most [[List of countries by population|populous countries]], just behind [[Kenya]]. == Etymology == {{main|Origin of the name California}} {{US state insignia <!-- before modifying these state symbols please verify your changes against official California Government Code sections 420-429.8, http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/cgi-bin/waisgate?WAISdocID=06487414661+1+0+0&WAISaction=retrieve --> | Name = California | Flag = Flag of California.svg | Seal = California state seal.png | Nickname = The Golden State | Motto = [[Eureka (word)|Eureka!]] <small>(''I've found it!'')</small><ref name="motto"/> | Slogan = ''Find Yourself Here'' | Capital = [[Sacramento, California|Sacramento]] | Animal = [[Grizzly bear|California grizzly bear]] ([[Extinction|extinct/subspecies extinct in this range]]) [http://www.library.ca.gov/history/symbols.html] | Marine Mammal = [[Gray Whale]] | Beverage = [[Wine]] | Bird = [[California Quail]] | Butterfly = [[California Dogface Butterfly]] | Colors = [[Blue]] & [[Gold (color)|Gold]] | Dance = [[West Coast Swing]] | Fish = [[Golden Trout]] | Flower = [[California Poppy]] | FolkDance = [[Square dance]] | Fossil = [[Smilodon|Sabre-toothed cat]] | Gemstone = [[Benitoite]] | Grass = [[Stipa|Purple Needlegrass]] | Insect = [[California Dogface Butterfly]] | Marine Fish = [[Garibaldi]] | Mineral = [[Gold|Native Gold]] | Quarter = California quarter, reverse side, 2005.jpg | QuarterReleaseDate = 2005 | Reptile = [[Desert Tortoise]] | Tree = [[Sequoia|California Redwood]] | Wildflower = [[California Poppy]] | Rock = [[Serpentine]] | Song = "[[I Love You, California]]" | Soil = [[San Joaquin (soil)|San Joaquin]] | Tartan = [[California State Tartan]] }} The word ''California'' originally referred to the entire region composed of the current U.S. state of California, plus all or parts of [[Nevada]], [[Utah]], [[Arizona]], and [[Wyoming]], and the Mexican peninsula now known as [[Baja California (peninsula)|Baja California]]. The name ''California'' is most commonly believed to have derived from a storied paradise peopled by [[Black people|black]] [[Amazons]] and ruled by [[Queen Califia]]. The myth of Califia is recorded in a 1510 work ''[[Las sergas de Esplandián|The Exploits of Esplandian]]'', written as a sequel to ''[[Amadís de Gaula]]'' by Spanish adventure writer [[Garci Rodríguez de Montalvo|García Ordóñez Rodríguez de Montalvo]].<ref>{{cite book |last=Lavender |first=David |title=California: Land of New Beginnings |publisher=Univ. of Nebraska Press |date=1987 |pages=27 |isbn=0803279248}}</ref> The kingdom of Queen Califia, according to Montalvo, was said to be a remote land inhabited by [[griffin]]s and other strange beasts and rich in [[gold]]. {{cquote|Know ye that at the right hand of the Indies there is an island named California, very close to that part of the terrestrial Paradise, which was inhabited by black women, without a single man among them, and that they lived in the manner of Amazons. They were robust of body, with strong and passionate hearts and great virtues. The island itself is one of the wildest in the world on account of the bold and craggy rocks. Their weapons were all made of gold. The island everywhere abounds with gold and precious stones, and upon it no other metal was found.<ref>Person-Lynn, 2004.</ref>}} == Geography and environment == {{main|Geography of California}} [[Image:California's Central Valley.JPG|thumb|left|California's Central Valley, the agricultural hub of the state and the primary agricultural provider of the nation]] California adjoins the [[Pacific Ocean]], [[Oregon]], [[Nevada]], [[Arizona]], and the [[Mexico|Mexican]] state of [[Baja California]]. With an area of {{convert|160000|mi2|km2|-3|sp=us}} it is the third [[List of U.S. states by area|largest state in the United States]] in size, after Alaska and Texas. If it were a country, California would be the 59th [[List of countries and outlying territories by total area|largest in the world]], between [[Iraq]] and [[Paraguay]]. In the middle of the state lies the [[California Central Valley]], bounded by the [[Pacific Coast Ranges|coastal mountain ranges]] in the west, the [[Sierra Nevada (U.S.)|Sierra Nevada]] to the east, the [[Cascade Range]] in the north and the [[Tehachapi Mountains]] in the south. The Central Valley is California's agricultural heartland and grows approximately one-third of the nation's food.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.culturechange.org/cms/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=56&Itemid=32 |title=Lessons for California and the U.S. from movie "How Cuba survived Peak Oil" |publisher=Culture Change |author=Alice Friedemann |accessdate=2007-06-30}}</ref> Divided in two by the [[Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta]], the northern portion, the [[Sacramento Valley]] serves as the watershed of the [[Sacramento River]], while the southern portion, the [[San Joaquin Valley]] is the watershed for the [[San Joaquin River]]; both areas derive their names from the rivers that transit them. With dredging, the Sacramento and the San Joaquin Rivers have remained sufficiently deep that several inland cities are [[seaport]]s. The [[Sacramento River Delta|Sacramento-San Joaquin Bay Delta]] serves as a critical water supply hub for the state. Water is routed through an extensive network of canals and pumps out of the delta, that traverse nearly the length of the state, including the Central Valley Project, and the State Water Project. Water from the [[Sacramento River Delta|Sacramento-San Joaquin Bay Delta]] provides drinking water for nearly 23 million people, almost two-thirds of the state's population, and provides water to farmers on the west side of the San Joaquin Valley. The [[Channel Islands of California|Channel Islands]] are located off the [[Southern California|southern]] coast. [[Image:Tunnel view Yosemite.jpg|thumb|left|Yosemite Valley]] The Sierra Nevada ([[Spanish language|Spanish]] for "snowy range") include the highest peak in the contiguous forty-eight states, [[Mount Whitney]], at 14,505 ft (4,421 m).<ref name=usgs>{{cite web |date=[[29 April]] [[2005]] |url=http://erg.usgs.gov/isb/pubs/booklets/elvadist/elvadist.html#Highest |title=Elevations and Distances in the United States |publisher=U.S Geological Survey |accessmonthday=November 3 |accessyear=2006}}</ref> The range embraces [[Yosemite Valley]], famous for its glacially carved domes, and [[Sequoia National Park]], home to the [[giant sequoia]] trees, the largest living organisms on Earth, and the deep freshwater lake, [[Lake Tahoe]], the largest lake in the state by volume. The state is home to [[Mount Whitney]], the highest point in the [[contiguous United States]], as well as the second lowest and hottest place in the Western Hemisphere, [[Death Valley]]. To the east of the Sierra Nevada are [[Owens Valley]] and [[Mono Lake]], an essential [[bird migration|migratory bird]] habitat. In the western part of the state is [[Clear Lake]], the largest freshwater lake by area entirely in California. Though Lake Tahoe is larger, it is divided by the California/Nevada border. The Sierra Nevada falls to Arctic temperatures in winter and has several dozen small glaciers, including [[Palisade Glacier]], the southernmost glacier in the United States. [[Image:Rolling hills of Califorinia.JPG|thumb|upright|Rolling hills of California]] About 35% of the state's total surface area is covered by forests, and California's diversity of pine species is unmatched by any other state. California contains more forestland than any other state except Alaska. Many of the trees in the [[White Mountains (California)|California White Mountains]] are the oldest in the world; one [[Bristlecone pine]] has an age of 4,700 years. In the south is a large inland salt lake, the [[Salton Sea]]. Deserts in California make up about 25% of the total surface area. The south-central desert is called the [[Mojave Desert|Mojave]]; to the northeast of the Mojave lies [[Death Valley]], which contains the lowest, hottest point in [[North America]], [[Badwater|Badwater Flat]]. The distance from the lowest point of Death Valley to the peak of Mount Whitney is less than 200 miles (322 km). Indeed, almost all of southeastern California is arid, hot desert, with routine extreme high temperatures during the summer. Along the California coast are several major metropolitan areas, including [[Greater Los Angeles]], the [[San Francisco Bay Area]], and [[San Diego, California|San Diego]]. California is famous for [[:Category:Earthquakes in California|earthquake]]s due to a number of faults, in particular the [[San Andreas Fault]]. It is vulnerable to [[tsunami]]s, [[flood]]s, [[drought]]s, [[Santa Ana winds]], [[:Category:Wildfires in California|wildfire]]s, and [[landslide]]s on steep terrain, and has several [[:Category:Volcanoes of California|volcanoes]]. === Climate === {{main|Climate of California}} [[Image:Calnasa.jpg|thumb|left|250px|The [[Summer 2008 California wildfires]] as seen from space.]] California climate varies from [[Mediterranean Climate|Mediterranean]] to [[subarctic]]. Much of the state has a [[Mediterranean climate]], with cool, rainy winters and dry summers. The cool [[California Current]] offshore often creates summer [[fog]] near the coast. Further inland, one encounters colder winters and hotter summers. Northern parts of the state average higher annual rainfall than the south. California's mountain ranges influence the climate as well: some of the rainiest parts of the state are west-facing mountain slopes. Northwestern California has a [[temperate climate]], and the Central Valley has a Mediterranean climate but with greater temperature extremes than the coast. The high mountains, including the [[Sierra Nevada (U.S.)|Sierra Nevada]], have a [[mountain climate]] with [[snow]] in winter and mild to moderate heat in summer. The east side of California's mountains has a drier [[rain shadow]]. The low deserts east of the southern California mountains experience hot summers and nearly frostless mild winters; the higher elevation deserts of [[eastern California]] see hot summers and cold winters. In [[Death Valley]], the highest temperature in the [[Western Hemisphere]], {{convert|134|°F|°C|0}}, was recorded [[July 10]], [[1913]]. === Ecology === {{main|Ecology of California}} Ecologically, California is one of the richest and most diverse parts of the world and includes some of the most endangered ecological communities. California is part of the [[Nearctic]] [[ecozone]] and spans a number of [[terrestrial ecoregions]]. [[Image:CalaverasBigTrees2.jpg|thumb|right|200px||Calaveras Big Trees State Park]] California's large number of [[endemic (ecology)|endemic]] species includes [[relict species]] which have died out elsewhere, such as the Catalina Ironwood (''Lyonothamnus floribundus''). Many other endemics originated through differentiation or [[adaptive radiation]], whereby multiple species develop from a common ancestor to take advantage of diverse ecological conditions such as the California lilac (''[[Ceanothus]]''). Many California endemics have become endangered, as [[urbanization]], [[logging]], [[overgrazing]], and the introduction of [[exotic species]] have encroached on their habitat. California boasts several superlatives in its collection of flora; the [[giant sequoia|largest trees]], the [[coast redwood|tallest trees]], and the [[pinus longaeva|oldest trees]]. California's native grasses are [[perennial plant]]s.<ref>{{cite journal |title=California Photos |journal=California in Photographs |author=Oliver Berkovich |date=April 2005 |volume=vol. 51 |issue=no. 4 |pages=p. 18–77}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |url=http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/AR/archive/may04/grass0504.htm | title=Restoring California's Native Grasses |journal=Agricultural Research magazine |author=David Elstein |date=May 2004 |volume=vol. 52 |issue=no. 5 |pages=p. 17 |accessdate=2007-06-30}}</ref> After European contact, these were generally replaced by [[invasive species]] of European annual grasses; and, in modern times, California's hills turn a characteristic golden brown in summer. === Rivers === {{main|List of California rivers}} The two most prominent rivers within California are the [[Sacramento River]] and the [[San Joaquin River]], which drain the Central Valley and flow to the [[Pacific Ocean]] through [[San Francisco Bay]]. Two other important rivers are the [[Klamath River]], in the north, and the [[Colorado River]], on the southeast border. === Protected areas === {{main|List of protected areas within California}} == History == {{CAhistory}} {{main|History of California to 1899|History of California 1900 to present}} Settled by successive waves of arrivals during the last 10,000 years, California was one of the most culturally and linguistically diverse areas in pre-Columbian [[North America]]; the area was inhabited by more than [[Classification of Native Americans#California|70 distinct groups]] of [[Native Americans in the United States|Native American]]s. Large, settled populations lived on the coast and hunted sea mammals, fished for salmon, and gathered shellfish, while groups in the interior hunted terrestrial game and gathered nuts, acorns, and berries. California groups also were diverse in their political organization with bands, tribes, villages, and on the resource-rich coasts, large chiefdoms, such as the [[Chumash (tribe)|Chumash]], [[Pomo people|Pomo]] and [[Salinan]]. Trade, intermarriage, and military alliances fostered many social and economic relationships among the diverse groups. The first European to explore the coast as far north as the [[Russian River (California)|Russian River]] was the Portuguese [[João Rodrigues Cabrilho]], in 1542, sailing for the [[Spanish Empire]]. Some 37 years later, the [[England|English]] explorer [[Francis Drake]] also explored and claimed an undefined portion of the California coast in 1579. Spanish traders made unintended visits with the [[Manila Galleon]]s on their return trips from the [[Philippines]] beginning in 1565. [[Sebastián Vizcaíno]] explored and mapped the coast of California in 1602 for [[New Spain]]. Spanish [[missionaries]] began setting up twenty-one [[California Missions]] along the coast of what became known as [[Alta California]] (Upper California), together with small towns and ''presidios''. The first [[Mission San Diego de Alcalá|mission]] in Alta California was established at [[San Diego, California|San Diego]] in 1769.<ref>The first successful [[Misión de Nuestra Señora de Loreto Conchó|mission]] in [[Baja California]] had been established at [[Loreto, Baja California Sur]] in 1697. </ref> In 1821, the [[Mexican War of Independence]] gave [[Mexico]] (including California), independence from Spain; for the next twenty-five years, [[Alta California]] remained a remote northern province of the nation of Mexico. Cattle ranches, or ''[[ranchos]]'', emerged as the dominant institutions of Mexican California. After Mexican independence from Spain, the [[Spanish Missions of California|chain of missions]] became the property of the Mexican government and were [[secularized]] by 1832. The ranchos developed under ownership by [[Californios]] (Spanish-speaking Californians) who had received land grants and traded cowhides and tallow with [[Boston]] merchants. Beginning in the 1820s, trappers and settlers from the United States and Canada began to arrive in Northern California, harbingers of the great changes that would later sweep the Mexican territory. These new arrivals used the [[Siskiyou Trail]], [[California Trail]], [[Oregon Trail]], and [[Old Spanish Trail (trade route)|Old Spanish Trail]] to cross the rugged mountains and harsh deserts surrounding California. In this period, [[Imperial Russia]] explored the California coast and established a trading post at [[Fort Ross]]. [[Image:Firstbearflag.jpg|200px|thumb|The Bear Flag of the Republic of California]] In 1846, settlers rebelled against Mexican rule during the [[Bear Flag Revolt]]. Afterwards, rebels raised the [[Bear Flag]] (featuring a bear, a star, a red stripe, and the words "California Republic") at Sonoma. {{cquote |[we] overthrow a Government which has seized upon the property of the Missions for its individual [[greed|aggrandizement]]; which has ruined and shamefully oppressed the laboring people of California |24px|24px |William Ide|Declaration from the Bear Flag Revolt }} The Republic's first and only president was [[William B. Ide]],<ref>[http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=458 ''William B. Ide Adobe SHP'']</ref> who played a pivotal role during the [[Bear Flag Revolt]]. His term lasted twenty-five days and concluded when California was occupied by U.S. forces during the [[Mexican-American War]]. The California Republic was short lived. The same year marked the outbreak of the [[Mexican-American War]] (1846-1848). When Commodore [[John D. Sloat]] of the [[United States Navy]] sailed into [[Monterey Bay]] and began the military occupation of California by the [[United States]]. Northern California capitulated in less than a month to the U.S. forces. After a series of defensive battles in [[Southern California]], including The [[Siege of Los Angeles]], the [[Battle of Dominguez Rancho]], the [[Battle of San Pascual]], the [[Battle of Rio San Gabriel]], and the [[Battle of La Mesa]], the [[Treaty of Cahuenga]] was signed by the [[Californios]] on [[January 13]], [[1847]], securing American control in California. Following the [[Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo]] that ended the war, the region was divided between Mexico and the United States; the western territory of Alta California, was to become the U.S. state of California, and Arizona, Nevada, Colorado and Utah became U.S. Territories, while the lower region of California, [[Baja California]], remained in the possession of [[Mexico]]. In 1848, the non-native population of California has been estimated to be no more than 15,000. But after gold was discovered, the population burgeoned with U.S. citizens, Europeans, and other immigrants during the great [[California Gold Rush]]. On [[September 9]], [[1850]], as part of the [[Compromise of 1850]], California was admitted to the [[United States]] as a [[Free state (USA)|free state]] (one in which slavery was prohibited). The seat of government for California under Mexican rule was located at [[Monterey, California|Monterey]] from 1777 until 1835, when Mexican authorities abandoned California, leaving their missions and military forts behind.<ref>{{cite book |last=Gilliam |first=Albert |title=Travels Over the Table Lands and Cordilleras of Mexico: During the Years |publisher=John Moore |date=1846 |location=Philadelphia}}</ref> In 1849, the Constitutional Convention was first held there. Among the duties was the task of determining the location for the new State capital. The first legislative sessions were held in [[San Jose, California|San Jose]] (1850-1851). Subsequent locations included [[Vallejo, California|Vallejo]] (1852-1853), and nearby [[Benicia, California|Benicia]] (1853-1854), although these locations eventually proved to be inadequate as well. The capital has been located in [[Sacramento, California|Sacramento]] since 1854.<ref>{{cite book |last=Wilson |first=Dotson |coauthors=Ebbert, Brian S. |date=2006 |title=California's Legislature |edition=2006 edition |url=http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/pdf/caleg11.pdf |location=Sacramento |publisher=California State Assembly |oclc=70700867|format=PDF}}</ref> Travel between California and the central and eastern parts of the United States was time-consuming and dangerous. A more direct connection came in 1869 with the completion of the [[First Transcontinental Railroad]] through [[Donner Pass]] in the Sierra Nevada mountains. After this rail link was established, hundreds of thousands of U.S. citizens came west, where new Californians were discovering that land in the state, if irrigated during the dry summer months, was extremely well-suited to fruit cultivation and agriculture in general. Vast expanses of wheat and other cereal crops, vegetable crops, cotton, and nut and fruit trees were grown (including oranges in Southern California), and the foundation was laid for the state's prodigious agricultural production in the Central Valley and elsewhere. During the early 20th century, migration to California accelerated with the completion of major transcontinental [[highway]]s like the [[Lincoln Highway]] and [[U.S. Route 66 (California)|Route 66]]. In the period from 1900 to 1965, the population grew from fewer than one million to become the most populous state in the Union. From 1965 to the present, the population changed radically and became one of the most diverse in the world. The state is regarded as a world center of technology and engineering businesses, of the entertainment and music industries, and as the U.S. center of agricultural production. == Demographics == {{main|Demographics of California}} <!-- This section has a history of {{disputed}} and {{contradict-section}} tags. To help prevent these tags from re-appearing: 1) Please add only information which is well-sourced, and please cite the source using the<ref> </ref> format; 2) Please consider placing detailed or controversial material in the daughter article [[Demographics of California]]. Please try to keep this section of this central article to well-sourced, overview information. The daughter article is available for detailed information or information that may be disputed or controversial. --> === Population === {{USCensusPop |1850 = 92597 |1860 = 379994 |1870 = 560247 |1880 = 864694 |1890 = 1213398 |1900 = 1485053 |1910 = 2377549 |1920 = 3426861 |1930 = 5677251 |1940 = 6907387 |1950 = 10586223 |1960 = 15717204 |1970 = 19953134 |1980 = 23667902 |1990 = 29760021 |2000 = 33871648 |estyear = 2007<ref>[http://www.census.gov/popest/states/tables/NST-EST2007-01.xls Population Estimates as of July 1, 2007 by U.S. Census Bureau]</ref> |estimate = 36553215 }} <!-- Please add sources for the following information, using format. --> [[Image:California population map.png|thumb|left|California Population Density Map]] By 2007, California's population is estimated at 36,553,215, making it the most populated state and the 13th fastest-growing state. This includes a natural increase since the last census of 1,909,368 people (that is 3,375,297 births minus 1,465,929 deaths) and an increase due to net migration of 774,198 people into the state. [[Immigration to the United States|Immigration]] from outside the United States resulted in a net increase of 1,724,790 people, and migration within the country produced a net decrease of 950,592.<ref>{{cite paper |url=http://www.census.gov/popest/states/tables/NST-EST2006-04.xls | title=Table 4: Cumulative Estimates of the Components of Population Change for the United States, Regions and States: April 1, 2000 to July 1, 2006 (NST-EST2006-04) |format=.XLS |author=Population Division |publisher=U.S. Census Bureau |date=2006-12-22 |accessdate=2007-06-30}}</ref> California is the second most populous state of the [[Americas]], exceeded only by [[São Paulo (state)|São Paulo]] State, [[Brazil]].<ref>{{cite web | title = The world's largest cities | publisher = www.citymayors.com | accessdate = 2008-07-10 | url = http://www.citymayors.com/features/largest_cities1.html}}</ref> More than 12 percent of U.S. citizens live in California and its population is greater than that of all but 34 countries of the world.<ref name=unpop>{{cite paper |url=http://www.un.org/esa/population/publications/wpp2006/wpp2006_highlights.pdf |title=World Population Prospects, Table A.2| version=2006 revision |pages=p. 37-42 |format=.PDF |publisher=United Nations |author=Department of Economic and Social Affairs Population Division |date=2006 |accessdate=2007-06-30}}</ref> California has eight of the top 50 U.S. cities in terms of population. [[Los Angeles]] is the nation's second-largest city with a population of 3,849,378 people, followed by [[San Diego]] (8th), [[San Jose, California|San Jose]] (10th), [[San Francisco]] (14th), [[Long Beach, California|Long Beach]] (34th), [[Fresno]] (36th), [[Sacramento]] (37th) and [[Oakland]] (44th). [[Los Angeles County]] has held the title of most populous county for decades and is more populous than 42 U.S. states. The [[center of population]] of California is at the town of [[Buttonwillow, California|Buttonwillow]] in [[Kern County, California|Kern County]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.census.gov/geo/www/cenpop/cntpop2k.html |title=Population and Population Centers by State: 2000 |publisher=[[U.S. Census Bureau]] |author=Geography Division |date=2005-11-10 |accessdate=2007-06-30}}</ref> === Racial and ancestral makeup === According to the 2006 ACS Estimates, California's population is: *59.8% [[White American]] - includes 17.5% [[White Hispanic]], *6.2% Black or [[African American]], *12.3% [[Asian American]], *0.7% American Indian, *3.3% mixed, and the remaining 17.3% are of Some other Race. *35.9% are [[Hispanics in the United States|Hispanic]] or Latino (of any race).<ref>[http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/ACSSAFFFacts?_event=Search&geo_id=04000US48&_geoContext=01000US%7C04000US48&_street=&_county=&_cityTown=&_state=04000US06&_zip=&_lang=en&_sse=on&ActiveGeoDiv=geoSelect&_useEV=&pctxt=fph&pgsl=040&_submenuId=factsheet_1&ds_name=ACS_2006_SAFF&_ci_nbr=null&qr_name=null&reg=null%3Anull&_keyword=&_industry= US Census Bureau<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> California has the largest population of [[White Americans]] in the U.S., an estimated 21,810,156 residents. The fifth largest population of [[African Americans]] in the U.S., an estimated 2,260,648 residents. California's Asian population is estimated at 4.5 million, approximately one-third of the nation's 14.9 million Asian Americans. California's Native American population of 376,093 is the most of any state. According to estimates from 2006, California has the largest [[Majority-minority state|minority population]] in the United States, making up 57% of the state population. Non-Hispanic whites decreased from 80% of the state's population in 1970 to 43% in 2006.<ref>[http://www.poynter.org/column.asp?id=58&aid=111344 The Best Story of Our Lives]</ref> While the population of minorities accounts for 100.7 million of 300 million U.S. residents, 21% of the national total live in California.<ref name=LAT051707>{{cite news |url=http://www.brownpride.us/minorities/california-is-leading-nation-in-diversity/208/ |title=California is leading nation in diversity |publisher=[[Los Angeles Times]] |author=Teresa Watanabe |date=2007-05-17 |accessdate=2007-06-30}}</ref> === Languages === As of 2000, 60.52% of California residents age five and older spoke [[English language|English]] as a [[first language]] at home, while 25.80% spoke [[Spanish language|Spanish]]. In addition to English and Spanish, 2.44% spoke [[Chinese language|Chinese]] (which included [[Cantonese language|Cantonese]] [0.48%] and [[Mandarin language|Mandarin]] [0.29%]), 1.99% spoke [[Filipino language|Filipino]] (most are native speakers of Ilokano, Cebuano, Tagalog, Pangasinan and Kapampangan), 1.29% spoke [[Vietnamese language|Vietnamese]], and 0.94% spoke [[Korean language|Korean]] as their [[mother tongue]]. In total, 39.47% of the population spoke languages other than English.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mla.org/map_data_results&state_id=6&county_id=&mode=state_tops&zip=&place_id=&cty_id=&ll=&a=&ea=&order=r |title=Modern Language Association Data Center Results of the State of California |publisher=Modern Language Association |accessdate=2007-06-30}}</ref><ref>{{cite paper |title=Tab 5. Detailed List of Languages Spoken at Home for the Population 5 Years and Over by State: 2000|url=http://www.census.gov/population/cen2000/phc-t20/tab05.pdf |format=.PDF |year=2003 |author=Population Bureau |publisher=U.S. Census Bureau |accessdate=2007-06-30}}</ref> Over 200 languages are known to be spoken and read in California. <!-- Please add citations for the following information, using format. --> Including [[:Category:Indigenous languages of California|indigenous languages]], California is viewed as one of the most linguistically diverse areas in the world (the indigenous languages were derived from 64 root languages in 6 language families).<ref>[http://www.californiaprehistory.com/tribmap.html Native tribes, groups, language families and dialects of California in 1770] (map after Kroeber)(accessed 2006-12-30); [http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=23545 Map of California showing areas of indigenous languages] (accessed 2006-12-30)</ref> About half of the indigenous languages are no longer spoken, and all of California's living indigenous languages are [[endangered language|endangered]], although there are now some efforts toward [[language revitalization]]. The [[official language]] of California has been [[English language|English]] since the passage of [[List of California ballot propositions 1980-1989#November 4, 1986|Proposition 63 in 1986]]. However, many state, city, and local government agencies still continue to print official public documents in numerous languages.<ref>{{cite news |last=Hull |first=Dana |title=English already is "official" in California |publisher=[[San Jose Mercury News]] |date=2006-05-20}}</ref> === Religion === <!-- Please add citations for the following information, using<ref> </ref> format. --> The state has the most [[Roman Catholics]] of any state and a large [[Protestant]] population, a large [[American Jew]]ish community, and an [[American Muslim]] population. With a [[Jewish]] population estimated at more than 550,000, Los Angeles is the second-largest Jewish community in North America. California also has the largest Muslim community population in the United States, an estimated 3.4% of the population, mostly residing in Southern California. According to figures, approximately 100,000 Muslims reside in [[San Diego]].<ref>[http://www.sandiegoreader.com/news/2008/may/14/cover/ If I Did That Over There, They'd Cut My Hands Off]</ref> As the twentieth century came to a close, forty percent of all Buddhists in America resided in Southern California. The Los Angeles Metropolitan Area has become unique in the Buddhist world as the only place where representative organizations of every major school of Buddhism can be found in a single urban center.<ref>{{cite book |last=Ed. Melton |first=J. Gordon |date=2003 |title=Encyclopedia of American Religions |edition=Seventh Edition |chapter=Eastern Family Part II: Buddhism, Shintoism, Japanese New Religions |pages=p201-211 |location=Detroit |publisher=Gale |oclc=51255717}}</ref> The [[City of Ten Thousand Buddhas]] in Northern California and [[Hsi Lai Temple]] in Southern California are two of the largest Buddhist temples in the Western Hemisphere. It also has a growing Hindu population. California has more members of the [[Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints]] and [[List of temples of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints|Temples]] than any state except [[Utah]]. [[Latter-day Saints]] (Mormons) have played important roles in the settlement of California throughout the state's history. For example, a group of a few hundred [[Mormon]] converts from the Northeastern [[United States]] and [[Europe]] arrived at what would become [[San Francisco]] in the [[1840's]] aboard the ship ''Brooklyn'', more than doubling the population of the small town.<ref>[http://www.mormonwiki.com/1846]</ref> Before being called back to [[Utah]] by [[Brigham Young]] these settlers helped build up the city of [[Yerba Buena]]. A group of Mormons also established the city of [[San Bernadino]] in [[Southern California]] in 1851.<ref name=CalLDS>{{cite web | title = Country Profiles (USA-California) | publisher = The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints | accessdate = 2008-07-10 | url = http://www.newsroom.lds.org/ldsnewsroom/eng/contact-us/usa-california}}</ref> According to the LDS Church 2007 statistics, just over 750,000 Mormons reside in the state of California, attending almost 1400 congregations statewide.<ref name=CalLDS/> However, a [[Pew Research Center]] survey revealed that California is less religious than the rest of the US: 62% of Californians say they are "absolutely certain" of the belief in God, while in the nation 71% say so. The survey also revealed 48% of Californians say religion is "very important", while the figure for the United States is 56%.<ref>{{cite news |last= Helfand |first= Duke |title= Survey shows Californians less religious than rest of nation |publisher= [[The Los Angeles Times]] |date= [[June 24]], [[2008]] |url= http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-faith24-2008jun24,0,1417534.story |accessdate = 2008-06-24}}</ref> == Economy == [[Image:Sfbaybridge at night.jpg|thumb|150px|left| The [[San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge|Bay Bridge]] connects [[San Francisco, California|San Francisco]] to [[Oakland, California|Oakland]] and the [[East Bay (San Francisco Bay Area)|East Bay]]]] [[Image:PB050006.JPG|thumb|150px|right|The [[Hollywood Sign]] is a well-known symbol]] {{main|Economy of California}} As of 2007, the [[gross state product]] (GSP) is about $1.812 [[1000000000000 (number)|trillion]], the largest in the United States. California is responsible for 13% of the United States [[gross domestic product]] (GDP). As of 2006, California's GDP is larger than all but eight countries in the world (and all but eleven countries by [[Purchasing Power Parity]]). California is facing a $16 billion [[Deficit|budget deficit]] for the 2008-09 budget year.<ref>[http://www.nctimes.com/articles/2008/02/21/news/state/15_57_362_20_08.txt California's budget deficit grows to $16 billion], North County Times</ref> California is also the home of several significant economic regions, such as [[Hollywood, Los Angeles, California|Hollywood]] (entertainment), Southern California (aerospace), the [[California Central Valley]] ([[agriculture]]), the [[Silicon Valley]] and [[Tech Coast]] ([[computer]]s and [[high tech]]), and [[wine]] producing regions, such as the [[Napa Valley AVA|Napa Valley]], [[Sonoma Valley AVA|Sonoma Valley]] and Southern California's [[Santa Barbara, California|Santa Barbara]] and [[Paso Robles AVA|Paso Robles]] areas. In terms of jobs, the five largest sectors in California are trade, transportation, and utilities; government; professional and business services; education and health services; and leisure and hospitality. In terms of output, the five largest sectors are financial services, followed by trade, transportation, and utilities; education and health services; government; and manufacturing. California's economy is very dependent on trade and international related commerce accounts for approximately one-quarter of the state’s economy. In 2007 California exported $134 billion worth of goods, up from $127 billion in 2006 and $117 billion in 2005, surpassing the 2000 peak of $125 billion for two consecutive years. Computers and electronic products are California's top export, accounting for 36 percent of all the state's exports in 2007.<ref>[http://www.calchamber.com/CC/BusinessResources/InternationalResources/AllAboutInternationalTrade/TradeStatistics.htm California Chamber of Commerce: All About International Trade and Investment]</ref> Although agriculture contributes the least toward employment and output, it remains a very important sector in California's economy. Farming-related sales have more than quadrupled over the past three decades, from $7.3 billion in 1974 to nearly $31 billion in 2004. This increase has occurred despite a 15 percent decline in acreage devoted to farming during the period. Factors contributing to the growth in sales-per-acre include more intensive use of active farmlands and technological improvements in crop production.<ref>[http://www.lao.ca.gov/2006/cal_facts/2006_calfacts_econ.htm Cal Facts 2006: California's Economy and Budget in Perspective]</ref> [[Per capita]] personal income was $38,956 as of 2006, ranking 11<sup>th</sup> in the nation.<ref>[http://www.bea.gov/newsreleases/regional/spi/2007/spi0307.htm State Personal Income 2006], Bureau of Economic Analysis, U.S. Department of Commerce.</ref> Per capita income varies widely by geographic region and profession. The Central Valley is the most impoverished, with [[migrant worker|migrant farm workers]] making less than [[minimum wage]]. Recently, the [[San Joaquin Valley]] was characterized as one of the most economically depressed regions in the U.S., on par with the region of [[Appalachia]].<ref>[http://www.centralvalleybusinesstimes.com/links/CRS%20San%20Joaquin%20Valley%20Report.pdf Report from Central Valley Business Times]</ref> [[Image:California quarter, reverse side, 2005.jpg|left|90px]] Many coastal cities include some of the wealthiest per-capita areas in the U.S. The high-technology sectors in Northern California, specifically [[Silicon Valley]], in [[Santa Clara County, California|Santa Clara]] and [[San Mateo County, California|San Mateo counties]], are currently emerging from economic downturn caused by the [[dot.com bust]], which caused the loss of over 250,000 jobs in Northern California alone. As of spring 2005, economic growth has resumed in California at 4.3%.<ref>{{cite web | title = UCLA Anderson Forecast Affirms No Recession | publisher = UCLA Anderson Forecast | accessdate = 2008-07-10 | url = http://uclaforecast.com}}</ref> California levies a 9.3% maximum variable rate [[income tax]], with 6 [[tax bracket]]s. It collects about $40 billion per year in income taxes. California's combined state, county and local sales tax rate is from 7.25 to 8.75%.<ref>[http://www.boe.ca.gov/cgi-bin/rates.cgi California City and County Sales and Use Tax Rates - Cities, Counties and Tax Rates - Board of Equalization<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> The rate varies throughout the state at the local level. In all, it collects about $28 billion in sales taxes per year. All [[real property]] is taxable annually, the tax based on the property's fair market value at the time of purchase. This tax does not increase based on a rise in real property values (see [[California Proposition 13 (1978)|Proposition 13]]). California collects $33 billion in property taxes per year. {{see also|California unemployment statistics}} {{further|[[California locations by per capita income]]}} == Energy == === Resources and consumption === California’s crude oil and [[natural gas]] deposits are located in six geological basins in the [[California Central Valley| Central Valley]] and along the coast. California has more than a dozen of the United States' largest [[oil fields]], including the [[Midway-Sunset Oil Field]], the second largest oil field in the contiguous United States. California’s [[hydroelectric]] power potential ranks second in the United States (behind [[Washington]] State), and substantial [[geothermal power|geothermal]] and [[wind power]] resources are found along the coastal mountain ranges and the eastern border with [[Nevada]]. High [[solar energy|solar power]] potential is found in southeastern California’s [[deserts]]. California is the most populous state in the nation, but its total energy demand is second to the state of [[Texas]].<ref>{{cite web |title=California, State Energy Profile |work=Official Energy Statistics from the U.S. Government |publisher=Energy Information Administration |url=http://tonto.eia.doe.gov/state/state_energy_profiles.cfm?sid=CA |accessdate=2007-10-02}}</ref> Although California is a leader in some energy-intensive industries, the state has one of the lowest per capita [[energy consumption]] rates in the [[Energy use in the United States|country]]. This is in spite of the fact that more [[motor vehicles]] are registered in California than any other state, and worker [[commuting|commute]] times are among the longest in the country. === Petroleum === California’s [[crude oil]] output accounts for more than one-tenth of total U.S. production. Drilling operations are concentrated primarily in [[Kern County]] and the [[Los Angeles basin]]. Although there is also substantial offshore oil and gas production, there is a permanent moratorium on new offshore oil and gas leasing in California waters and a deferral of leasing in Federal waters. California ranks third in the United States in petroleum [[refining]] capacity and accounts for more than one-tenth of total U.S. capacity. In addition to oil from California, California’s refineries process crude oil from [[Alaska]] and foreign suppliers. The refineries are configured to produce cleaner [[fuel]]s, including reformulated motor [[gasoline]] and low-sulfur [[diesel]], to meet strict Federal and State [[United States environmental law|environmental regulations]]. Most California motorists are required to use a special motor gasoline blend called California Clean Burning Gasoline (CA CBG). By 2004, California completed a transition from methyl tertiary butyl-ether (MTBE) to ethanol as a gasoline oxygenate additive, making California the largest ethanol fuel market in the United States. There are four ethanol production plants in central and southern California, but most of California’s ethanol supply is transported from other states or abroad. === Natural gas === California [[natural gas]] production typically is less than 2 percent of total annual U.S. production and satisfies less than one-fifth of state demand. California receives most of its natural gas by [[Pipeline transport|pipeline]] from production regions in the Rocky Mountains, the Southwest, and western Canada. === Electricity === [[Image:Solar two.jpg|350px|thumb|right|Aerial view of the [[Solar power plants in the Mojave Desert#Solar One and Solar Two|Solar Two facility]], in the [[Mojave desert]], one of the best sites in the United States for solar power plants]] [[Natural gas]]-fired [[power plants]] typically account for more than one-half of State electricity generation. California is one of the largest [[hydroelectric]] power producers in the United States, and with adequate rainfall, hydroelectric power typically accounts for close to one-fifth of State electricity generation. Due to strict emission laws, only a few small coal-fired power plants operate in California. The [[Mojave Desert]] is one of the best sites in the United States for solar power plants. Solar [[insolation]] is very high and significant population centers are located in the area. Two prototype systems known as [[Solar power plants in the Mojave Desert#Solar One and Solar Two|"Solar One" and "Solar Two"]] produced 10 MW each when they were in operation. California’s two [[nuclear power plant]]s account for almost one-fifth of total generation, these are:<ref>{{cite web | title = California Nuclear Industry | publisher = Energy Information Administration | accessdate = 2008-07-10 | url = http://www.eia.doe.gov/cneaf/nuclear/page/at_a_glance/states/statesca.html}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title = Nuclear Energy in California | publisher = California Energy Commission | accessdate = 2008-07-10 | url = http://www.energy.ca.gov/nuclear/california.html}}</ref> * [[Diablo Canyon Power Plant]]: 2 reactors. Operated and owned by [[Pacific Gas & Electric]] Co. * [[San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station]] : 2 reactors. Operated by [[Southern California Edison]] with various owners (SCE; San Diego Gas and Electric; City of [[Anaheim]] and the City of [[Riverside, California|Riverside]]). California leads the United States in electricity generation from nonhydroelectric [[Renewable energy in California|renewable energy source]]s, such as wind, [[geothermal power|geothermal]], [[solar energy]], fuel wood, and municipal [[solid waste]]/landfill gas resources. A facility known as “The Geysers,” located in the [[Mayacamas Mountains]] north of San Francisco, is the largest group of geothermal power plants in the world, with more than 750 [[megawatts]] of installed capacity. Due to high electricity demand, California imports more electricity than any other state, primarily hydroelectric power from states in the Pacific Northwest (via [[Path 15]] and [[Path 66]]) and coal- and natural gas-fired production from the desert Southwest via [[Path 46]]. == Transportation == {{main|Transportation of California}} [[Image:GoldenGateBridge.jpg|thumb|The [[Golden Gate Bridge]] in [[San Francisco]], one of California's most famous landmarks]] [[Image:Glendalefreeway.jpg|thumb|[[Caltrans]] builds tall "stack" [[Interchange (road)|interchange]]s with soaring ramps that offer impressive views]] California's vast terrain is connected by an extensive system of [[freeway]]s, [[expressway]]s, and [[highway]]s. California is known for its [[car culture]], giving California's cities a reputation for severe [[traffic congestion]]. Construction and maintenance of state roads and statewide transportation planning are primarily the responsibility of the [[California Department of Transportation]] (Caltrans). One of the state's more visible landmarks, the [[Golden Gate Bridge]] was completed in 1937. With its orange paint and panoramic views of the bay, this highway bridge is a popular tourist attraction and also accommodates pedestrians and bicyclists. It is simultaneously designated as [[U.S. Route 101 (California)|U.S. Route 101]] which is part of the [[El Camino Real (California)|El Camino Real]] (Spanish for Royal Road or King's Highway), and [[California State Route 1|State Route 1]] which is also known as the [[Pacific Coast Highway (United States)|Pacific Coast Highway]]. Another of the seven bridges in the [[San Francisco Bay Area]] is the [[San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge]], completed in 1936. This bridge transports approximately 280,000 vehicles per day on two-decks, with its two sections meeting at [[Yerba Buena Island]]. [[Los Angeles International Airport]] and [[San Francisco International Airport]] are major hubs for trans-Pacific and transcontinental traffic. There are about a dozen important commercial [[airport]]s and many more [[general aviation]] airports throughout the state. California also has several important [[seaport]]s. The giant seaport complex formed by the [[Port of Los Angeles]] and the [[Long Beach, California#Shipping and transportation|Port of Long Beach]] in Southern California is the largest in the country and responsible for handling about a fourth of all container cargo traffic in the United States. The [[Port of Oakland]], fourth largest in the nation, handles trade from the Pacific Rim and delivers most of the ocean containers passing through Northern California to the entire USA. Intercity rail travel is provided by [[Amtrak]]. Los Angeles and San Francisco both have [[Rapid transit|subway]] networks, in addition to [[light rail]]. [[Metrolink (Southern California)|Metrolink]] [[commuter rail]] and [[Los Angeles County Metro Rail|Metro Rail]] part of [[Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority|METRO]] serves much of Southern California, and [[Bay Area Rapid Transit|BART]] and [[Caltrain]] commuter rail connect Bay Area suburbs to San Francisco. San Jose and Sacramento have light rail, and [[San Diego]] has [[San Diego Trolley|Trolley]] light rail and [[San Diego Coaster|Coaster]] commuter rail services. Nearly all counties operate [[bus]] lines, and many cities operate their own bus lines as well. Intercity bus travel is provided by [[Greyhound Lines|Greyhound]] and Amtrak bus services. The rapidly growing population of the state is straining all of its transportation networks. A regularly recurring issue in California politics is whether the state should continue to aggressively expand its freeway network or concentrate on improving mass transit networks in urban areas. The [[California High Speed Rail]] Authority was created in 1996 by the state to implement an extensive 700 mile (1127 km) rail system. Construction is pending approval of the voters during the November 2008 general election, in which a $9.95 billion state bond would have to be approved. == Government & politics == <!-- Please consider using the daughter article for more detailed or controversial views or topics. Please limit this article to basic overview information and non-controversial views and topics --> ===== State government ===== {{main|Government of California}} [[Image:Sacramento Capitol.jpg|thumb|left|200px|Capitol Building in [[Sacramento]]]] California is governed as a [[republic]], with three [[separation of powers|branches of government]]: the [[executive branch]] consisting of the [[Governor of California]] and the other independently elected constitutional officers; the [[legislative branch]] consisting of the [[California Assembly|Assembly]] and [[California State Senate|Senate]]; and the [[judicial branch]] consisting of the [[Supreme Court of California]] and lower courts. The state also allows direct participation of the electorate by [[initiative]], [[referendum]], [[recall election|recall]], and [[ratification]]. California follows a [[closed primary]] system. The state's capital is [[Sacramento, California|Sacramento]]. {| align="right" border="2" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" style="margin: 1em 1em 1em 0; border: 1px #aaa solid; border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 75%;" |+ '''Governor elections results''' |- bgcolor=lightgrey ! Year ! [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] ! [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]] |- |align="center" bgcolor="#fff3f3"|[[United States gubernatorial elections, 2006|2006]] |align="center" bgcolor="#fff3f3"|'''55.88%''' ''4,850,157 |align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|38.91% ''3,376,732 |- |align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|[[United States gubernatorial elections, 2002|2002]] |align="center" bgcolor="#fff3f3"|42.41% ''3,169,801 |align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|'''47.28%''' ''3,533,490 |- |align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|[[United States gubernatorial elections, 1998|1998]] |align="center" bgcolor="#fff3f3"|38.38% ''3,216,749 |align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|'''57.97%''' ''4,858,817 |- |align="center" bgcolor="#fff3f3"|[[United States gubernatorial elections, 1994|1994]] |align="center" bgcolor="#fff3f3"|'''55.18%''' ''4,781,766 |align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|40.62% ''3,519,799 |- |align="center" bgcolor="#fff3f3"|[[United States gubernatorial elections, 1990|1990]] |align="center" bgcolor="#fff3f3"|'''49.25%''' ''3,791,904 |align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|45.78% ''3,525,197 |- |align="center" bgcolor="#fff3f3"|[[United States gubernatorial elections, 1986|1986]] |align="center" bgcolor="#fff3f3"|'''61.25%''' ''4,505,601 |align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|37.58% ''2,781,714 |} The [[Governor of California]] and the other state constitutional officers serve four-year terms and may be re-elected only once. The [[California State Legislature]] consists of a 40 member [[California State Senate|Senate]] and 80 member [[California State Assembly|Assembly]]. Senators serve four year terms and Assembly members two. Members of the Assembly are subject to [[term limits]] of three terms, and members of the Senate are subject to term limits of two terms. For the 2007 — 2008 session, there are 48 [[United States Democratic Party|Democrats]] and 32 [[United States Republican Party|Republicans]] in the Assembly. In the Senate, there are 25 Democrats and 15 Republicans. The current governor is Republican [[Arnold Schwarzenegger]], who was elected to a term that lasts through January 2011. California's [[judiciary]] is the largest in the United States (with a total of 1,600 judges, while the federal system has only about 840). It is supervised by the seven Justices of the [[Supreme Court of California]]. Justices of the Supreme Court and Courts of Appeal are appointed by the Governor, but are subject to retention by the electorate every 12 years. ===== Federal politics ===== {{main| Politics of California| Politics of California to 1899}} {| align="right" border="2" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" style="margin: 1em 1em 1em 0; border: 1px #aaa solid; border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 76%;" |+ '''Presidential elections results''' |- bgcolor=lightgrey ! Year ! [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] ! [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]] |- |bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|[[U.S. presidential election, 2004|2004]] |bgcolor="#fff3f3"| 44.36% ''5,509,826'' |bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|'''54.40%''' ''6,745,485'' |- |bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|[[U.S. presidential election, 2000|2000]] |bgcolor="#fff3f3"| 41.65% ''4,567,429'' |bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|'''53.45%''' ''5,861,203'' |- |bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|[[U.S. presidential election, 1996|1996]] |bgcolor="#fff3f3"| 38.21% ''3,828,380'' |bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|'''51.10%''' ''5,119,835'' |- |bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|[[U.S. presidential election, 1992|1992]] |bgcolor="#fff3f3"| 32.61% ''3,630,574'' |bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|'''46.01%''' ''5,121,325'' |- |bgcolor="#fff3f3"|[[U.S. presidential election, 1988|1988]] |bgcolor="#fff3f3"|'''51.13%''' ''5,054,917'' |bgcolor="#f0f0ff"| 47.56% ''4,702,233'' |- |bgcolor="#fff3f3"|[[U.S. presidential election, 1984|1984]] |bgcolor="#fff3f3"|'''57.51%''' ''5,467,009'' |bgcolor="#f0f0ff"| 41.27% ''3,922,519'' |- |bgcolor="#fff3f3"|[[U.S. presidential election, 1980|1980]] |bgcolor="#fff3f3"|'''52.69%''' ''4,524,858'' |bgcolor="#f0f0ff"| 35.91% ''3,083,661'' |} California has an idiosyncratic political culture. It was the second state to legalize abortion and the second state to legalize [[Same-sex marriage in California|marriage]] for gay couples. It was also the first state where [[California Proposition 22 (2000)|voters decided]] that only marriage between a man and a woman would be recognized (legalized [[Domestic partnership in California|domestic partnerships]] were not approved by voters, but were made law by the state legislature). Since 1990, California has generally elected Democratic candidates; however, the state has had little hesitance in electing Republican Governors, though many of its Republican Governors, such as the current [[Governor Schwarzenegger]], tend to be considered "Moderate Republicans" and tend to be more liberal than the party itself. [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]] strength is centered in [[Coastal California|coastal regions]] of [[Los Angeles County]] and the [[San Francisco Bay Area]]. The Democrats also hold a majority in Sacramento. The [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] strength is greatest in the San Joaquin Valley, which includes the growing cities of [[Stockton, California| Stockton]] and Modesto. [[Orange County, California| Orange County]] remains mostly Republican. Overall, the trend in California politics has been towards the Democratic Party and away from the Republican Party. The trend is most obvious in presidential elections. Additionally, the Democrats have easily won every U.S. Senate race since 1992 and have maintained consistent majorities in both houses of the state legislature. In the U.S. House, the Democrats hold a 34-19 edge for the [[110th United States Congress]]. The U.S senators are [[Dianne Feinstein]] (D), a native of San Francisco, and [[Barbara Boxer]] (D). The districts in California are usually dominated by one or the other party with very few districts that could be considered competitive. According to political analysts, California should soon gain three more seats, for a total of 58 [[electoral]] votes - the most electoral votes in the nation.<ref>[http://www.centerforpolitics.org/crystalball/article.php?id=LJS2007032201 Electoral Trends Warm Sunbelt, Freeze Frostbelt, Crystal Ball, U.Va<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> {{see also|List of California Governors|U.S. Congressional Delegations from California|List of California ballot propositions}} == California state law == California's legal system is explicitly based on English [[common law]]<ref>[http://caselaw.lp.findlaw.com/cacodes/civ/22-22.2.html California Civil Code Section 22.2].</ref> (as is the case with all other states except [[Louisiana Law|Louisiana]]) but carries a few features from Spanish [[Civil law (legal system)|civil law]], such as [[community property]]. [[Capital punishment in California|Capital punishment]] is a legal form of punishment and the state has the largest "[[Death Row]]" population in the country (though [[Texas]] is far more active in carrying out executions). California's "Death Row" is currently located in [[San Quentin State Prison]] situated north of San Francisco in [[Marin County, California|Marin County]]. Currently [[Capital punishment in California|capital punishment]] is on hold in the courts in California. == Cities, towns and counties == :''For lists of cities, towns, and counties in California, see [[List of cities in California (by population)]], [[List of cities in California]], [[List of urbanized areas in California (by population)]], [[List of counties in California]], and [[California locations by per capita income]].'' The state is divided into [[List of counties in California|58 counties]]. California has 478 [[Municipal corporation|incorporated]] cities and towns, of which 456 are cities and 22 are towns. Under California law, the terms "city" and "town" are explicitly interchangeable; the name of an incorporated municipality in the state can either be "City of (Name)" or "Town of (Name)."<ref>[http://info.sen.ca.gov/cgi-bin/displaycode?section=gov&group=34001-35000&file=34500-34504 California Government Code Sections 34500-34504]</ref> The majority of these cities and towns are within one of five [[metropolitan area]]s. Sixty-eight percent of California's population lives in its three largest metropolitan areas, [[Greater Los Angeles Area|Greater Los Angeles]], the [[San Francisco Bay Area]] and the [[Inland Empire (California)|Riverside-San Bernardino Area]], known as the Inland Empire. Although smaller, the other two large population centers are the [[San Diego-Tijuana metropolitan area|San Diego]] and the Sacramento metro areas. California is home to the largest county in the contiguous United States by area, [[San Bernardino County]]. The state recognizes two kinds of cities--[[Charter city|charter]] and general law.<ref> League of California Cities: [http://www.cacities.org/userfiles/godoc/3242.Types%20of%20Cities.htm Types of (California) Cities]</ref> General law cities owe their existence to state law and consequentially governed by it; charter cities are governed by their own city charters. Cities incorporated in the 19th century tend to be charter cities. All of the state's ten most populous cities are charter cities. == Education == {{main|Education in California|List of colleges and universities in California}} California offers a unique three-tier system of public postsecondary education: * The preeminent research university system in the state is the [[University of California]] (UC) which employs more [[Nobel Prize]] laureates than any other institution in the world, and is considered one of the world's finest [[public university]] systems. There are ten general UC campuses, and a number of specialized campuses in the UC system. * The [[California State University]] (CSU) system has over 400,000 students, making it the largest university system in the United States. It is intended to accept the top one-third (1/3) of high school students. The CSU schools are primarily intended for undergraduate education. * The [[California Community Colleges system]] provides lower division courses. It is composed of 109 colleges, serving a student population of over 2.9 million. California is also home to such notable private universities and colleges as [[Stanford University]], the [[University of Southern California]] (USC), the [[California Institute of Technology]] (Caltech), [[Occidental College]], and the [[Claremont Colleges]]. California has hundreds of other private colleges and universities, including many religious and special-purpose institutions. Public secondary education consists of high schools that teach elective courses in trades, languages, and liberal arts with tracks for gifted, college-bound and industrial arts students. California's public educational system is supported by a [[California Proposition 98 (1988)|unique constitutional amendment]] that requires 40% of state revenues to be spent on education. == Sports == {{main|Sports in California|List of professional sports teams in California}} California hosted the [[1960 Winter Olympics]] at [[Squaw Valley Ski Resort]], the [[1932 Summer Olympics|1932]] and [[1984 Summer Olympics]] in [[Los Angeles]], as well as the 1994 [[Football World Cup 1994|FIFA World Cup]]. California has nineteen [[major professional sports league]] franchises, far more than any other state. The [[San Francisco Bay Area]] has seven major league teams spread in three cities, [[San Francisco]], [[Oakland]] and [[San Jose, California|San Jose]]. While the [[Greater Los Angeles Area]] is home to ten major league franchises, it is also the largest metropolitan area not to have a team from the [[National Football League]]. [[San Diego]] has two major league teams, and [[Sacramento]] also has two. Home to some of most prominent universities in the United States, California has long had many respected collegiate sports programs. In particular, the athletic programs of [[California Golden Bears|UC Berkeley]], [[USC Trojans|USC]], [[UCLA Bruins|UCLA]], [[Stanford]] and [[Fresno State]] are often nationally ranked in the various collegiate sports. California is also home to the oldest college bowl game, the annual [[Rose Bowl Game|Rose Bowl]], and the [[Holiday Bowl]], among others. Below is a list of major sports teams in California: {| class="wikitable" ! Club ! Sport ! League |- | [[Oakland Raiders]] | Football | [[National Football League]] |- | [[San Diego Chargers]] | Football | [[National Football League]] |- | [[San Francisco 49ers]] | Football | [[National Football League]] |- | [[Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim]] | Baseball | [[Major League Baseball]] |- | [[Los Angeles Dodgers]] | Baseball | [[Major League Baseball]] |- | [[Oakland Athletics]] | Baseball | [[Major League Baseball]] |- | [[San Diego Padres]] | Baseball | [[Major League Baseball]] |- | [[San Francisco Giants]] | Baseball | [[Major League Baseball]] |- | [[Golden State Warriors]] | Basketball | [[National Basketball Association]] |- | [[Los Angeles Clippers]] | Basketball | [[National Basketball Association]] |- | [[Los Angeles Lakers]] | Basketball | [[National Basketball Association]] |- | [[Sacramento Kings]] | Basketball | [[National Basketball Association]] |- | [[Anaheim Ducks]] | Ice Hockey | [[National Hockey League]] |- | [[Los Angeles Kings]] | Ice Hockey | [[National Hockey League]] |- | [[San Jose Sharks]] | Ice Hockey | [[National Hockey League]] |- | [[Chivas USA]] | Soccer | [[Major League Soccer]] |- | [[Los Angeles Galaxy]] | Soccer | [[Major League Soccer]] |- | [[San Jose Earthquakes]] | Soccer | [[Major League Soccer]] |- | [[Los Angeles Avengers]] | Football | [[Arena Football League]] |- | [[San Jose SaberCats]] | Football | [[Arena Football League]] |- | [[Los Angeles Sparks]] | Basketball | [[Women's National Basketball Association]] |- | [[Sacramento Monarchs]] | Basketball | [[Women's National Basketball Association]] |- | [[Los Angeles Riptide]] | Lacrosse | [[Major League Lacrosse]] |- | [[San Francisco Dragons]] | Lacrosse | [[Major League Lacrosse]] |- | [[San Jose Stealth]] | Lacrosse | [[National Lacrosse League]] |- | [[California Cougars]] | Soccer | [[Major Indoor Soccer League]] |} == See also == {{portal|California|Blueca.png|left=yes}} {{clear}} <!-- Please place links to all topics directly related to the State of California in the [[List of California-related topics]] --> {{columns |width=300px | col1 = * [[California English]] * [[California Central Valley]] * [[Central Coast, California]] * [[Culture of California]] * [[Cuisine of California]] * [[Domestic partnership in California]] * [[Government of California]] | col2 = * [[List of California politicians]] * [[List of state highways in California]] * [[List of California state prisons]] * [[List of songs about California]] * [[List of California birds]] * [[Lists of school districts in California by county]] * [[Mountain peaks of California]] * [[Music of California]] | col3 = * [[Northern California]] * [[Politics of California]] * [[Politics of California to 1899]] * [[Protected areas of California]] * [[Renewable energy in California]] * [[Same-sex marriage in California]] * [[Scouting in California]] * [[Southern California]] * [[USS California|USS ''California'']] * [[History of the west coast of North America]] }} == References == {{Reflist|2}} == Further reading == {{Refbegin}} * {{cite book |last=Chartkoff |first=Joseph L. |coauthors=Chartkoff, Kerry Kona |date=1984 |title=The archaeology of California |location=Stanford |publisher=[[Stanford University Press]] |isbn=0804711577}} * {{cite book |last=Fagan |first=Brian |date=2003 |title=Before California: An archaeologist looks at our earliest inhabitants |location=Lanham, MD |publisher=[[Rowman & Littlefield Publishers]] |isbn=0742527948}} * {{cite book |last=Moratto |first=Michael J. |coauthors=Fredrickson, David A. |date=1984 |title=California archaeology |location=Orlando |publisher=[[Academic Press]] |isbn=012506182X}} {{Refend}} == External links == {{sisterlinks|California}} ;State Government * [http://www.ca.gov/ State of California Official Web site] * [http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/vctop/vc/vctoc.htm 2007 California Vehicle Code] * [http://wikis.ala.org/godort/index.php/California California State Databases] - Annotated list of searchable databases produced by California state agencies and compiled by the Government Documents Roundtable of the American Library Association. * [http://www.library.ca.gov/history/symbols.html List of official California State Symbols] from the [[California State Library]] ;U.S. Government * [http://tonto.eia.doe.gov/state/state_energy_profiles.cfm?sid=CA Energy Data & Statistics for California] * [http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/06000.html U.S. Census Bureau] * [http://www.ers.usda.gov/statefacts/ca.htm Economic Research Service, USDA - California State] * [http://www.usgs.gov/state/state.asp?State=CA USGS real-time, geographic, and other scientific resources of California] ;Tourism & recreation * [http://www.visitcalifornia.com/ visitcalifornia.com] California's Official Vacation Guide * [http://www.visitcalifornia.jp/ visitcalifornia.jp] California Travel & Tourism Commission Japan Office * {{wikitravel}} ;Other * [http://www.californiaprehistory.com/tribmap.html Native Tribes, Groups, Language Families and Dialects of California] * [http://countingcalifornia.cdlib.org/ Counting California] * [http://www.californiahistoricalsociety.org/programs/ccd.html California Historical Society cultural sites index] * [http://www.disastercenter.com/crime/cacrime.htm California Crime Rates 1960 - 2006] * [http://www.disastercenter.com/californ/crime/index.html California Law Enforcement Agency Uniform Crime Reports 1980 to 2005] {{-}} {{California|expanded}} {{United States}} {{coor title d|37|N|120|W|region:US-CA_type:state_scale:10000000}} [[Category:1850 establishments]] [[Category:California]] [[Category:Former Spanish colonies]] [[Category:States of the United States]] [[af:Kalifornië]] [[ang:California]] [[ar:كاليفورنيا]] [[frp:California]] [[ast:California]] [[az:Kaliforniya]] [[bn:ক্যালিফোর্নিয়া]] [[zh-min-nan:Ka-chiu]] [[be:Штат Каліфорнія]] [[be-x-old:Каліфорнія]] [[bs:Kalifornija]] [[br:Kalifornia]] [[bg:Калифорния]] [[ca:Califòrnia]] [[cv:Калифорни]] [[cs:Kalifornie]] [[co:California]] [[cy:California]] [[da:Californien]] [[de:Kalifornien]] [[nv:Akééháshį́į́h]] [[et:California]] [[el:Καλιφόρνια]] [[es:California]] [[eo:Kalifornio]] [[eu:Kalifornia]] [[fa:کالیفرنیا]] [[fo:Kalifornia]] [[fr:Californie]] [[fy:Kalifornje]] [[ga:California]] [[gv:California]] [[gd:California]] [[gl:California]] [[ko:캘리포니아 주]] [[haw:Kaleponi]] [[hy:Կալիֆորնիա]] [[hi:कैलिफोर्निया]] [[hr:Kalifornija]] [[io:Kalifornia]] [[ig:California]] [[ilo:California]] [[bpy:ক্যালিফোর্নিয়া]] [[id:California]] [[ia:California]] [[iu:ᑳᓖᐴᕐᓃᐊ/kaaliipuurniia]] [[ik:California]] [[os:Калифорни]] [[is:Kalifornía]] [[it:California]] [[he:קליפורניה]] [[pam:California]] [[ka:კალიფორნია]] [[kw:Kaliforni]] [[sw:California]] [[ht:Kalifòni]] [[ku:California]] [[lad:California]] [[la:California]] [[lv:Kalifornija]] [[lb:Kalifornien]] [[lt:Kalifornija]] [[lij:California]] [[jbo:kalifornias]] [[hu:Kalifornia]] [[mk:Калифорнија]] [[ml:കാലിഫോര്‍ണിയ]] [[mi:Karapōnia]] [[mr:कॅलिफोर्निया]] [[ms:California]] [[nah:California]] [[nl:Californië]] [[ja:カリフォルニア州]] [[no:California]] [[nn:California]] [[oc:Califòrnia]] [[uz:Kaliforniya]] [[pms:Califòrnia]] [[nds:Kalifornien]] [[pl:Kalifornia]] [[pt:Califórnia]] [[ro:California (stat SUA)]] [[ru:Калифорния]] [[sah:Калифорния]] [[sco:California]] [[sq:Kalifornia]] [[scn:California]] [[simple:California]] [[sk:Kalifornia]] [[sl:Kalifornija]] [[sr:Калифорнија]] [[sh:Kalifornija]] [[su:Kalifornia]] [[fi:Kalifornia]] [[sv:Kalifornien]] [[tl:California]] [[ta:கலிபோர்னியா]] [[te:కాలిఫోర్నియా]] [[th:มลรัฐแคลิฟอร์เนีย]] [[vi:California]] [[tr:Kaliforniya]] [[uk:Каліфорнія]] [[ur:کیلی فورنیا]] [[vec:Całifornia]] [[vo:California]] [[wa:Californeye]] [[wuu:卡里夫尼亚]] [[yi:קאליפארניע]] [[zh-yue:加利福尼亞州]] [[diq:Kaliforniya]] [[bat-smg:Kalėfuornėjė]] [[zh:加利福尼亚州]]