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California Online
California's Geography
California's Geography
California is a geographically diverse state, as seen in the majestic peaks of the Cascade Range in the north to the arid desert region of the southeast. Deep within Death Valley—the driest and hottest place in North America—lies Badwater, the continent's lowest point at 282 feet (86 m) below sea level. About seventy miles west—and nearly three miles higher—stands Mount Whitney at 14, 494 feet (4,418 m) in the Sierra Nevada range. Vast forests of towering pines and redwoods line California's nearly thousand-mile coastline. The Coast Ranges rise along the Pacific
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| Row houses,
San Francisco, CA |
Ocean. In between lies the fertile Central Valley, source of most of California's agricultural wealth. Daily life in California is affected by its geographical features, both natural and human-made.
California has a population of nearly 35.5 million, more than any other state in the United States. California's people are mostly concentrated around the state's cities. Four of the nation's 20 largest cities—Los Angeles, San Diego, San Jose, and San Francisco—are in California. The state capital is Sacramento.
California Map
http://www.infoplease.com/atlas/state/california.html
California Counties
California is divided into 58 counties. California's largest county is Los Angeles County, home to almost 10 million residents. Napa County, home to almost 130,000 residents, is California's smallest county. When California became a state in 1850, there were only 27 counties. The last county to be formed was Imperial County in 1907. Today, county governments are very active and provide many services to their citizens. California's counties maintain Web sites where you can learn about their communities.
For a complete list of the 58 counties of California, go to
http://www.cicg.org/publications/profiles/factbook.php
California's Natural Resources
California is rich with many natural resources. The state's soil and climate make it possible for farmers to grow a wide variety of crops. California is unusually rich in minerals and timber. California has deposits of petroleum, natural gas, tungsten, gold, and boron. Forests, mostly of sequoia and pine, cover about 40 percent of the state. They are important for timber production and preserving the state's water supply.
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| California's
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Water is one of California's most important resources. Mountain areas in the north have plenty of water from rain and melted snow. Most farms, industries, and homes, however, are located in the dry southern valleys. Canals, channels, and large pipelines are used to transport water from rainy areas to dry places where it is needed. California's major rivers are the Sacramento and the San Joaquin. Both drain the fertile Central Valley.
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