Where is California? The geographic location, history and sights of the state

California is often called the Golden State of America. Why did she get such a nickname? Where is California? What is interesting in this region of North America?

Geography of the state: where is California?

California is the most densely populated state of the country. About 39 thousand people live here. By area (423.9 square kilometers), the state ranks third in the United States. Sacramento is the capital of California. The largest cities are also Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco, Fresno, San Jose.

So where is California? The state is located in the west of the USA. Its coast is washed by the waters of the Pacific Ocean. In the north, the state borders with Oregon, with Arizona in the southeast, in the east with Nevada, and in the south its neighbor is Mexico.

The staff is considerably stretched along the sea shore. The length from north to south (1240 km) is almost three times the length from west to east (400 km). The size of California in the US surpasses only Alaska and Texas.

The proximity of the ocean significantly affects the weather conditions, primarily by forming fogs along the entire coast. In winter there is a lot of rain, and in summer droughts and heat are dominant. Not the last place is played by the mountains, which hold the moist air at the shore. Such conditions create a real paradise for tourists. In summer, many beaches are open to them, and in winter ski resorts operate.

History

State status was received by California only in 1850. Up to this point, many important events have happened. In the area where the state of California is located, there used to be about 70 different groups of Indians. The first European to visit these lands was Juan Cabrillo in 1542, after him, in 1579, Francis Drake arrived here , having founded the settlement of New Albion.

For a long time the territory was under the authority of the vice-kingdom of New Spain. Then the largest cities of the state were built. Until 1730, California was considered an island, until Francis de Ulloa proved that it is a peninsula.

At the end of the 18th century, with the beginning of the Russian-American campaign, the Russians are mastering these lands. And the Fort-Ross settlement is considered to be the southernmost outpost of the Russian Empire. Later it was sold to John Sutter.

Meanwhile, the influence of Spain is weakening, the lands are becoming subordinate to Mexico. In 1847, America is at war with Mexico, and the territory where California is located, is divided between these countries. For some time the state manages to gain independence and proclaim the republic. The Navy of America soon corrected this and subdued the lands of the United States.

In 1848, quite casually in the future state discover gold deposits. The search boom begins, the population of California in just a couple of years grows several times. Later, it will be called the Golden State.

sights

In America, there are few people who would not know where the California peninsula is. It is here that the most famous landmarks of the USA are located. Warm climate and proximity to the ocean only add to the attractiveness of this territory. Tourism is an important economic sector in California.

On the sunny coast of this state Hollywood is located - the area of the city of Los Angeles, where there is a huge number of film studios. In San Francisco, there is the world famous Golden Gate Bridge. Not far from the city is Silicon Valley - a place where outstanding minds work to create high technologies.

Despite the extremely hot climate, there are many natural attractions in the state of California. In the National Park "Sequoia" you can see giant trees up to 100 meters high.

Near San Francisco is the national park "Redwood". He served as a background for the filming of the planet Endor in the film "Star Wars." In the city of Anaheim is an amusement park "Disneyland", and the amusement park "Sea World" is located in San Diego. Here the present performance is regularly held, in which killer whales, penguins, walruses and polar bears participate.