California

California
State
Flag Seal
Nickname: The Golden State [1]
Motto: " Eureka" [2]
Anthem:"I Love You, California"
Map of the United States with California highlighted
Country	United States
Before statehood	Mexican Cessionunorganized territory
Admitted to the Union	September 9, 1850; 173 years ago(1850-09-09)(31st)
Capital	Sacramento
Largest city	Los Angeles
Largest metroandurbanareas	Greater Los Angeles
Government
•Governor	Gavin Newsom(D)
•Lieutenant Governor	Eleni Kounalakis(D)
Legislature	State Legislature
•Upper house	State Senate
•Lower house	State Assembly
Judiciary	Supreme Court of California
U.S. senators	Alex Padilla(D) Laphonza Butler(D)
U.S. House delegation	40Democrats 12Republicans (list)
Area
• Total	163,696 sq mi (423,970 km2)
• Land	155,959 sq mi (403,932 km2)
• Water	7,737 sq mi (20,047 km2) 4.7%
• Rank	3rd
Dimensions
• Length	760 mi (1,220 km)
• Width	250 mi (400 km)
Elevation	2,900 ft (880 m)
Highest elevation ( Mount Whitney [3] [4] [note 1] [note 2])	14,505 ft (4,421.0 m)
Lowest elevation ( Badwater Basin [5])	−279 ft (−85.0 m)
Population (2023)
• Total	38,940,231[6]
• Rank	1st
• Density	251.3/sq mi (97/km2)
• Rank	11th
•Median household income	$78,700[7]
• Income rank	5th
Demonym(s)	Californian Californio(archaic Spanish) Californiano (Spanish)
Language
•Official language	English
•Spoken language	Englishonly: 56.1% Spanish: 28.3% Others: 15.6%[8]
Time zone	UTC−08:00(PST)
• Summer (DST)	UTC−07:00(PDT)
USPS abbreviation	CA
ISO 3166 code	US-CA
Traditional abbreviation	Calif., Cal., Cali.
Latitude	32°32′ N to 42° N
Longitude	114°8′ W to 124°26′ W
Website	ca.gov

State symbols of California

List of state symbols
Flag of California
Seal of California
Living insignia
Amphibian	California red-legged frog
Bird	California quail
Fish	Fresh water:Golden trout Marine:Garibaldi
Flower	California poppy
Fruit	Avocado
Grass	Purple needlegrass
Insect	California dogface butterfly
Mammal	Land:California grizzly bear(state animal)[2] Marine:Gray whale
Mushroom	California Golden Chanterelle
Reptile	Desert tortoise
Tree	Coast redwood&giant sequoia[10]
Vegetable	Artichoke
Inanimate insignia
Colors	Blue&Gold[9]
Dance	West Coast Swing
Dinosaur	Augustynolophus
Folk dance	Square dance
Fossil	Sabre-toothed cat
Gemstone	Benitoite
Mineral	Native gold
Rock	Serpentine
Ship	Californian
Soil	San Joaquin
Sport	Surfing
Tartan	California state tartan
State route marker
State quarter
Released in 2005
Lists of United States state symbols

Californiais astatein theWestern United States, lying on the AmericanPacific Coast. It bordersOregonto the north,NevadaandArizonato the east, and aninternational borderwith theMexicanstate ofBaja Californiato the south. With nearly 39million residents across an area of 163,696 square miles (423,970 km²),^[11]it is themost populousU.S. state, thethird-largestby area, and most populatedsubnational entityinNorth America.

Prior toEuropean colonization, California was one of the most culturally and linguistically diverse areas inpre-Columbian North America. European exploration in the 16th and 17th centuries led to the colonization by theSpanish Empire. The area became a part ofMexicoin 1821, following its successfulwar for independence, butwas ceded to the United Statesin 1848 after theMexican–American War. TheCalifornia Gold Rushstarted in 1848 and led to social and demographic changes, including depopulation of indigenous peoples in theCalifornia genocide. The western portion of Alta California was then organized andadmitted as the 31st state in 1850, as afree state, following theCompromise of 1850.

TheGreater Los AngelesandSan Francisco Bayareas are the nation's second- and fifth-most populousurban regions, with 19 million and 10 million residents respectively.^[12]Los Angelesis the state'smost populous cityand the nation'ssecond-most; California'scapitalisSacramento.The state's diverse geographyranges from thePacific Coastand metropolitan areas in the west to theSierra Nevadamountains in the east, and from theredwoodandDouglas firforests in the northwest to theMojave Desertin the southeast. Two-thirds of the nation'searthquakerisk lies in California.^[13]TheCentral Valley, afertileagricultural area, dominates the state's center. The large size of the state results inclimatesthat vary from moisttemperate rainforestin the north to ariddesertin the interior, as well as snowyalpinein themountains.Droughtsandwildfiresare an ongoing issue.^[14]

California's economyis the largest of any U.S. state, with a $4.0 trilliongross state productas of 2024^[update].^[15]It is thelargest sub-national economyin the world.California's agricultural industryhas the highest output of any U.S. state,^[16][17][18]and is led by itsdairy,almonds, andgrapes.^[19]With the busiest port in the country (Los Angeles), California plays a pivotal role in the global supply chain, hauling in about 40% of goods imported to the US.^[20]Notable contributions topopular culture, ranging fromentertainment,sports,music, andfashion, have their origins in California. California is the home ofHollywood, the oldest and one of the largest film industries in the world, profoundly influencing global entertainment. The San Francisco Bay and the Greater Los Angeles areas are seen as the centers of the global technology andU.S. filmindustries, respectively.^[21]

The Spaniards gave the nameLas Californiasto thepeninsula of Baja California(in modern-day Mexico). As Spanish explorers and settlers moved north and inland, the region known asCalifornia, orLas Californias, grew. Eventually it included lands north of the peninsula,Alta California, part of which became the present-day U.S. state of California.

A 2017 state legislative document states, "Numerous theories exist as to the origin and meaning of the word 'California,'" and that all anyone knows is the name was added to a map by 1541 "presumably by a Spanish navigator."^[22]

The name most likely derived from the mythical island of California in the fictional story ofQueen Calafia, as recorded in a 1510 workThe Adventures of EsplandiánbyGarci Rodríguez de Montalvo.^[23]Queen Calafia's kingdom was said to be a remote land rich in gold and pearls, inhabited by beautiful Black women who wore gold armor and lived likeAmazons, as well asgriffinsand other strange beasts.^[23][24][25]

Official abbreviations of the state's name includeCA, Cal., Calif., andUS-CA.

California was one of the most culturally and linguistically diverse areas inpre-Columbian North America.^[26]Historians generally agree that there were at least 300,000 people living in California prior to European colonization.^[27]Theindigenous peoples of Californiaincluded more than70 distinct ethnic groups, inhabiting environments ranging from mountains and deserts to islands and redwood forests.^[28]

Living in these diverse geographic areas, the indigenous peoples developed complex forms of ecosystem management, includingforest gardeningto ensure the regular availability of food andmedicinal plants.^[29][30]This was a form ofsustainable agriculture.^[31]To mitigate destructive large wildfires from ravaging the natural environment, indigenous peoples developed a practice ofcontrolled burning.^[32]This practice was recognized for its benefits by the California government in 2022.^[33]

These groups were also diverse in their political organization, with bands, tribes, villages, and, on the resource-rich coasts, largechiefdoms, such as theChumash,PomoandSalinan. Trade, intermarriage, craft specialists, and military alliances fostered social and economic relationships between many groups. Although nations would sometimes war, most armed conflicts were between groups of men forvengeance. Acquiring territory was not usually the purpose of these small-scale battles.^[34]

Men and women generally had differentrolesin society. Women were often responsible for weaving, harvesting, processing, and preparing food, while men for hunting and other forms of physical labor. Most societies also had roles for people whom the Spanish referred to asjoyas,^[35]who they saw as "men who dressed as women".^[36]Joyaswere responsible fordeath,burial, andmourning rituals, and they performed women's social roles.^[36]Indigenous societies had terms such astwo-spiritto refer to them. TheChumashreferred to them as'aqi.^[36]The early Spanish settlers detested and sought to eliminate them.^[37]

The first Europeans to explore thecoast of Californiawere the members of aSpanishmaritime expedition led by Portuguese captainJuan Rodríguez Cabrilloin 1542. Cabrillo was commissioned byAntonio de Mendoza, theViceroy of New Spain, to lead an expedition up the Pacific coast in search of trade opportunities; they enteredSan Diego Bayon September 28, 1542, and reached at least as far north asSan Miguel Island.^[38]Privateer and explorerFrancis Drakeexplored and claimed an undefined portion of the California coast in 1579, landing north of the future city ofSan Francisco. The first Asians to set foot on what would be the United States occurred in 1587, whenFilipinosailors arrived in Spanish ships atMorro Bay.^[39][40]Coincidentally thedescendants of the MuslimCaliphHasan ibn Aliin formerlyIslamic Manilaand had converted, then mixed Christianity with Islam, upon Spanish conquest,transited through California (Named after a Caliph)on their way toGuerrero, Mexico^[41]where they played a future role in thewars of independence.Sebastián Vizcaínoexplored and mapped the coast of California in 1602 forNew Spain, putting ashore inMonterey.^[42]Despite the on-the-ground explorations of California in the 16th century, Rodríguez'sidea of California as an islandpersisted. Such depictions appeared on many European maps well into the 18th century.^[43]

ThePortolá expeditionof 1769–70 was a pivotal event in the Spanish colonization of California, resulting in the establishment of numerous missions,presidios, andpueblos. The military and civil contingent of the expedition was led byGaspar de Portolá, who traveled over land fromSonorainto California, while the religious component was headed byJunípero Serra, who came by sea fromBaja California. In 1769, Portolá and Serra establishedMission San Diego de Alcaláand thePresidio of San Diego, the first religious and military settlements founded by the Spanish in California. By the end of the expedition in 1770, they would establish thePresidio of MontereyandMission San Carlos Borromeo de Carmeloon Monterey Bay.

After the Portolà expedition, Spanishmissionariesled by Father-President Serra set out to establish 21Spanish missions of CaliforniaalongEl Camino Real("The Royal Road") and along the California coast, 16 sites of which having been chosen during the Portolá expedition. Numerous major cities in California grew out of missions, including San Francisco (Mission San Francisco de Asís), San Diego (Mission San Diego de Alcalá), Ventura (Mission San Buenaventura), or Santa Barbara (Mission Santa Barbara), among others.

Juan Bautista de Anzaled a similarly important expedition throughout California in 1775–76, which would extend deeper into the interior and north of California. The Anza expedition selected numerous sites for missions, presidios, and pueblos, which subsequently would be established by settlers.Gabriel Moraga, a member of the expedition, would also christen many of California's prominent rivers with their names in 1775–1776, such as theSacramento Riverand theSan Joaquin River. After the expedition, Gabriel's son,José Joaquín Moraga, would found the pueblo ofSan Josein 1777, making it the first civilian-established city in California.

During this same period, sailors from theRussian Empireexplored along the northern coast of California. In 1812, theRussian-American Companyestablished a trading post and small fortification atFort Rosson theNorth Coast.^[44][45]Fort Ross was primarily used to supplyRussia's Alaskan colonieswith food supplies. The settlement did not meet much success, failing to attract settlers or establish long term trade viability, and was abandoned by 1841.

During theWar of Mexican Independence, Alta California was largely unaffected and uninvolved in the revolution,^[46]though manyCaliforniossupported independence fromSpain, which many believed had neglected California and limited its development.^[47]Spain's trade monopoly on California had limited local trade prospects. Following Mexican independence, California ports were freely able to trade with foreign merchants. GovernorPablo Vicente de Solápresided over the transition fromSpanish colonial ruleto independent Mexican rule.

In 1821, theMexican War of Independencegave theMexican Empire(which included California) independence from Spain. For the next 25 years, Alta California remained a remote, sparsely populated, northwestern administrative district of the newly independent country of Mexico, which shortly after independence became a republic. Themissions, which controlled most of the best land in the state, weresecularizedby 1834 and became the property of the Mexican government.^[48]The governor granted many square leagues of land to others with political influence. These hugeranchosor cattle ranches emerged as the dominant institutions of Mexican California. The ranchos developed under ownership byCalifornios(Hispanics native of California) who traded cowhides and tallow with Boston merchants. Beef did not become a commodity until the 1849California Gold Rush.

From the 1820s, trappers and settlers from the United States and Canada began to arrive in Northern California. These new arrivals used theSiskiyou Trail,California Trail,Oregon TrailandOld Spanish Trailto cross the rugged mountains and harsh deserts in and surrounding California. The early government of the newly independent Mexico was highly unstable, and in a reflection of this, from 1831 onwards, California also experienced a series of armed disputes, both internal and with the central Mexican government.^[49]During this tumultuous political periodJuan Bautista Alvaradowas able to secure the governorship during 1836–1842.^[50]The military action which first brought Alvarado to power had momentarily declared California to be an independent state, and had been aided byAnglo-Americanresidents of California,^[51]includingIsaac Graham.^[52]In 1840, one hundred of those residents who did not have passports were arrested, leading to theGraham Affair, which was resolved in part with the intercession ofRoyal Navyofficials.^[51]

One of the largest ranchers in California wasJohn Marsh. After failing to obtain justice against squatters on his land from the Mexican courts, he determined that California should become part of the United States. Marsh conducted a letter-writing campaign espousing the California climate, the soil, and other reasons to settle there, as well as the best route to follow, which became known as "Marsh's route". His letters were read, reread, passed around, and printed in newspapers throughout the country, and started the first wagon trains rolling to California.^[53]After ushering in the period of organized emigration to California, Marsh became involved in a military battle between the much-hated Mexican general,Manuel Micheltorenaand the California governor he had replaced, Juan Bautista Alvarado. At theBattle of Providencianear Los Angeles, he convinced each side that they had no reason to be fighting each other. As a result of Marsh's actions, they abandoned the fight, Micheltorena was defeated, and California-bornPio Picowas returned to the governorship. This paved the way to California's ultimate acquisition by the United States.^{[54][55][56][57][58]}

In 1846, a group of American settlers in and aroundSonomarebelled against Mexican rule during theBear Flag Revolt. Afterward, rebels raised theBear Flag(featuring a bear, a star, a red stripe and the words "California Republic") at Sonoma. The Republic's only president wasWilliam B. Ide,^[59]who played a pivotal role during the Bear Flag Revolt. This revolt by American settlers served as a prelude to the later American military invasion of California and was closely coordinated with nearby American military commanders.

The California Republic was short-lived;^[60]the same year marked the outbreak of theMexican–American War(1846–1848).^[61]

CommodoreJohn D. Sloatof theUnited States Navysailed intoMonterey Bayin 1846 and began theU.S. military invasion of California, with Northern California capitulating in less than a month to the United States forces.^[62]In Southern California, Californios continued to resist American forces. Notable military engagements of the conquest include theBattle of San Pasqualand theBattle of Dominguez Ranchoin Southern California, as well as theBattle of Olómpaliand theBattle of Santa Clarain Northern California. After a series of defensive battles in the south, theTreaty of Cahuengawas signed by theCalifornioson January 13, 1847, securing a censure and establishingde factoAmerican control in California.^[63]

Following theTreaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo(February 2, 1848) that ended the war, the westernmost portion of the annexed Mexican territory of Alta California soon became the American state of California, and the remainder of the old territory was then subdivided into the new American Territories of Arizona, Nevada,ColoradoandUtah. The even more lightly populated and arid lower region of old Baja California remained as a part of Mexico. In 1846, the total settler population of the western part of the old Alta California had been estimated to be no more than 8,000, plus about 100,000 Native Americans, down from about 300,000 before Hispanic settlement in 1769.^[64]

In 1848, only one week before the official American annexation of the area, gold was discovered in California, this being an event which was to forever alter both the state's demographics and its finances. Soon afterward, a massive influx of immigration into the area resulted, as prospectors and miners arrived by the thousands. The population burgeoned with United States citizens, Europeans, Middle Easterns, Chinese and other immigrants during the greatCalifornia Gold Rush. By the time of California's application for statehood in 1850, the settler population of California had multiplied to 100,000. By 1854, more than 300,000 settlers had come.^[65]Between 1847 and 1870, the population of San Francisco increased from 500 to 150,000.^[66]

The seat of government for California under Spanish and later Mexican rule had been located inMontereyfrom 1777 until 1845.^[48]Pio Pico, the last Mexican governor of Alta California, had briefly moved the capital to Los Angeles in 1845. The United Statesconsulatehad also been located in Monterey, under consulThomas O. Larkin.

In 1849, a state Constitutional Convention was first held in Monterey. Among the first tasks of the convention was a decision on a location for the new state capital. The first full legislative sessions were held in San Jose (1850–1851). Subsequent locations includedVallejo(1852–1853), and nearbyBenicia(1853–1854); these locations eventually proved to be inadequate as well. The capital has been located inSacramentosince 1854^[67]with only a short break in 1862 when legislative sessions were held in San Francisco due toflooding in Sacramento. Once the state's Constitutional Convention had finalized its state constitution, it applied to the U.S. Congress foradmission to statehood. On September 9, 1850, as part of theCompromise of 1850, California became afree stateand September9 astate holiday.

During theAmerican Civil War(1861–1865), California sent gold shipments eastward to Washingtonin support of the Union.^[68]However, due to the existence of a large contingent of pro-South sympathizers within the state, the state was not able to muster any full military regiments to send eastwards to officially serve in the Union war effort. Still, several smaller military units within the Union army, such as the"California 100 Company", were unofficially associated with the state of California due to a majority of their members being from California.

At the time of California's admission into the Union, travel between California and the rest of the continental United States had been a time-consuming and dangerous feat. Nineteen years later, and seven years after it was greenlighted by President Lincoln, thefirst transcontinental railroadwas completed in 1869. California was then reachable from the eastern States in a week's time.

Much of the state was extremely well suited to fruit cultivation and agriculture in general. Vast expanses of wheat, 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.

In the nineteenth century, a large number of migrants from China traveled to the state as part of theGold Rushor to seek work.^[69]Even though the Chinese proved indispensable in building the transcontinental railroad from California to Utah, perceived job competition with the Chinese led to anti-Chinese riots in the state, and eventually the US ended migration from China partially as a response to pressure from California with the 1882Chinese Exclusion Act.^[70]

Under earlier Spanish and Mexican rule, California's original native population had precipitously declined, above all, from Eurasian diseases to which theindigenous people of Californiahad not yet developed a natural immunity.^[73]Under its new American administration, California's first governorPeter Hardeman Burnettinstituted policies that have been described as a state-sanctioned policy of elimination toward California's indigenous people.^[74]Burnett announced in 1851 in his Second Annual Message to the Legislature: "That a war of extermination will continue to be waged between the races until the Indian race becomes extinct must be expected. While we cannot anticipate the result with but painful regret, the inevitable destiny of the race is beyond the power and wisdom of man to avert."^[75]

As in other American states, indigenous peoples were forcibly removed from their lands by Americansettlers, like miners, ranchers, and farmers. Although California had entered the American union as a free state, the "loitering or orphaned Indians", werede factoenslaved by their new Anglo-American masters under the 1850Act for the Government and Protection of Indians.^[76]One of thesede factoslave auctionswas approved by theLos Angeles City Counciland occurred for nearly twenty years.^[77]There were many massacres in which hundreds of indigenous people were killed by settlers for their land.^[78]

Between 1850 and 1860, the California state government paid around 1.5million dollars (some 250,000 of which was reimbursed by the federal government)^[79]to hire militias with the stated purpose of protecting settlers, however these militias perpetrated numerous massacres of indigenous people.^[72][78]Indigenous people were also forcibly moved to reservations and rancherias, which were often small and isolated and without enough natural resources or funding from the government to adequately sustain the populations living on them.^[72]As a result,settler colonialismwas a calamity for indigenous people. Several scholars and Native American activists, including Benjamin Madley andEd Castillo, have described the actions of the California governmentas a genocide,^[72][71]as well as the 40th governor of CaliforniaGavin Newsom.^[80]Benjamin Madley estimates that from 1846 to 1873, between 9,492 and 16,092 indigenous people were killed, including between 1,680 and 3,741 killed by the U.S. Army.^[71]

In the 20th century, thousands of Japanese people migrated to California. The state in 1913 passed theAlien Land Act, excluding Asian immigrants from owning land.^[81]During World War II,Japanese Americans in California were internedin concentration camps;^[82]in 2020, California apologized.^[83]

Migration to California accelerated during the early 20th century with the completion of transcontinental highways like theRoute 66. From 1900 to 1965, the population grew from fewer than one million to the greatest in the Union. In 1940, the Census Bureau reported California's population as 6% Hispanic, 2.4% Asian, and 90% non-Hispanic white.^[84]

To meet the population's needs, engineering feats like theCaliforniaandLos Angeles Aqueducts; theOrovilleandShasta Dams; and theBayandGolden GateBridges were built. The state government adopted theCalifornia Master Plan for Higher Educationin 1960 to develop an efficient system of public education.

Meanwhile, attracted to the mild Mediterranean climate, cheap land, and the state's variety of geography, filmmakers established thestudio systemin Hollywood in the 1920s. California manufactured 9% of US armaments producedduring World War II, ranking third behindNew YorkandMichigan.^[85]California easily ranked first in production of military ships at drydock facilities in San Diego, Los Angeles, and the San Francisco Bay Area.^{[86][87][88][89]}Due to the hiring opportunities California offered during the conflict, the population multiplied from the immigration it received due to the work in its war factories, military bases, and training facilities.^[90]After World War II, California's economy expanded due to strongaerospaceanddefenseindustries,^[91]whose size decreased following the end of theCold War.^[91][92]Stanford Universitybegan encouraging faculty and graduates to stay instead of leaving the state, and develop a high-tech region, now known asSilicon Valley.^[93]As a result of this, California is a world center of the entertainment and music industries, of technology, engineering, and the aerospace industry, and as the US center of agricultural production.^[94]Just before theDot Com Bust, California had the fifth-largest economy in the world.^[95]

In the mid and late twentieth century, race-related incidents occurred. Tensions between police and African Americans, combined with unemployment and poverty in inner cities, led to riots, such as the 1992Rodney King riots.^[96][97]California was the hub of theBlack Panther Party, known for arming African Americans to defend against racial injustice.^[98][99]Mexican, Filipino, and other migrant farm workers rallied in the state aroundCesar Chavezfor better pay in the 1960s and 70s.^[100]

During the 20th century, two great disasters happened: the1906 San Francisco earthquakeand 1928St. Francis Damflood remain the deadliest in U.S. history.^[101]

Although air pollution has been reduced, health problems associated with pollution continue. Brown haze known as "smog" has been substantially abated after federal and state restrictions on automobile exhaust.^[102][103]Anenergy crisis in 2001led torolling blackouts, soaring power rates, and the importation of electricity from neighboring states.Southern California EdisonandPacific Gas and Electric Companycame under heavy criticism.^[104]

Housing prices in urban areas continued to increase; a modest home which in the 1960s cost $25,000 would cost half a million dollars or more in urban areas by 2005. More people commuted longer hours to afford a home in more rural areas while earning larger salaries in the urban areas. Speculators bought houses, expecting to make a huge profit in months, then rolling it over by buying more properties.Mortgagecompanies were compliant, as people assumed prices would keep rising. Thebubble burstin 2007–8 as prices began to crash. Hundreds of billions in property values vanished and foreclosures soared, as financial institutions and investors were badly hurt.^[105][106]

In the 21st century, droughts and frequent wildfires attributed to climate change have occurred.^[107][108]From 2011 to 2017, apersistent droughtwas the worst in its recorded history.^[109]The 2018 wildfire season was the state's deadliest and most destructive.^[110]

One of the first confirmedCOVID-19cases in the United States occurred in California on January 26, 2020.^[111][112]Astate of emergencywas declared in the state on March 4, 2020, and remained in effect until GovernorGavin Newsomended it in February 2023.^[113]A mandatory statewidestay-at-home orderwas issued on March 19, 2020, which was ended in January 2021.^[114]

Cultural andlanguage revitalizationefforts among indigenous Californians have progressed among tribes as of 2022.^[115][116]Someland returnsto indigenous stewardship have occurred.^{[117][118][119]}In 2022, the largestdam removaland river restoration project in US history was announced for theKlamath River, as a win for California tribes.^[120][121]

Covering an area of 163,696 sq mi (423,970 km²), California is thethird-largest state in the United Statesin area, afterAlaskaandTexas.^[122]California is one of the most geographically diverse states in the union and is often geographically bisected into two regions,Southern California, comprising the ten southernmost counties,^[123][124]andNorthern California, comprising the 48 northernmost counties.^[125][126]It is bordered byOregonto the north,Nevadato the east and northeast,Arizonato the southeast, thePacific Oceanto the west and shares an international border with theMexicanstate ofBaja Californiato the south (with which it makes up part ofThe Californiasregion ofNorth America, alongsideBaja California Sur).

In the middle of the state lies theCalifornia Central Valley, bounded by the Sierra Nevada in the east, thecoastal mountain rangesin the west, theCascade Rangeto the north and by theTehachapi Mountainsin the south. The Central Valley is California's productive agricultural heartland.

Divided in two by theSacramento-San Joaquin River Delta, the northern portion, theSacramento Valleyserves as the watershed of theSacramento River, while the southern portion, theSan Joaquin Valleyis the watershed for theSan Joaquin River. Both valleys derive their names from the rivers that flow through them. With dredging, the Sacramento and the San Joaquin Rivers have remained deep enough for several inland cities to beseaports.

The Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta is a critical water supply hub for the state. Water is diverted from the delta and through an extensive network ofpumpsand canals that traverse nearly the length of the state, to the Central Valley and the State Water Projects and other needs. Water from the Delta provides drinking water for nearly 23million people, almost two-thirds of the state's population as well as water for farmers on the west side of the San Joaquin Valley.

Suisun Baylies at the confluence of the Sacramento and San Joaquin Rivers. The water is drained by theCarquinez Strait, which flows intoSan Pablo Bay, a northern extension ofSan Francisco Bay, which then connects to thePacific Oceanvia theGolden Gatestrait.

TheChannel Islandsare located off theSouthern coast, while theFarallon Islandslie west of San Francisco.

The Sierra Nevada (Spanish for "snowy range") includes the highest peak in thecontiguous 48 states,Mount Whitney, at 14,505 feet (4,421 m).^{[3][4][note 1]}The range embracesYosemite Valley, famous for its glacially carved domes, andSequoia National Park, home to thegiant sequoiatrees, the largest living organisms on Earth, and the deep freshwater lake,Lake Tahoe, the largest lake in the state by volume.

To the east of the Sierra Nevada areOwens ValleyandMono Lake, an essentialmigratory birdhabitat. In the western part of the state isClear Lake, the largest freshwater lake by area entirely in California. Although 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, includingPalisade Glacier, the southernmost glacier in the United States.

TheTulare Lakewas the largest freshwater lake west of the Mississippi River. A remnant ofPleistocene-eraLake Corcoran, Tulare Lake dried up by the early 20th century after its tributary rivers were diverted for agricultural irrigation and municipal water uses.^[127]

About 45 percent of the state's total surface area is covered by forests,^[128]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 theCalifornia White Mountainsare the oldest in the world; an individualbristlecone pineis over 5,000 years old.^[129][130]

In the south is a large inland salt lake, theSalton Sea. The south-central desert is called theMojave; to the northeast of the Mojave liesDeath Valley, which contains the lowest and hottest place in North America, theBadwater Basinat −279 feet (−85 m).^[5]The horizontal distance from the bottom of Death Valley to the top of Mount Whitney is less than 90 miles (140 km). Indeed, almost all of southeastern California is arid, hot desert, with routine extreme high temperatures during the summer. The southeastern border of California with Arizona is entirely formed by theColorado River, from which the southern part of the state gets about half of its water.

A majority of California's cities are located in either theSan Francisco Bay Areaor theSacramento metropolitan areainNorthern California; or theLos Angeles area, theInland Empire, or theSan Diego metropolitan areainSouthern California. The Los Angeles Area, the Bay Area, and the San Diego metropolitan area are among several major metropolitan areas along the California coast.

As part of theRing of Fire, California is subject totsunamis,floods,droughts,Santa Ana winds,wildfires, andlandslideson steep terrain; California also has severalvolcanoes. It has manyearthquakesdue to several faults running through the state, the largest being theSan Andreas Fault. About 37,000earthquakesare recorded each year; most are too small to be felt,^[131]but two-thirds of the human risk from earthquakes lies in California.^[13]

Most of the state has aMediterranean climate. The coolCalifornia Currentoffshore often creates summerfognear the coast. Farther inland, there are colder winters and hotter summers. The maritime moderation results in the shoreline summertime temperatures of Los Angeles andSan Franciscobeing the coolest of all major metropolitan areas of the United States and uniquely cool compared to areas on the same latitude in the interior and on the east coast of the North American continent. Even theSan Diegoshoreline bordering Mexico is cooler in summer than most areas in the contiguous United States. Just a few miles inland, summer temperature extremes are significantly higher, with downtown Los Angeles being several degreeswarmerthan at the coast. The samemicroclimatephenomenon is seen in theclimate of the Bay Area, where areas sheltered from the ocean experience significantly hotter summers and colder winters in contrast with nearby areas closer to the ocean.^{[132][133][134]}

Northern parts of the state have more rain than the south. California's mountain ranges also influence the climate: some of the rainiest parts of the state are west-facing mountain slopes. Coastal northwestern California has atemperate climate, and the Central Valley has a Mediterranean climate but with greater temperature extremes than the coast. The high mountains, including the Sierra Nevada, have analpine climatewith snow in winter and mild to moderate heat in summer.

California's mountains producerain shadowson the eastern side, creating extensivedeserts. The higher elevation deserts ofeastern Californiahave hot summers and cold winters, while the low deserts east of the Southern California mountains have hot summers and nearly frostless mild winters.Death Valley, a desert with large expanses below sea level, is considered the hottest location in the world; the highest temperature in the world,^[135][136]134 °F (56.7 °C), was recorded there on July 10, 1913. The lowest temperature in California was −45 °F (−43 °C) on January 20, 1937, inBoca.^[137]

The table below lists average temperatures for January and August in a selection of places throughout the state; some highly populated and some not. This includes the relatively cool summers of theHumboldt Bayregion aroundEureka, the extreme heat ofDeath Valley, and the mountain climate ofMammothin the Sierra Nevada.

Average temperatures and precipitation for selected communities in California ^[138]

Location	August (°F)	August (°C)	January (°F)	January (°C)	Annual precipitation (mm/in)
Los Angeles	83/64	29/18	66/48	20/8	377/15
LAX/LA Beaches	75/64	23/18	65/49	18/9	326/13
San Diego	76/67	24/19	65/49	18/9	262/10
San Jose	82/58	27/14	58/42	14/5	401/16
San Francisco	67/54	20/12	56/46	14/8	538/21
Fresno	97/66	34/19	55/38	12/3	292/11
Sacramento	91/58	33/14	54/39	12/3	469/18
Oakland	73/58	23/14	58/44	14/7	588/23
Bakersfield	96/69	36/21	56/39	13/3	165/7
Riverside	94/60	35/18	67/39	19/4	260/10
Eureka	62/53	16/11	54/41	12/5	960/38
Death Valley	115/86	46/30	67/40	19/4	60/2
Mammoth Lakes	77/45	25/7	40/15	4/ −9	583/23

The wide range of climates leads to a high demand for water. Over time,droughtshave been increasingdue to climate changeandoverextraction,^[139]becoming less seasonal and more year-round, further straining California'selectricity supply^[140]andwater security^[141][142]and having an impact on California business, industry, and agriculture.^[143]

In 2022, a new state program was created in collaboration withindigenous peoples of Californiato revive the practice ofcontrolled burnsas a way of clearing excessive forest debris and making landscapes more resilient to wildfires.Native American use of fire in ecosystemmanagement was outlawed in 1911, yet has now been recognized.^[14]

California is one of the ecologically richest and most diverse parts of the world, and includes some of the most endangered ecological communities. California is part of theNearctic realmand spans a number of terrestrialecoregions.^[144]

California's large number ofendemicspecies includesrelictspecies, which have died out elsewhere, such as the Catalina ironwood (Lyonothamnus floribundus). Many other endemics originated through differentiation oradaptive radiation, whereby multiple species develop from a common ancestor to take advantage of diverse ecological conditions such as the California lilac (Ceanothus).^{[citation needed]}Many California endemics have become endangered, as urbanization, logging,overgrazing, and the introduction ofexotic specieshave encroached on their habitat.

California boasts several superlatives in its collection of flora: thelargest trees, thetallest trees, and theoldest trees. California's native grasses areperennial plants,^[145]and there are close to hundred succulent species native to the state.^{[citation needed]}After European contact, these were generally replaced byinvasive speciesof European annual grasses; and, in modern times, California's hills turn a characteristic golden-brown in summer.^[146]

Because California has the greatest diversity of climate and terrain, the state has six life zones which are the lowerSonoran Desert; upper Sonoran (foothill regions and some coastal lands), transition (coastal areas and moist northeastern counties); and the Canadian, Hudsonian, and Arctic Zones, comprising the state's highest elevations.^[147]

Plant life in the dry climate of the lower Sonoran zone contains a diversity of native cactus, mesquite, and paloverde. TheJoshua treeis found in the Mojave Desert. Flowering plants include the dwarf desert poppy and a variety ofasters.Fremont cottonwoodandvalley oakthrive in the Central Valley. The upper Sonoran zone includes the chaparral belt, characterized by forests of small shrubs, stunted trees, and herbaceous plants.Nemophila,mint,Phacelia,Viola, and the California poppy (Eschscholzia californica, the state flower) also flourish in this zone, along with the lupine, more species of which occur here than anywhere else in the world.^[147]

The transition zone includes most of California's forests with the redwood (Sequoia sempervirens) and the "big tree" or giant sequoia (Sequoiadendron giganteum), among the oldest living things on earth (some are said to have lived at least 4,000 years).Tanbark oak,California laurel,sugar pine,madrona,broad-leaved maple, andDouglas-firalso grow here. Forest floors are covered withswordfern, alumnroot,barrenwort, andtrillium, and there are thickets ofhuckleberry,azalea, elder, and wild currant. Characteristic wild flowers include varieties of mariposa,tulip, andtigerandleopardlilies.^[148]

The high elevations of the Canadian zone allow theJeffrey pine,red fir, andlodgepole pineto thrive. Brushy areas are abundant with dwarfmanzanitaand ceanothus; the uniqueSierra puffballis also found here. Right below the timberline, in the Hudsonian zone, the whitebark, foxtail, and silver pines grow. At about 10,500 feet (3,200 m), begins the Arctic zone, a treeless region whose flora include a number of wildflowers, includingSierra primrose,yellow columbine,alpine buttercup, andalpine shooting star.^[147][149]

Palm treesare a well-known feature of California, particularly inSouthern CaliforniaandLos Angeles; many species have been imported, though theWashington filifera(commonly known as theCalifornia fan palm) is native to the state, mainly growing in theColorado Desertoases.^[150]Other common plants that have been introduced to the state include theeucalyptus,acacia,pepper tree, geranium, andScotch broom. The species that are federally classified as endangered are theContra Costa wallflower,Antioch Dunes evening primrose,Solano grass,San Clemente Island larkspur,salt marsh bird's beak,McDonald's rock-cress, andSanta Barbara Island liveforever. As of December 1997^[update], 85 plant species were listed as threatened or endangered.^[147]

In the deserts of the lower Sonoran zone, the mammals include thejackrabbit,kangaroo rat, squirrel, and opossum. Common birds include theowl,roadrunner,cactus wren, and various species of hawk. The area's reptilian life include thesidewinder viper,desert tortoise, andhorned toad. The upper Sonoran zone boasts mammals such as theantelope,brown-footed woodrat, andring-tailed cat. Birds unique to this zone are theCalifornia thrasher,bushtit, andCalifornia condor.^{[147][151][152][153]}

In the transition zone, there are Colombianblack-tailed deer,black bears,gray foxes,cougars,bobcats, andRoosevelt elk. Reptiles such as the garter snakes and rattlesnakes inhabit the zone. In addition, amphibians such as thewater puppyandredwood salamanderare common too. Birds such as thekingfisher, chickadee,towhee, and hummingbird thrive here as well.^[147][154]

The Canadian zone mammals include themountain weasel,snowshoe hare, and several species of chipmunks. Conspicuous birds include theblue-fronted jay,mountain chickadee,hermit thrush,American dipper, andTownsend's solitaire. As one ascends into the Hudsonian zone, birds become scarcer. While thegray-crowned rosy finchis the only bird native to the high Arctic region, other bird species such asAnna's hummingbirdandClark's nutcracker. Principal mammals found in this region include the Sierra coney,white-tailed jackrabbit, and thebighorn sheep. As of April 2003^[update], the bighorn sheep was listed as endangered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The fauna found throughout several zones are themule deer,coyote,mountain lion,northern flicker, and several species of hawk and sparrow.^[147]

Aquatic life in California thrives, from the state's mountain lakes and streams to the rocky Pacific coastline. Numerous trout species are found, among themrainbow,golden, andcutthroat. Migratory species of salmon are common as well. Deep-sea life forms includesea bass,yellowfin tuna,barracuda, and several types of whale. Native to the cliffs of northern California are seals, sea lions, and many types of shorebirds, including migratory species.^[147]

As of April 2003^[update], 118 California animals were on the federal endangered list; 181 plants were listed as endangered or threatened. Endangered animals include theSan Joaquin kitfox,Point Arena mountain beaver,Pacific pocket mouse,salt marsh harvest mouse,Morro Bay kangaroo rat(and five other species of kangaroo rat),Amargosa vole,California least tern,California condor,loggerhead shrike,San Clemente sage sparrow,San Francisco garter snake, five species of salamander, three species of chub, and two species of pupfish. Eleven butterflies are also endangered^[155]and two that are threatened are on the federal list.^[156][157]Among threatened animals are the coastalCalifornia gnatcatcher,Paiute cutthroat trout,southern sea otter, andnorthern spotted owl. California has a total of 290,821 acres (1,176.91 km²) of National Wildlife Refuges.^[147]As of September 2010^[update], 123 California animals were listed as either endangered or threatened on thefederal list.^[158]Also, as of the same year^[update], 178 species of California plants were listed either as endangered or threatened on this federal list.^[158]

The most prominent river system within California is formed by the Sacramento River andSan Joaquin River, which are fed mostly by snowmelt from the west slope of the Sierra Nevada, and respectively drain the north and south halves of the Central Valley. The two rivers join in theSacramento–San Joaquin River Delta, flowing into the Pacific Ocean throughSan Francisco Bay. Many major tributaries feed into the Sacramento–San Joaquin system, including thePit River,Feather RiverandTuolumne River.

TheKlamathandTrinity Riversdrain a large area in far northwestern California. TheEel RiverandSalinas Rivereach drain portions of the California coast, north and south of San Francisco Bay, respectively. TheMojave Riveris the primary watercourse in the Mojave Desert, and theSanta Ana Riverdrains much of theTransverse Rangesas it bisects Southern California. TheColorado Riverforms the state's southeast border with Arizona.

Most of California's major rivers are dammed as part of two massive water projects: theCentral Valley Project, providing water for agriculture in the Central Valley, and theCalifornia State Water Projectdiverting water from Northern to Southern California. The state's coasts, rivers, and other bodies of water are regulated by theCalifornia Coastal Commission.

California is traditionally separated intoNorthern CaliforniaandSouthern California, divided by a straight border which runs across the state, separating the northern 48 counties from the southern 10 counties. Despite the persistence of the northern-southern divide, California is more precisely divided into many regions, multiple of which stretch across the northern-southern divide.

Major divisions

• Northern California
• Southern California

Regions

The state has 483incorporatedcities and towns,^[159]of which 461 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)".^[160]

Sacramentobecame California's first incorporated city on February 27, 1850.^[161]San Jose,San Diego, andBeniciatied for California's second incorporated city, each receiving incorporation on March 27, 1850.^{[162][163][164]}Mountain Housebecame the state's most recent and 483rd incorporated municipality on July 1, 2024.^[159]The majority of these cities and towns are within one of fivemetropolitan areas: theLos Angeles Metropolitan Area, theSan Francisco Bay Area, theRiverside-San Bernardino Area, theSan Diego metropolitan area, or theSacramento metropolitan area.

Largest metropolitan statistical areas in California

CA rank	U.S. rank	Metropolitan statistical area[166]	2020 census[165]	2010 census[165]	Change	Counties[166]
1	2	Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA MSA	13,200,998	12,828,837	+2.90%	Los Angeles,Orange
2	12	San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA MSA	4,749,008	4,335,391	+9.54%	Alameda,Contra Costa,Marin,San Francisco,San Mateo
3	13	Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA MSA	4,599,839	4,224,851	+8.88%	Riverside,San Bernardino
4	17	San Diego-Carlsbad, CA MSA	3,298,634	3,095,313	+6.57%	San Diego
5	26	Sacramento–Roseville–Arden-Arcade, CA MSA	2,397,382	2,149,127	+11.55%	El Dorado,Placer,Sacramento,Yolo
6	35	San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA MSA	2,000,468	1,836,911	+8.90%	San Benito,Santa Clara
7	56	Fresno, CA MSA	1,008,654	930,450	+8.40%	Fresno
8	62	Bakersfield, CA MSA	909,235	839,631	+8.29%	Kern
9	70	Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA MSA	843,843	823,318	+2.49%	Ventura
10	75	Stockton-Lodi, CA MSA	779,233	685,306	+13.71%	San Joaquin

Largest combined statistical areas in California

CA rank	U.S. rank	Combined statistical area[165]	2020 census[165]	2010 census[165]	Change	Counties[166]
1	2	Los Angeles-Long Beach, CA Combined Statistical Area	18,644,680	17,877,006	+4.29%	Los Angeles,Orange,Riverside,San Bernardino,Ventura
2	4	San Jose-San Francisco-Oakland, CA Combined Statistical Area	9,714,023	8,923,942	+8.85%	Alameda,Contra Costa,Marin,Merced,Napa,San Benito,San Francisco,San Joaquin,San Mateo,Santa Clara,Santa Cruz,Solano,Sonoma,Stanislaus
3	23	Sacramento-Roseville, CA Combined Statistical Area	2,680,831	2,414,783	+11.02%	El Dorado,Nevada,Placer,Sacramento,Sutter,Yolo,Yuba
4	45	Fresno-Madera, CA Combined Statistical Area	1,317,395	1,234,297	+6.73%	Fresno,Kings,Madera
5	125	Redding-Red Bluff, CA Combined Statistical Area	247,984	240,686	+3.03%	Shasta,Tehama

Historical population

Census	Pop.	Note	%±
1850	92,597		—
1860	379,994		310.4%
1870	560,247		47.4%
1880	864,694		54.3%
1890	1,213,398		40.3%
1900	1,485,053		22.4%
1910	2,377,549		60.1%
1920	3,426,861		44.1%
1930	5,677,251		65.7%
1940	6,907,387		21.7%
1950	10,586,223		53.3%
1960	15,717,204		48.5%
1970	19,953,134		27.0%
1980	23,667,902		18.6%
1990	29,760,021		25.7%
2000	33,871,648		13.8%
2010	37,253,956		10.0%
2020	39,538,223		6.1%
2023 (est.)	38,940,231		−1.5%
Sources: 1790–1990, 2000, 2010, 2020, 2023[167][168][169][6] Chart does not include indigenous population figures. Studies indicate that the Native American population in California in 1850 was close to 150,000 before declining to 15,000 by 1900.[170]

Presently, close to one out of every nine United States residents lives in California.^[171][172]TheUnited States Census Bureaureported that the population of California was 39.54 million onApril 1, 2020, a 6.13% increase since the2010 census.^[169]During that decade, the state's population grew more slowly than the rest of the nation, resulting in the loss of one seat on the US House of Representatives, the first loss in its entire history.^[171]The estimated state population in 2023 was 38.94 million.^[172]For well over a century (1900–2020), California experienced steady population growth. Even while the rate of growth began to slow by the 1990s, some growth continued into the first two decades of the 21st century; California added an average of around 400,000 people per year to its population during the period 1940–2020.^{[173][174][175]}Then in 2020, the state began to experience population declines continuing every year, attributable mostly to moves out of state but also due to decliningbirth rates,COVID-19 pandemic deaths, and less internal migration from other states to California.^[171][176]According to the U.S. Census Bureau, between 2021 and 2022, 818,000 California residents moved out of state^[177]with emigrants listing high cost of living,^[178]high taxes,^[179][180]and a difficult business environment as the motivation.^[180]The net loss of population in California between July 2020 and July 2023 was 433,000.^[171]

TheGreater Los Angeles Areais the second-largestmetropolitan areain the United States (U.S.), while Los Angeles is thesecond-largest city in the U.S.Conversely, San Francisco is the most densely-populated city in California andone of the most densely populated cities in the U.S.. Also,Los Angeles Countyhas held the title of most populous U.S. county for decades, and it alone is more populous than 42 U.S. states.^[181][182]Including Los Angeles, four of thetop 20 most populous cities in the U.S.are in California: Los Angeles (2nd),San Diego(8th),San Jose(10th), and San Francisco (17th). Thecenter of populationof California is located four miles west-southwest of the city ofShafter,Kern County.^{[note 3]}

As of 2019, California rankedsecond among states by life expectancy, with a life expectancy of 80.9 years.^[184]

Starting in the year 2010, for the first time since theCalifornia Gold Rush, California-born residents made up the majority of the state's population.^[185]Along with the rest of the United States, California's immigration pattern has also shifted over the course of the late 2000s to early 2010s.^[186]Immigration fromLatin Americancountries has dropped significantly with most immigrants now coming fromAsia.^[187]In total for 2011, there were 277,304 immigrants. Fifty-seven percent came from Asian countries versus 22% from Latin American countries.^[187]Net immigrationfrom Mexico, previously the most common country of origin for new immigrants, has dropped to zero / less than zero since more Mexican nationals are departing for their home country than immigrating.^[186]

The state's population ofundocumented immigrantshas been shrinking in recent years, due to increased enforcement and decreased job opportunities for lower-skilled workers.^[188]The number of migrants arrested attempting to cross the Mexican border in the Southwest decreased from a high of 1.1million in 2005 to 367,000 in 2011.^[189]Despite these recent trends,illegalaliensconstituted an estimated 7.3 percent of the state's population, the third highest percentage of any state in thecountry,^{[190][note 4]}totaling nearly 2.6million.^[191]In particular, illegal immigrants tended to be concentrated inLos Angeles,Monterey,San Benito,Imperial, andNapaCounties—the latter four of which have significant agricultural industries that depend on manual labor.^[192]More than half of illegal immigrants originate from Mexico.^[191]The state of California and some California cities, includingLos Angeles,OaklandandSan Francisco,^[193]have adoptedsanctuary policies.^[194]

According toHUD's 2022Annual Homeless Assessment Report, there were an estimated 171,521homelesspeoplein California.^[195][196]

Racial and ethnic composition as of the 2020 census

Race and ethnicity[197]	Alone		Total
Hispanic or Latino[note 5]	—		39.4%	39.4
White (non-Hispanic)	34.7%	34.7	38.3%	38.3
Asian (non-Hispanic)	15.1%	15.1	17.0%	17
African American (non-Hispanic)	5.4%	5.4	6.4%	6.4
Native American (non-Hispanic)	0.4%	0.4	1.3%	1.3
Pacific Islander (non-Hispanic)	0.3%	0.3	0.7%	0.7
Other (non-Hispanic)	0.6%	0.6	1.3%	1.3

California Racial Breakdown of Population

Racial composition	1950[198]	1960[198]	1970[198]	1980[198]	1990[198]	2000[199]	2010[200]	2020[201]
White	93.7%	92%	89%	76.2%	69%	59.6%	57.6%	41.2%
Black	4.4%	5.6%	7%	7.7%	7.4%	6.7%	6.2%	5.6%
Asian	1.7%	2%	2.8%	5.3%	9.6%	10.9%	13%	15.4%
Native	0.2%	0.2%	0.5%	0.9%	0.8%	1%	1%	1.6%
Native Hawaiianand other Pacific Islander	—	—	—	—	—	0.4%	0.4%	0.4%
Other race	—	0.1%	0.7%	10%	13.2%	16.8%	17%	21.2%
Two or more races	—	—	—	—	—	4.8%	4.9%	14.6%
Hispanic or Latino	—	—	13.7%	19.2%	25.8%	32.4%	37.6%	39.4%
Non-Hispanic white	—	—	76.3%	66.6%	57.2%	46.7%	40.2%	34.7%

According to the United States Census Bureau in 2022 the population self-identified as (alone or in combination): 56.5%White(includingHispanicWhites),^[202]33.7%non-Hispanic white,^[203]18.1%Asian,^[204]7.3% Black orAfrican American,^[205]3.2%Native AmericanandAlaska Native,^[206]0.9%Native HawaiianorPacific Islander,^[207]and 34.3%some other race.^[208]These numbers add up to more than 100% because respondents can select multiple racial identities. 19% of Californians identified as two or more races in 2022, although excluding respondents who selected "some other race", only 5% identified as two or more races.^[209]

By ethnicity, in 2018 the population was 60.7% non-Hispanic (of any race) and 39.3%Hispanic or Latino(of any race). Hispanics are the largest single ethnic group in California.^[210]Non-Hispanic whitesconstituted 36.8% of the state's population.^[210]Californiosare theHispanicresidents native to California, who make up theSpanish-speakingcommunity that has existed in California since 1542, of varyingMexican American/Chicano,Criollo Spaniard, and Mestizo origin.^[211]However, they make up only a small part of California's Hispanic population today, estimated at 500,000. California has the largest Mexican,SalvadoranandGuatemalanpopulation, together making up over 90% of the state's Latino population.^[212]

According to 2022 estimates from theAmerican Community Survey, 32.4% of the population hadMexicanancestry, 6.6% hadGermanancestry, 6.1% hadEnglishancestry, 5.6% hadIrishancestry, 4.9% hadChineseancestry, 4.3% hadFilipinoancestry, 4% hadCentral Americanancestry (MostlySalvadoranandGuatemalan), 3.4% hadItalianancestry, 2.8% listed themselves asAmerican, and 2.5% hadIndianancestry.^{[213][214][215]}

As of 2011^[update], 75.1% of California's population younger than age 1 were minorities, meaning they had at least one parent who was not non-Hispanic white (white Hispanics are counted as minorities).^[216]

In terms of total numbers, California has the largest population of White Americans in the United States, an estimated 22,200,000 residents including people identifying as white in combination with any other race. The state has the 5th largest population of African Americans in the United States, an estimated 2,250,000 residents. California's Asian American population is estimated at 7.1million, constituting a third of the nation's total. California's Native American population of 504,000 is the most of any state, with 103,030 identifying as Non-Hispanic and belonging mostly to theIndigenous peoples of California.^[217][218]Most of the state's Native American population identifies as Hispanic and belongs to Indigenous Mexican or Central American ethnic groups, including 185,200 identifying asMexican American Indianand 67,904 identifying asCentral American Indian.^[219]

According to estimates from 2011, California has the largestminority populationin the United States by numbers, making up 60% of the state population.^[220]Over the past 25 years, the population ofnon-Hispanic whiteshas declined, whileHispanicandAsianpopulations have grown. Between 1970 and 2011, non-Hispanic whites declined from 80% of the state's population to 40%, whileHispanicsgrew from 32% in 2000 to 38% in 2011.^[221]It is currently projected that Hispanics will rise to 49% of the population by 2060, primarily due to domestic births rather than immigration.^[222]With the decline of immigration from Latin America, Asian Americans now constitute the fastest growing racial/ethnic group in California; this growth is primarily driven by immigration fromChina,Indiaand thePhilippines, respectively.^[223]

Most of California's immigrant population are born in Mexico (3.9 million), the Philippines (825,200), China (768,400), India (556,500) and Vietnam (502,600).^[224]

California has the largest multiracial population in the United States.^[225]Mexican is the most common ancestry in California, followed by English, German and Irish.^[226]

Languages spoken in California by more than 100,000 persons

Language	Population (as of 2021[update])[227]	%
English	20,763,638	56.08%
Spanish	10,434,308	28.18%
Chinese	1,244,445	3.36%
Tagalog	757,488	2.05%
Vietnamese	544,046	1.47%
Korean	356,901	0.96%
Arabic	231,612	0.63%
Persian	221,650	0.6%
Armenian	211,614	0.57%
Hindi	208,148	0.56%
Russian	178,176	0.48%
Punjabi	156,763	0.42%
Japanese	135,992	0.37%
French	126,371	0.34%

Englishserves as California'sde jureandde factoofficial language. According to the 2021American Community Surveyconducted by theUnited States Census Bureau, 56.08% (20,763,638) of California residents age5 and older spoke onlyEnglishat home, while 43.92% spoke another language at home. 60.35% of people who speak a language other than English at home are able to speak English "well" or "very well", with this figure varying significantly across the different linguistic groups.^[227]Like mostU.S. states(32 out of 50), California law enshrines English as itsofficial language, and has done so since the passage ofProposition 63by California voters in 1986. Various government agencies do, and are often required to, furnish documents in the various languages needed to reach their intended audiences.^{[228][229][230]}

Spanishis the most commonly spoken language in California, behind English, spoken by 28.18% (10,434,308) of the population (in 2021).^[227]The Spanish language has been spoken in California since 1542 and is deeply intertwined with California's cultural landscape and history.^{[231][232][233]}Spanish was the official administrative language of California through the Spanish and Mexican eras, until 1848. Following the U.S.Conquest of Californiaand theTreaty of Guadalupe-Hidalgo, the U.S. Government guaranteed the rights of Spanish-speaking Californians. The firstConstitution of Californiawas written in both languages at theMonterey Constitutional Convention of 1849and protected the rights of Spanish speakers to use their language in government proceedings and mandating that all government documents be published in both English and Spanish.^[234]

Despite the initial recognition of Spanish by early American governments in California, the revised 1879 constitution stripped the rights of Spanish speakers and the official status of Spanish.^[235]The growth of theEnglish-only movementby the mid-20th century led to the passage of1986 California Proposition 63, which enshrined English as the only official language in California and ended Spanish language instruction in schools.^[236]2016 California Proposition 58reversed the prohibition onbilingual education, though there are still many barriers to the proliferation of Spanish bilingual education, including a shortage of teachers and lack of funding.^{[237][236][238]}Thegovernment of Californiahas since made efforts to promote Spanish language access and bilingual education,^[239][240]as have private educational institutions in California.^[241]Many businesses in California promote the usage of Spanish by their employees, to better serve both California's Hispanic population and the largerSpanish-speaking world.^[242][243]

California has historically been one of the most linguistically diverse areas in the world, with more than 70 indigenous languages derived from 64 root languages in six language families.^[244][245]A survey conducted between 2007 and 2009 identified 23 different indigenous languages among California farmworkers.^[246]All of California's indigenous languages areendangered, although there are now efforts towardlanguage revitalization.^{[note 6]}California has the highest concentration nationwide ofChinese,VietnameseandPunjabispeakers.

As a result of the state's increasing diversity and migration from other areas across the country and around the globe, linguists began noticing a noteworthy set of emerging characteristics of spokenAmerican Englishin California since the late 20th century. This variety, known asCalifornia English, has avowel shiftand several other phonological processes that are different from varieties of American English used in other regions of the United States.^[247]

The largestreligious denominationsby number of adherents as a percentage of California's population in 2014 were the Catholic Church with 28 percent, Evangelical Protestants with 20 percent, and Mainline Protestants with 10 percent. Together, all kinds of Protestants accounted for 32 percent. Those unaffiliated with any religion represented 27 percent of the population. The breakdown of other religions is 1% Muslim, 2% Hindu and 2% Buddhist.^[249]This is a change from 2008, when the population identified their religion with the Catholic Church with 31 percent; Evangelical Protestants with 18 percent; and Mainline Protestants with 14 percent. In 2008, those unaffiliated with any religion represented 21 percent of the population. The breakdown of other religions in 2008 was 0.5% Muslim, 1% Hindu and 2% Buddhist.^[250]TheAmerican Jewish Year Bookplaced the totalJewishpopulation of California at about 1,194,190 in 2006.^[251]According to theAssociation of Religion Data Archives(ARDA) the largest denominations by adherents in 2010 were theCatholic Churchwith 10,233,334;The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saintswith 763,818; and theSouthern Baptist Conventionwith 489,953.^[252]

California has a large Catholic population due to the large numbers of Mexicans and Central Americans living within its borders. California has twelve dioceses and two archdioceses, theArchdiocese of Los Angelesand theArchdiocese of San Francisco, the former being the largest archdiocese in the United States.

APew Research Centersurvey revealed that California is somewhat less religious than the rest of the states: 62 percent of Californians say they are "absolutely certain" of their belief in God, while in the nation 71 percent say so. The survey also revealed 48 percent of Californians say religion is "very important", compared to 56 percent nationally.^[254]

The culture of California is aWestern cultureand has its modern roots in theculture of the United States, but also, historically, manyHispanicCalifornioandMexicaninfluences. As a border and coastal state, California culture has been greatly influenced by several large immigrant populations, especially those from Latin America and Asia.^[255]

California has long been a subject of interest in the public mind and has often been promoted by its boosters as a kind of paradise. In the early 20th century, fueled by the efforts of state, the building projects during theGreat Depressionand local boosters, many Americans saw the Golden State as an ideal resort destination, sunny and dry all year round with easy access to the ocean and mountains. In the 1960s, popular music groups such asthe Beach Boyspromoted the image of Californians as laid-back, tanned beach-goers.

Hollywoodand the rest of the Los Angeles area is a major global center for entertainment, with theU.S. film industry's"Big Five" major film studios(Columbia,Disney,Paramount,Universal, andWarner Bros.) as well as many minor film studios being based in or around the area. Manyanimationstudios are also headquartered in the state.

The four major American television commercial broadcast networks (ABC,CBS,NBC, andFox) as well as other networks all have production facilities and offices in the state. All the four major commercial broadcast networks, plus the two major Spanish-language networks (TelemundoandUnivision) each have at least threeowned-and-operated TV stationsin California, including at least one in Los Angeles and at least one in San Francisco.^{[note 7]}

One of the oldest radio stations in the United States still in existence,KCBS (AM)in theSan Francisco Bay Area, was founded in 1909.Universal Music Group, one of the "Big Four" record labels, is based inSanta Monica, whileWarner Recordsis based inLos Angeles. Many independent record labels, such asMind of a Genius Records, are also headquartered in the state. California is also the birthplace of several international music genres, including theBakersfield sound,Bay Area thrash metal,alternative rock,g-funk,nu metal,glam metal,thrash metal,psychedelic rock,stoner rock,punk rock,hardcore punk,metalcore,pop punk,surf music,third wave ska,west coast hip hop,west coast jazz,jazz rap, and many other genres. Other genres such aspop rock,indie rock,hard rock,hip hop,pop,rock,rockabilly,country,heavy metal,grunge,new waveanddiscowere popularized in the state. In addition, many British bands, such asLed Zeppelin,Deep Purple,Black Sabbath, andthe Rolling Stonessettled in the state after becoming internationally famous.

As the home ofSilicon Valley, the Bay Area is the headquarters of several prominentinternet media,social media, and other technology companies. Three of the"Big Five" technology companies(Apple,Meta, andGoogle) are based in the area as well as other services such asNetflix,Pandora Radio,Twitter,Yahoo!, andYouTube. Other prominent companies that are headquartered here includeHP inc.andIntel.MicrosoftandAmazonalso have offices in the area.

California, particularlySouthern California,^[256]is considered the birthplace of moderncar culture.^[257]

Severalfast food,fast casual, andcasual diningchains were also founded California, including some that have since expanded internationally likeCalifornia Pizza Kitchen,Denny's,IHOP,McDonald's,Panda Express, andTaco Bell.

California has nineteenmajor professional sports leaguefranchises, far more than any other state. TheSan Francisco Bay Areahas six major league teams spread in its three major cities: San Francisco, San Jose, and Oakland, while theGreater Los Angeles Areais home to ten major league franchises. San Diego and Sacramento each have one major league team. The NFLSuper Bowlhas been hosted in California 12 times at five different stadiums:Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, the Rose Bowl, Stanford Stadium,Levi's Stadium, and San Diego'sQualcomm Stadium. A thirteenth,Super Bowl LVI, was held atSoFi StadiuminInglewoodon February 13, 2022.^[258]

California has long had many respected collegiate sports programs. California is home to the oldest college bowl game, the annualRose Bowl, among others.

TheNFLhas three teams in the state: theLos Angeles Rams,Los Angeles Chargers, andSan Francisco 49ers.

MLBhas five teams in the state: theSan Francisco Giants,Oakland Athletics,Los Angeles Dodgers,Los Angeles Angels, andSan Diego Padres.^[259]

TheNBAhas four teams in the state: theGolden State Warriors,Los Angeles Clippers,Los Angeles Lakers, andSacramento Kings. Additionally, theWNBAalso has one team in the state: theLos Angeles Sparks.

TheNHLhas three teams in the state: theAnaheim Ducks,Los Angeles Kings, andSan Jose Sharks.

MLShas three teams in the state: theLos Angeles Galaxy,San Jose Earthquakes, andLos Angeles Football Club.

MLRhas one team in the state: theSan Diego Legion.

California is the only U.S. state to have hosted both theSummerandWinterOlympics. The1932and1984summer games were held inLos Angeles. Squaw Valley Ski Resort (nowPalisades Tahoe) in the Lake Tahoe region hosted the1960 Winter Olympics. Los Angeles will host the2028 Summer Olympics, marking the fourth time that California will have hosted the Olympic Games.^[260]Multiple games during the1994 FIFA World Cuptook place in California, with theRose Bowlhosting eight matches (including thefinal), whileStanford Stadiumhosted six matches.

In addition to the Olympic games, California also hosts theCalifornia State Games.

Many sports, such assurfing,snowboarding, andskateboarding, were invented in California, while others likevolleyball,beach soccer, andskiingwere popularized in the state.

Other sports that are big in the state includegolf,rodeo,tennis,mountain climbing,marathon running,horse racing,bowling,mixed martial arts,boxing, andmotorsports, especiallyNASCARandFormula One.

Team	Sport	League
Los Angeles Rams	American football	National Football League(NFL)
Los Angeles Chargers	American football	National Football League
San Francisco 49ers	American football	National Football League
Los Angeles Dodgers	Baseball	Major League Baseball(MLB)
Los Angeles Angels	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(NBA)
Los Angeles Clippers	Basketball	National Basketball Association
Los Angeles Lakers	Basketball	National Basketball Association
Sacramento Kings	Basketball	National Basketball Association
Los Angeles Sparks	Basketball	Women's National Basketball Association(WNBA)
Anaheim Ducks	Ice hockey	National Hockey League(NHL)
Los Angeles Kings	Ice hockey	National Hockey League
San Jose Sharks	Ice hockey	National Hockey League
Los Angeles Galaxy	Soccer	Major League Soccer(MLS)
San Jose Earthquakes	Soccer	Major League Soccer
Los Angeles Football Club	Soccer	Major League Soccer
Angel City FC	Soccer	National Women's Soccer League(NWSL)
San Diego Wave FC	Soccer	National Women's Soccer League
San Diego Legion	Rugby union	Major League Rugby

California has the most school students in the country, with over 6.2 million in the 2005–06 school year, giving California more students in school than 36 states have in total population and one of the highest projected enrollments in the country.^[261]Publicsecondary educationconsists ofhigh schoolsthat 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 aunique constitutional amendmentthat requires a minimum annual funding level for grades K–12 andcommunity collegesthat grows with the economy and student enrollment figures.^[262]

In 2016, California's K–12 public school per-pupil spending was ranked 22nd in the nation ($11,500 per student vs. $11,800 for the U.S. average).^[263]

For 2012, California's K–12 public schools ranked 48th in the number of employees per student, at 0.102 (the U.S. average was 0.137), while paying the 7th most per employee, $49,000 (the U.S. average was $39,000).^{[264][265][266]}

California publicpostsecondary educationis organized into three separate systems:

• The state'spublicresearch universitysystemis theUniversity of California(UC). As of fall 2011, the University of California had a combinedstudentbody of 234,464 students.^[268]There are ten UC campuses; nine are general campuses offering both undergraduate and graduate programs which culminate in the award of bachelor's degrees, master's degrees, and doctorates; there is one specialized campus,UC San Francisco, which is entirely dedicated to graduate education inhealth care, and is home to theUCSF Medical Center, the highest-rankedhospital in California.^[269]The system was originally intended to accept the top one-eighth of California high school students, but several of the campuses have become even more selective.^{[270][271][272]}The UC system historically held exclusive authority to award the doctorate, but this has since changed and CSU now has limited statutory authorization to award a handful of types of doctoral degrees independently of UC.
• TheCalifornia State University(CSU) system has almost 430,000 students. The CSU (which takes the definite article in its abbreviated form, while UC does not) was originally intended to accept the top one-third of California high school students, but several of the campuses have become much more selective.^[272][273]The CSU was originally authorized to award only bachelor's and master's degrees, and could award the doctorate only as part of joint programs with UC or private universities. Since then, CSU has been granted the authority to independently award several doctoral degrees (in specific academic fields that do not intrude upon UC's traditional jurisdiction).
• TheCalifornia Community Collegessystem provides lower-division coursework culminating in the associate degree, as well as basic skills and workforce training culminating in various kinds of certificates. (Fifteen California community colleges now award four-year bachelor's degrees in disciplines which are in high demand in their geographical area.^[274]) It is the largest network of higher education in the U.S., composed of 112 colleges serving a student population of over 2.6million.

California is also home to notable private universities such asStanford University, theCalifornia Institute of Technology(Caltech), theUniversity of Southern California, theClaremont Colleges,Santa Clara University,Loyola Marymount University, theUniversity of San Diego, theUniversity of San Francisco,Chapman University,Pepperdine University,Occidental College, andUniversity of the Pacific, among numerous other private colleges and universities, including many religious and special-purpose institutions. California has a particularly high density of arts colleges, including theCalifornia College of the Arts,California Institute of the Arts,San Francisco Art Institute,Art Center College of Design, andAcademy of Art University, among others.

California's economy ranks among the largest in the world. As of 2024^[update], thegross state product(GSP) is $4.0trillion($102,500 per capita), the largest in theUnited States.^[15]California is responsible for one seventh of the nation's gross domestic product (GDP).^[275]As of 2018^[update], California's nominal GDP is larger than all but four countries.^[276]In terms ofpurchasing power parity(PPP),^[277]it is larger than all but eight countries.^[278]California's economy is larger thanAfricaandAustraliaand is almost as large asSouth America.^[279]The state recorded total, non-farm employment of 16,677,800^[280]as of September 2021^[update]among 966,224 employer establishments.^[281]

As the largest and second-largest U.S. ports respectively, thePort of Los Angelesand thePort of Long Beachin Southern California collectively play a pivotal role in the global supply chain, together hauling in about 40% of all imports to the United States byTEUvolume.^[20]ThePort of OaklandandPort of Huenemeare the 10th and 26th largest seaports in the U.S., respectively, by number of TEUs handled.^[282]

The five largest sectors of employment in California are trade, transportation, and utilities; government; professional and business services; education and health services; and leisure and hospitality. In output, the five largest sectors are financial services, followed by trade, transportation, and utilities; education and health services; government; and manufacturing.^[283]California has anunemploymentrate of 3.9% as of September 2022^[update].^[280]

California's economy is dependent on trade and international related commerce accounts for about one-quarter of the state's economy, and representing 7% of their GDP; California's biggest trade partner is Mexico. In 2008, California exported $144billion worth of goods, up from $134billion in 2007 and $127billion in 2006.^[284]Vehicles, computers and electronic products are California's top export, accounting for 42 percent of all the state's exports in 2008; over 50 car companies operate in California, such asTeslaandMazda.^[284]

Agriculture is an important sector in California's economy. According to theUSDAin 2011, the three largest California agricultural products by value weremilk and cream, shelledalmonds, andgrapes.^[19]Farming-related sales more than quadrupled over the past three decades, from $7.3billion in 1974 to nearly $31billion in 2004.^[285]This increase has occurred despite a 15 percent decline in acreage devoted to farming during the period, and water supply suffering from chronic instability. Factors contributing to the growth in sales-per-acre include more intensive use of active farmlands and technological improvements in crop production.^[285]In 2008, California's 81,500 farms and ranches generated $36.2billion products revenue.^[286]In 2011, that number grew to $43.5billion products revenue.^[287]The agriculture sector accounts for two percent of the state's GDP and employs around three percent of its total workforce.^[288]

Per capita GDPin 2021 was $85,546, ranking fourth in the nation.Per capita incomevaries widely by geographic region and profession.^[291]The Central Valley is the most impoverished, withmigrant farm workersmaking less thanminimum wage. According to a 2005 report by theCongressional Research Service, theSan Joaquin Valleywas characterized as one of the most economically depressed regions in the United States, on par with the region ofAppalachia.^[292]

Using the supplemental poverty measure, California has apoverty rateof 23.5%, the highest of any state in the country.^[293]However, using the official measure the poverty rate was only 13.3% as of 2017.^[294]Many coastal cities include some of the wealthiest per-capita areas in the United States. The high-technology sectors in Northern California, specificallySilicon Valley, inSanta ClaraandSan Mateo counties, have emerged from the economic downturn caused by thedot-com bust.

In 2019, there were 1,042,027 millionaire households in the state, more than any other state in the nation.^[295]In 2010, California residents were ranked first among the states with the best average credit score of 754.^[296]

• 
  If California was an independent country, its gross domestic product (nominal) would rank fifth in the world(2022). ^[297]
• 
  California counties by GDP (2021) ^[298]

State spending increased from $56billion in 1998 to $127billion in 2011.^[299][300]California has the third highest per capita spending on welfare among the states, as well as the highest spending on welfare at $6.67billion.^[301]In January 2011, California's total debt was at least $265billion.^[302]On June 27, 2013, Governor Jerry Brown signed a balanced budget (no deficit) for the state, its first in decades; however, the state's debt remains at $132billion.^[303][304]

With the passage ofProposition 30 in 2012andProposition 55 in 2016, California now levies a 13.3% maximum marginalincome taxrate with tentax brackets, ranging from 1% at the bottom tax bracket of $0 annual individual income to 13.3% for annual individual income over $1,000,000 (though the top brackets are only temporary until Proposition 55 expires at the end of 2030). While Proposition 30 also enacted a minimumstate sales taxof 7.5%, this sales tax increase was not extended by Proposition 55 and reverted to a previous minimum state sales tax rate of 7.25% in 2017. Local governments can and do levy additional sales taxes in addition to this minimum rate.^[305]

Allreal propertyis taxable annually. Property tax increases are capped at 2% annually or the rate of inflation (whichever is lower), perProposition 13.

Because it is the most populous state in the United States, California is one of the country's largest users of energy. The state has extensive hydro-electric energy generation facilities, however, moving water is the single largest energy use in the state. Also, due to high energy rates, conservation mandates, mild weather in the largest population centers and strongenvironmental movement, itsper capitaenergy use is one of the smallest of any state in the United States.^[306]Due to the high electricity demand, California imports more electricity than any other state, primarily hydroelectric power from states in the Pacific Northwest (viaPath 15andPath 66) and coal- and natural gas-fired production from the desert Southwest viaPath 46.^[307]

Thestate's crude oil and natural gas depositsare located in the Central Valley andalong the coast, including the largeMidway-Sunset Oil Field. Natural gas-firedpower plantstypically account for more than one-half of state electricity generation.

As a result of the state's strong environmental movement, California has some of the most aggressiverenewable energygoals in the United States. The Clean Energy, Jobs and Affordability Act of 2022 commits the state to running its operations on clean, renewable energy resources by 2035, and SB 1203 also requires the state to achieve net-zero operations for all agencies. Currently, severalsolar power plantssuch as theSolar Energy Generating Systemsfacility are located in theMojave Desert.California's wind farmsincludeAltamont Pass,San Gorgonio Pass, andTehachapi Pass. The Tehachapi area is also where theTehachapi Energy Storage Projectis located.^[308]Several dams across the state providehydro-electric power. It would be possible to convert the total supply to 100% renewable energy, including heating, cooling and mobility, by 2050.^[309]

California has one majornuclear powerplant (Diablo Canyon) in operation. TheSan Onofre nuclear plantwas shut down in 2013. More than 1,700tons ofradioactive wasteare stored at San Onofre,^[310]and sit on the coast where there is a record of pasttsunamis.^[311]Votersbanned the approval of new nuclear power plantssince the late 1970s because of concerns overradioactive waste disposal.^{[312][note 8]}Several cities such as Oakland,BerkeleyandDavishave declared themselves asnuclear-free zones.

California's vast terrain is connected byan extensive systemofcontrolled-access highways('freeways'),limited-access roads('expressways'), andhighways. California is known for itscar culture, giving California's cities a reputation for severetraffic congestion. Construction and maintenance of state roads and statewide transportation planning are primarily the responsibility of theCalifornia Department of Transportation, nicknamed "Caltrans". The rapidly growing population of the state is straining all of its transportation networks, and California has some of the worst roads in the United States.^[314][315]TheReason Foundation's 19th Annual Report on the Performance of State Highway Systems ranked California's highways the third-worst of any state, with Alaska second, and Rhode Island first.^[316]

The state has been a pioneer in road construction. One of the state's more visible landmarks, theGolden Gate Bridge, was thelongest suspension bridge main spanin the world at 4,200 feet (1,300 m) between 1937 (when it opened) and 1964. With its orange paint and panoramic views of the bay, this highway bridge is a popular tourist attraction and also accommodates pedestrians and bicyclists. TheSan Francisco–Oakland Bay Bridge(often abbreviated the "Bay Bridge"), completed in 1936, transports about 280,000 vehicles per day on two-decks. Its two sections meet atYerba Buena Islandthrough the world's largest diameter transportation bore tunnel, at 76 feet (23 m) wide by 58 feet (18 m) high.^[317]TheArroyo Seco Parkway, connecting Los Angeles andPasadena, opened in 1940 as the first freeway in the Western United States.^[318]It was later extended south to theFour Level Interchangein downtown Los Angeles, regarded as the firststack interchangeever built.^[319]

TheCalifornia Highway Patrolis the largest statewide police agency in the United States in employment with more than 10,000 employees. They are responsible for providing any police-sanctioned service to anyone on California's state-maintained highways and on state property.

By the end of 2021, 30,610,058 people in California held aCalifornia Department of Motor Vehicles-issueddriver's licensesorstate identification card, and there were 36,229,205registered vehicles, including 25,643,076 automobiles, 853,368 motorcycles, 8,981,787 trucks and trailers, and 121,716 miscellaneous vehicles (including historical vehicles and farm equipment).^[320]

Los Angeles International Airport(LAX),the 4th busiest airport in the world in 2018, andSan Francisco International Airport(SFO),the 25th busiest airport in the world in 2018, are major hubs for trans-Pacific and transcontinental traffic. There are about a dozen important commercial airports and many moregeneral aviationairportsthroughout the state.

Inter-city railtravel is provided byAmtrak California; the three routes, theCapitol Corridor,Pacific Surfliner, andSan Joaquin, are funded by Caltrans. These services are the busiest intercity rail lines in the United States outside theNortheast Corridorand ridership is continuing to set records. The routes are becoming increasingly popular over flying, especially on the LAX-SFO route.^[321]Integratedsubwayandlight railnetworks are found in Los Angeles (Los Angeles Metro Rail) and San Francisco (Muni Metro). Light rail systems are also found in San Jose (VTA light rail), San Diego (San Diego Trolley), Sacramento (Sacramento RT Light Rail), and Northern San Diego County (Sprinter). Furthermore,commuter railnetworks serve the San Francisco Bay Area (Altamont Corridor Express,Bay Area Rapid Transit,Caltrain,Sonoma–Marin Area Rail Transit), Greater Los Angeles (Metrolink), and San Diego County (Coaster).

TheCalifornia High-Speed Rail Authoritywas authorized in 1996 by the state legislature to plan aCalifornia High-Speed Railsystem to put before the voters. The plan they devised,2008 California Proposition 1A, connecting all the major population centers in the state, was approved by the voters at the November 2008 general election.^[322]The first phase of construction was begun in 2015, and the first segment 171 miles (275 km) long, is planned to be put into operation by the end of 2030. Planning and work on the rest of the system is continuing, with funding for completing it is an ongoing issue.^[323]California's 2023 integrated passenger rail master plan includes a high speed rail system.^[324]

Nearly all counties operatebuslines, and many cities operate their own city bus lines as well. Intercity bus travel is provided byGreyhound,Megabus, andAmtrak Thruway.

California's interconnected water system is the world's largest, managing over 40,000,000acre-feet(49 km³) of water per year, centered on six main systems of aqueducts and infrastructure projects.^[325]Water use and conservation in California is a politically divisive issue, as the state experiences periodic droughts and has to balance the demands of its large agricultural and urban sectors, especially in the arid southern portion of the state. The state's widespread redistribution of water also invites the frequent scorn of environmentalists.

TheCalifornia Water Wars, a conflict between Los Angeles and the Owens Valley over water rights, is one of the most well-known examples of the struggle to secure adequate water supplies.^[326]Former California GovernorArnold Schwarzeneggersaid:

We've been in crisis for quite some time because we're now 38million people and not anymore 18million people like we were in the late 60s. So it developed into a battle between environmentalists and farmers and between the south and the north and between rural and urban. And everyone has been fighting for the last four decades about water.^[327]

The capital city of California isSacramento.^[328]The state is organized into threebranches of government—theexecutive branchconsisting of thegovernor^[329]and the other independently elected constitutional officers; thelegislative branchconsisting of theAssemblyandSenate;^[330]and thejudicial branchconsisting of theSupreme Court of Californiaand lower courts.^[331]The state also allowsballot propositions: direct participation of the electorate byinitiative,referendum,recall, andratification.^[332]Before the passage ofProposition 14 in 2010, California allowed each political party to choose whether to have aclosed primaryor a primary where only party members andindependentsvote. After June 8, 2010, when Proposition 14 was approved, excepting only the United States president and county central committee offices,^[333]all candidates in the primary elections are listed on the ballot with their preferred party affiliation, but they are not the official nominee of that party.^[334]At the primary election, the two candidates with the top votes will advance to the general election regardless of party affiliation.^[334]If at a special primary election, one candidate receives more than 50% of all the votes cast, they are elected to fill the vacancy and no special general election will be held.^[334]

TheCalifornia executive branchconsists of the governor and seven other elected constitutional officers:lieutenant governor,attorney general,secretary of state,state controller,state treasurer,insurance commissioner, andstate superintendent of public instruction. They serve four-year terms and may be re-elected only once.^[335]

The manyCalifornia state agenciesthat are under the governor's cabinet are grouped together to form cabinet-level entities that are referred to by government officials as "superagencies". Those departments that are directly under the other independently elected officers work separately from these superagencies.^[336][337]

TheCalifornia State Legislatureconsists of a 40-member Senate and 80-member Assembly.^[338]Senators serve four-year terms and Assembly members two. Members of the Assembly are subject toterm limitsof six terms, and members of the Senate are subject to term limits of three terms.

California's legal system is explicitly based upon Englishcommon law^[339]but carries many features from Spanishcivil law, such ascommunity property. California's prison population grew from 25,000 in 1980 to over 170,000 in 2007.^[340]Capital punishmentis a legal form of punishment and the state has the largest "Death Row" population in the country (though Oklahoma and Texas are far more active in carrying out executions).^[341][342]California has performed13 executionssince 1976, with the last being in 2006.^[343]

California's judiciary systemis the largest in the United States with a total of 1,600 judges (the federal system has only about 840). At the apex is the seven-member Supreme Court of California, while theCalifornia Courts of Appealserve as the primaryappellate courtsand theCalifornia Superior Courtsserve as the primarytrial courts.Justices of the Supreme Courtand Courts of Appeal are appointed by the governor, but are subject to retention by the electorate every 12 years.

The administration of the state's court system is controlled by theJudicial Council, composed of the chief justice of the California Supreme Court, 14 judicial officers, four representatives from theState Bar of California, and one member from each house of the state legislature.

In fiscal year 2020–2021, the state judiciary's 2,000 judicial officers and 18,000 judicial branch employees processed approximately 4.4 million cases.^[344]

California has an extensive system of local government that manages public functions throughout the state. Like most states, California is divided intocounties, of which there are 58 (includingSan Francisco) covering the entire state. Most urbanized areas are incorporated ascities.School districts, which are independent of cities and counties, handle public education. Many other functions, such as fire protection and water supply, especially inunincorporated areas, are handled byspecial districts.

California is divided into58 counties. Per Article 11, Section 1, of theConstitution of California, they are the legal subdivisions of the state. The county government provides countywide services such aslaw enforcement,jails, elections and voter registration, vital records, property assessment and records, tax collection, public health, health care, social services, libraries, flood control, fire protection, animal control, agricultural regulations, building inspections, ambulance services, and education departments in charge of maintaining statewide standards.^[345][346]In addition, the county serves as the local government for allunincorporated areas. Each county is governed by an electedboard of supervisors.^[347]

Incorporated cities and towns in California are eithercharteror general-law municipalities.^[160]General-law municipalities owe their existence to state law and are consequently governed by it; charter municipalities are governed by their own city or town charters. Municipalities incorporated in the 19th century tend to be charter municipalities. All ten of the state's most populous cities are charter cities. Most small cities have acouncil–managerform of government, where the elected city council appoints a city manager to supervise the operations of the city. Some larger cities have a directly elected mayor who oversees the city government. In many council-manager cities, the city council selects one of its members as a mayor, sometimes rotating through the council membership—but this type of mayoral position is primarily ceremonial. TheGovernment of San Franciscois the onlyconsolidated city-countyin California, where both the city and county governments have been merged into one unified jurisdiction.

About 1,102school districts, independent of cities and counties, handle California'spublic education.^[348]California school districts may be organized as elementary districts, high school districts, unified school districts combining elementary and high school grades, or community college districts.^[348]

There are about 3,400special districtsin California.^[349]Aspecial district, defined by California Government Code § 16271(d) as "any agency of the state for the local performance of governmental or proprietary functions within limited boundaries", provides a limited range of services within a defined geographic area. The geographic area of a special district can spread across multiple cities or counties, or could consist of only a portion of one. Most of California's special districts aresingle-purpose districts, and provide one service.

The state of California sends52members to theHouse of Representatives,^[350]the nation's largest congressional state delegation. Consequently, California also has the largest number ofelectoral votesin national presidential elections, with 54. The formerspeaker of the House of Representativesis the representative of California's 20th district,Kevin McCarthy.^[351]

California is represented in theUnited States SenatebyAlex PadillaandLaphonza Butler.

In California, as of 2009^[update], theU.S. Department of Defensehad a total of 117,806active dutyservicemembers of which 88,370 wereSailorsorMarines, 18,339 wereAirmen, and 11,097 wereSoldiers, with 61,365 Department of Defense civilian employees. Additionally, there were a total of 57,792Reservists and Guardsmanin California.^[352]

In 2010,Los Angeles Countywas the largest origin of military recruits in the United States by county, with 1,437 individuals enlisting in the military.^[353]However, as of 2002^[update], Californians were relatively under-represented in the military as a proportion to its population.^[354]

In 2000, California, had 2,569,340 veterans of United Statesmilitary service.^[355]As of 2010^[update], there were 1,942,775 veterans living in California, of which 1,457,875 served during a period of armed conflict, and just over four thousand servedbefore World WarII(the largest population of this group of any state).^[356]

California's military forces consist of theArmy and Air National Guard, thenaval and state military reserve(militia), and theCalifornia Cadet Corps.

California registered voters as of July 5, 2024 ^{[update] [357]}

Party		Number of voters	Percentage	Party registration by county (October 2022): Democrat ≥ 30% Democrat ≥ 40% Democrat ≥ 50% Republican ≥ 30% Republican ≥ 40% Republican ≥ 50%
	Democratic	10,241,375	46.19%
	Republican	5,483,146	24.73%
	No Party Preference	4,850,505	21.88%
	American Independent	848,094	3.83%
	Libertarian	237,861	1.07%
	Peace and Freedom	142,076	0.64%
	Green	104,264	0.47%
Other		264,578	1.19%
Total		22,171,899	100%

California has an idiosyncratic political culture compared to the rest of the country, and is sometimes regarded as a trendsetter.^[358]In socio-cultural mores and national politics, Californians are perceived as moreliberalthan other Americans, especially those who live in the inland states. In the2016 United States presidential election, California had the third highest percentage of Democratic votes behindthe District of ColumbiaandHawaii.^[359]In the2020 United States presidential election, it had the 6th highest behind the District of Columbia,Vermont,Massachusetts,Maryland, and Hawaii. According to the Cook Political Report, California contains five of the 15 most Democratic congressional districts in the United States.

California was the second stateto recall their state governor, the second state to legalize abortion, and the only state to ban marriage for gay couples twice by vote (includingProposition8in 2008). Voters also passedProposition 71 in 2004to fundstem cellresearch, making California thesecond state to legalize stem cell research, andProposition 14 in 2010to completely change the state'sprimary electionprocess. California has also experienceddisputes over water rights; and atax revolt, culminating with the passage ofProposition 13 in 1978, limiting stateproperty taxes. California voters have rejectedaffirmative actionon multiple occasions, most recently in November 2020.

The state's trend towards theDemocratic Partyand away from theRepublican Partycan be seen in state elections. From 1899 to 1939, California had exclusively Republican governors. Since 1990, California has generally elected Democratic candidates to federal, state and local offices, including current GovernorGavin Newsom; however, the state has elected Republican Governors, though many of its Republican Governors, such as Arnold Schwarzenegger, tend to be considered moderate Republicans and morecentristthan the national party.

Several political movements have advocated forCalifornia independence. TheCalifornia National Partyand theCalifornia Freedom Coalitionboth advocate for California independence along the lines ofprogressivismandcivic nationalism.^[360]TheYes Californiamovement attempted to organize an independence referendum viaballot initiativefor 2019, which was then postponed.^[361]

The Democrats also hold a supermajority in both houses of the state legislature. There are 62 Democrats and 18 Republicans in the Assembly; and 32 Democrats and eight Republicans in the Senate.

From1952through1988, California was a Republican-leaning state, as the party carried the state's electoral votes in nine of ten elections, with1964as the sole exception. Southern California RepublicansRichard NixonandRonald Reaganwere both elected twice as the 37th and 40th U.S. Presidents, respectively. However, Democrats have won all of California's electoral votes for the last eight elections, starting in1992.

In the United States House, the Democrats held a 34–19 edge in the California delegation of the110th United States Congressin 2007. As the result ofgerrymandering, the districts in California were usually dominated by one or the other party, and few districts were considered competitive. In 2008, Californians passed Proposition 20 to empower a 14-member independent citizen commission to redraw districts for both local politicians and Congress. After the 2012 elections, when the new system took effect, Democrats gained four seats and held a 38–15 majority in the delegation. Following the2018 midterm House elections, Democrats won 46 out of 53 congressional house seats in California, leaving Republicans with seven.

In general, Democratic strength is centered in the populouscoastal regionsof theLos Angeles metropolitan areaand theSan Francisco Bay Area. Republican strength is still greatest in eastern parts of the state.Orange Countyhad remained largely Republican until the 2016 and 2018 elections, in which a majority of the county's votes were cast for Democratic candidates.^[362][363]One study rankedBerkeley,Oakland,InglewoodandSan Franciscoin the top 20 most liberal American cities; andBakersfield,Orange,Escondido,Garden Grove, andSimi Valleyin the top 20 most conservative cities.^[364]

In October 2022, out of the 26,876,800 people eligible to vote, 21,940,274 people were registered to vote.^[365]Of the people registered, the three largest registered groups were Democrats (10,283,258), Republicans (5,232,094), andNo Party Preference(4,943,696).^[365]

California retains thedeath penalty, though it has not been used since 2006.^[366]

California hasregion twinning arrangementswith:

• Catalonia, autonomous community ofSpain^[367]
• Alberta, province ofCanada^[368][369]
• Jeju ProvinceofSouth Korea^[370]
• Guangdong, province ofChina^[371]

• Index of California-related articles
• Outline of California
• List of people from California

• Cohen, Saul Bernard (2003).Geopolitics of the World System. Rowman & Littlefield.ISBN978-0-8476-9907-0.
• Rolle, Andrew (1998) [1963].California: A History(5th ed.). Wheeling, IL: Harlan Davidson.ISBN0-88295-938-7.
• Starr, Kevin(2007).California: A History. Modern Library Chronicles. Vol. 23. Random House Digital, Inc.ISBN978-0-8129-7753-0.

• Chartkoff, Joseph L.; Chartkoff, Kerry Kona (1984).The archaeology of California. Stanford:Stanford University Press.ISBN978-0-8047-1157-9.OCLC11351549.
• Fagan, Brian (2003).Before California: An archaeologist looks at our earliest inhabitants. Lanham, MD:Rowman & Littlefield Publishers.ISBN978-0-7425-2794-2.OCLC226025645.
• Hart, James D. (1978).A Companion to California. New York, NY:Oxford University Press.ISBN978-0-19-502400-5.
• Matthews, Glenna.The Golden State in the Civil War: Thomas Starr King, the Republican Party, and the Birth of Modern California. New York: Cambridge University Press, 2012.
• Moratto, Michael J.; Fredrickson, David A. (1984).California archaeology. Orlando:Academic Press.ISBN978-0-12-506182-7.OCLC228668979.
• Newmark, Harris (1916).Sixty Years in Southern California 1853-1913. New York: The Knickerbacker Press.

• State of California
• California State Guide, from the Library of Congress
• Geographic data related toCaliforniaatOpenStreetMap
• data.ca.gov: open data portal from California state agencies
• California State Facts from USDA
• California Drought: Farm and Food Impacts from USDA, Economic Research Service
• CaliforniaatCurlie
• 1973 documentary featuring aerial views of the California coastline from Mt. Shasta to Los Angeles
• Early City Views (Los Angeles)ArchivedOctober 13, 2020, at theWayback Machine

Preceded by Wisconsin

List of U.S. states by date of statehood Admitted on September 9, 1850 (31st)

Succeeded by Minnesota

37°N120°W / 37°N 120°W /37; -120 (State of California)