California Facts

Capital
Sacramento

Became a State
September 9, 1850 (31st)

Location
west coast of the United States

Area
163,707 sq. miles (3rd)

Population
33,871,648 (1st)

Major Cities
Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco, San Jose

Products
fruits, vegetables, dairy, wine, oil, tourism

Climate
Mediterranean – sub-arctic

Yearly Precipitation
climate varies widely, from arid to subarctic, depending on latitude, elevation, and proximity to the coast – coastal and southern parts of the state have Mediterranean climate, with somewhat rainy winters and dry summers

Professional Sports Teams
San Francisco 49ers (National Football League)
Oakland Raiders (National Football League)
San Diego Chargers (National Football League)
Los Angeles Dodgers (Mayor Baseball League)
Los Angeles Angels (Major Baseball League)
Oakland Athletics (Major Baseball League)
San Diego Padres (Major Baseball League)
Los Angeles Lakers (National Basketball Association)
Los Angeles Clippers (National Baseball Association)
Sacramento Kings, (National Basketball Association)
Golden State Warriors (National Basketball Association)
Anaheim Ducks (National Hockey League)
Chivas USA (Major League Soccer)
Los Angeles Galaxy (Major League Soccer)
Los Angeles Sparks (Women’s National Basketball Association)
Sacramento Monarchs (Women’s National Basketball Association)
Los Angeles Riptide (Major League Lacrosse)
San Francisco Dragons (Major League Lacrosse)
California Cougars (Major Indoor Soccer League)
San Jose Stealth (National Lacrosse League)

Major Waterways
Sacramento River, Pacific Ocean, Colorado River, San Joaquin River, Klamath River

Most Famous Citizens
John Muir (naturalist)
William Randolph Hearst (publisher)
Earl Warren (Chief Justice of the Supreme Court)
Adlai Stevenson (public Official)
William Saroyan (author)
Richard Nixon (U.S. President)
Joe DiMaggio (baseball player)

State symbols
Bird – California Quail
Flower – Poppy
Animal – Grizzly Bear
Tree – Redwood
Insect – Dogface Butterfly