Santa Monica College

Los Angeles

Capital: Sacramento

Governor: Gray Davis, D (to Jan. 2003)

Lieut. Governor: Cruz M. Bustamante, D (to Jan. 2003)

Senators: Barbara Boxer, D (to Jan. 2005); Dianne Feinstein, D (to Jan. 2007)

Secy. of State: Bill Jones, R (to Jan. 2003)

Controller: Kathleen Connell, D (to Jan. 2003)

Atty. General: Bill Lockyer, D (to Jan. 2003)

Treasurer: Phil Angelides, D (to Jan. 2003)

Supt. of Public Instruction: Delaine Eastin

Entered Union (rank): Sept. 9, 1850 (31)

Present constitution adopted: 1879

Motto: Eureka (I have found it)

State Symbols:

California - A World within a state

Academic Excellence - The California State University System

Although California was sighted by Spanish navigator Juan Rodríguez Cabrillo in 1542, its first Spanish mission (at San Diego) was not established until 1769. California became a U.S. territory in 1847 when Mexico surrendered it to John C. Frémont. On Jan. 24, 1848, James W. Marshall discovered gold at Sutter's Mill, starting the California Gold Rush and bringing settlers to the state in large numbers. In 1964, the U.S. Census Bureau estimated that California had become the most populous state, surpassing New York. One reason for this may be that more immigrants settle in California than any other state-more than one-third of the nation's total in 1994. Asians and Pacific Islanders led the influx.

Leading industries include agriculture, manufacturing (transportation equipment, machinery, and electronic equipment), biotechnology, aerospace-defense, and tourism. Principal natural resources include timber, petroleum, cement, and natural gas.

Death Valley, in the southeast, is 282 feet below sea level, the lowest point in the nation. Mt. Whitney (14,491 ft.) is the highest point in the contiguous 48 states. Lassen Peak is one of two active U.S. volcanoes outside of Alaska and Hawaii; its last eruptions were recorded in 1917.

Other points of interest include Yosemite National Park, Disneyland, Hollywood, the Golden Gate Bridge, Sequoia National Park, San Simeon State Park, and Point Reyes National Seashore.

Nickname: Golden State

Origin of name: From a book, Las Sergas de Esplandián, by Garcia Ordóñez de Montalvo, c. 1500

10 largest cities (1999 est.): Los Angeles, 3,633,591; San Diego, 1,238,974; San Jose, 867,675; San Francisco, 746,777; Long Beach, 435,027; Sacramento, 406,899; Fresno, 404,141; Oakland, 365,210; Santa Ana, 309,290; Anaheim, 300,650

Land area: 155,973 sq mi. (403,970 sq km)

Geographic center: In Madera Co., 35 mi. NE of Madera

Number of counties: 58

Largest county by population and area: Los Angeles, 9,329,989 (1999 est.); San Bernardino, 20,062 sq mi.

National forests: 18

State parks and beaches: 264

Residents: Californian

1999 resident population est.: 33,145,121

1990 resident census population (rank): 29,760,021 (1). Male: 14,897,627; Female: 14,862,394. White: 20,524,327 (69.9%); Black: 2,208,801 (7.4%); American Indian: 242,164 (0.8%); Asian: 2,845,659 (9.6%); Other race: 3,939,070 (13.2%); Hispanic: 7,687,938 (25.8%). 1990 percent population under 18: 26.0; 65 and over: 10.5; median age: 31.3.