Cities In California - Quick Facts, History & Geography
Some Quick Facts about California
There's so much to know about the great state of California. These quick facts will hopefully provide a small glimpse into the natural beauty and diversity that is on offer in this huge state. With a land area of 163,695 California is the 3rd largest state by land mass. There are 482 cities in California, with Sacramento being the state capital. To no surprise, Los Angeles is the largest city in California and also the largest city in the United States by population. In 1849, California started the process of statehood and on September 9, 1850 California became the 31st state. Fittingly, the state nickname of California is "The Golden State". California has the most major league sports team in the United States. California is the 3rd largest state by land area and the most populated state with about 40 million residents. California has more National Parks than any other state. At 380 feet, Hyperion a coast redwood tree is the tallest tree in the world. California is the avocado capital of the world, harvesting more than 138 thousand tons in 2022. California experiences more than 100 earthquakes per day with the largest registering in at a 7.2 magnitude. Some famous people born in California include Leonardo DiCaprio, Dwayne Johnson, Ben Affleck, Tom Hanks, Nicolas Cage, Kevin Costner, Katy Perry and Marilyn Monroe.
The Fascinating History of California
The history of California is an interesting tale of discovery, exploration, culture and gold! From early indigenous settlers, to a global powerhouse, California's history is shaped by its past. For thousands of years California was home to the Ohlone, Pomo, Miwok and Chumash tribes. In the 1542, Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo, a Spanish explorer, became the first European to set foot on California. By the time the mid-19th century came along, California would witness multiple events that would shape its future. It began with the California Gold Rush of 1848 where gold was discovered leading to thousands of gold miners trying to cash in. This led to rapid expansion, development and population growth as the state underwent a full transformation. After entering statehood in 1850, the population continued to surge as immigrants from all over the world settled in California. In 1906, San Francisco would be hit by one of the worst earthquakes ever witnessed as a large portion of the city would need to be rebuilt. In the second half of the 20th century, California became a global hub of innovation in industries like aerospace, entertainment and technology. Agriculture was also booming and attracting talented farmers from around the globe. Today, California remains a global force in almost all industries and markets.
The Incredible Geography of California
Perhaps as diverse as the state itself, California's geography encompasses a range of landscapes, climates and natural wonders. From the beautiful beaches spanning the coastline to the giant sequoia trees in the Giant Forest, California's geography offers unlimited natural beauty. The coastal region spans more than 840 miles along California's coast and features incredible white sand beaches, steep cliffs and quaint seaside towns. The snow-capped Sierra Nevada Mountain peaks, rise above the lakes and the pristine wilderness below. These mountains are also home to expansive national parks like Yosemite National Park and Kings Canyon. The southeastern part of California features the Mojave Desert and the Colorado Desert. Here, you will find sand dunes, canyons and the Joshua Tree National Park. If that wasn't enough, California also has a history of volcanic activity that add to the state's geographic diversity.
Relocating to California?
As one of the largest, most prosperous states in the country, the cities in California stand out above the crowd in a lot of ways. For those who are looking at multiple California cities and wondering where to live; is should be understood that the opportunities are plentiful and it's hard to make a wrong choice. You can enjoy southern California, an area of the country that is renowned for its beaches and awesome hotels and restaurants. A map of cities in California will confirm the vast amount of beaches covering multiple cities in California. Northern California is quite different, but also very nice, with San Francisco and the wine country being two top destinations. There are attractions year around, depending upon your interests and where you want to see specifically.
With California being such a large state, you get a little bit of everything. California cities like Pasadena are quite wealthy and San Francisco has some of the highest cost of living in the nation. There are plenty of safe places, but crime in California cane be a bit of a problem in larger metro areas like Los Angeles and some of the places near Sacramento. As far as housing is concerned, it all depends upon location and what you are looking for. If you want the nice weather in San Diego, then you will pay more. Likewise, you can find houses and condos in San Francisco, but expect to pay a bounty.
If you're California Dreamin', you can start your search with the map of California cities which will allow you to narrow your search. From there, you can dig deeper into any California city with a full workup with local amenities, crime, cost of living, housing and more.
