California cities... the words sound almost like music, like a sweet dream in reality. So you imagine mountains and the ocean, palm trees, highways, kilometers of sand in California, sultry beauties from Hollywood films. You can continue as much as your imagination allows.
Life is somewhat more prosaic. Large California cities- the most populous state in America, located on the Pacific Ocean. If you move from north to south, the first city is San Francisco.
San Francisco has gained worldwide fame since the time of the “gold rush”. Today it is a major financial, scientific, technological and pharmaceutical center. And, of course, this city attracts a lot of tourists.
There's a lot to see here. The beautiful Golden Gate, narrow streets, the famous hills of San Francisco, many houses of the Victorian era, picturesque trams, even the Alcatraz prison, featured in many films.
The largest city in the state of California, the second in the country in terms of population after and the first in the number of dreams is. The City of Angels, the city of myths and legends, the habitat of world cinema stars, a legend in the flesh. This city can even disappoint you a little if you expect too much.
Glitz and glamor is mostly around with its Walk of Stars, the Kodak Theater where the Academy Awards are now presented, the Chinese Theatre, Rodeo Drive and several other places that have been featured in many films and TV shows.
In fact, greater Los Angeles is home to about 17 million people, a giant agglomeration on the shores of the Pacific Ocean. It is very difficult to find the center here. Formally, there is a Downtown with its skyscrapers, banks and government offices, but in fact Los Angeles is a union of small towns, each with its own center and way of life.
World famous for many films and such names as Hollywood, Santa Monica, or please the ear.
However, in addition to the cinema and media business and entertainment industry, the city’s economy has developed international trade, the financial sector, and law. The Port of Los Angeles is one of the largest in the world.
Located in the very south near the Mexican border, the second most populous city in California is considered the city with the best and mildest climate.
It is also the first American city on the West Coast. The city is home to the largest naval port, which, of course, influenced the development of the military, aerospace industry and shipbuilding in the city.
San Diego is home to one of the world's largest zoos, many parks, museums and beautiful beaches, which makes this city incredibly attractive to tourists.
In short, whichever of the major California cities you don't think about visiting, there are many interesting, beautiful and attractive places everywhere.
There are 58 counties and 480 cities in the state of California. The state is home to the largest county in the United States by area - San Bernardino. State law does not distinguish between the use of the terms "city" and "town", all cities have the same status, but 458 use the name "City of (Name)", and 22 - "Town of (Name)". According to the method of government, cities are divided into those governed in accordance with state laws and those with their own charters. All cities in the top ten largest have charters.
The first city to be chartered was Sacramento on February 27, 1850. The youngest city of Minifi received the status on October 1, 2008.
Most cities in California are organized into city statistical and budget areas. More than two-thirds of the state's population lives in the three largest metropolitan areas: Greater Los Angeles, the San Francisco Bay Area and the Riverside-San Bernardino area.
Ten largest cities in California:
Los Angeles. Los Angeles County. Population - 3,831,868 people
The largest city in California, the second largest city in the United States. World cultural, technological, scientific and financial center. The administrative center of Los Angeles County. Los Angeles-Long Beach-Santa Ana metropolitan area. Widely known as the "City of Angels", often abbreviated as L.A. Los Angeles is a global city. The strongest economy is based on international trade, entertainment, manufacturing and tourism. In addition, an important role belongs to the financial and telecommunications sectors of the economy, medicine, transport and law. The Port of Los Angeles is the 5th busiest port in the world, and the economy is 3rd in the US (after New York and Chicago) and 8th in the world.
San Diego San Diego County. Population - 1,306,300 people
Located on the border with Mexico. The eighth most populous city in the United States. The county seat of San Diego County. The city is bordered on the west by the Pacific Ocean, and on the south by Mexico. The city tram runs all the way to the border. It is the oldest city on the West Coast of the United States. The harbor was discovered in 1542 by the Portuguese navigator Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo. The founding date of San Diego is considered to be the opening of the Franciscan mission in 1769. The city has many attractions related to history in one way or another. For example, on the Coronado Peninsula there is the oldest hotel on this coast with the same name.
San Jose Santa Clara County. Population - 964,695 people
Located in the southern part of the San Francisco Bay Area. The tenth most populous city in the United States. Originally called El Pueblo de San Jose" de Guadalupe, San Jose was founded on November 29, 1777 as the first city in the Spanish colony of New California (Nueva California), later renamed Alta California. The actual center of "Silicon" Valley", a major high-tech center. The headquarters of many information technology companies are located here, including Cisco Systems, Adobe Systems, BEA Systems, eBay, KLA Tencor. The administrative center of Santa Clara County.
San Francisco San Francisco County. Population - 815,358 people
One of the most important cities in the San Francisco Bay Area. The second most populous city in the United States. San Francisco is a global tourist destination, known for its cool summer fogs, steep hills and mix of Victorian and modern architecture. The city's attractions include the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz Island, the cable car system, Coit Tower and Chinatown. The administrative center of San Francisco County.
Fresno Fresno County. Population - 479,918 people
Fresno California's largest landlocked city. Located in the California Valley. Large agricultural center. The county seat of Fresno County. The city is the cultural and economic center of the second largest metropolitan area in the California Valley.
Sacramento Sacramento County. Population - 466,676
Sacramento The seat of the State of California and Sacramento County. Located in the California Valley. During the California Gold Rush of 1849, Sacramento became the center of the mining region. In 1863, it was from Sacramento that the construction of the first US railroad, the Central Pacific Railroad, began. And from the end of 1940, the city’s industry and its population began to grow rapidly. In the center of the capital is the California State Capitol, a government building that is surrounded by a park (Capitol Park), covering an area of 16 hectares. And initially the city began to be built up along the eastern bank of the Sacramento River. And during 1800, the first urban structure was founded here. Now this area of old buildings and factories is called Old Sacramento.
Long Beach Los Angeles County. Population - 462,604 people
One of the largest seaports in the world, an important industrial center. Part of the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Santa Ana metropolitan area. The city has a very developed oil industry, oil has been found both under the earth's surface and under the surface of the seabed. The city is home to various enterprises, factories for the production of aircraft, automobile parts, electronics and home furnishings. The headquarters of the American division of Epson and Molina Healthcare are located in Long Beach. The development of high technology and the aerospace industry contributed to the formation of the city.
Oakland Alameda County. Population - 409,189 people
The county seat of Alameda County. One of the cities of the San Francisco Bay Area, an important seaport. According to the US Census Bureau, the city covers an area of 202.4 km^(2) (of which 145.2 km^(2) is land and 57.2 km^(2) is water). Two thirds of the territory is occupied by a plain adjacent to the bay and one third is located on the hills. One of Oakland's attractions is Lake Merritt, the largest salt lake in the United States located within the city.
Santa Ana, Orange County. Population - 340,338 people
Located about 16 km east of the Pacific coast. The county seat of Orange County. Part of the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Santa Ana metropolitan area. The Santa Ana River flows through the city (depending on the season).
Anaheim, Orange County. Population - 337,896 people
Located 45 kilometers south of Los Angeles, it is the 10th most populous city in California and the 56th most populous in the United States. Anaheim is the second most populous city in Orange County after Santa Ana, but the largest in area. The city is known for its theme parks, sports teams and convention centers. Disneyland is located within the city.
On the shores of the Pacific Ocean. California is the most populous and third largest state in the United States.
The name "California" is taken from the 16th century novel "The Adventures of Espladián" ("Las sergas de Espladián" by García Rodríguez de Montalvo), where this was the name of the paradise island.
State nicknames:
El Dorado State
Golden State(Golden State)
Golden West
Land of Milk and Honey
Story
The first Europeans to explore these shores were Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo in 1542 and Sir Francis Drake in 1579. Until the 1730s, California was considered an island. Beginning in the late 1700s, Spanish missionaries built small settlements on vast tracts of empty land north of Baja California. California Baja). After the proclamation of Mexican independence, the entire chain of such settlements (missions) was declared the property of the Mexican government and they were abandoned.
California was the name given to the northwestern part of the Spanish Empire in North America. After the Mexican-American War of 1847, the region was divided between Mexico and the United States. American part, Upper California (Spanish) California Alta), became the 31st US state in 1850.
After the discovery of gold in 1848, the so-called “Gold Rush” began. At this time, the population of California is growing exponentially. At the same time, the Republic of California was proclaimed, the existence of which quickly ended after US Navy Commodore Sloat landed in the San Francisco Bay and declared this territory to belong to the United States. In 1850 California was admitted to the Union of States.
During the American Civil War, California officially supported the North. But the population was divided in its preferences, and detachments of California volunteers fought on both sides.
The completion of the first transcontinental railroad in the 1870s led to explosive population growth. The settlers liked the climate, which was perfect for living and farming. By 1950, California had become the most populous state in the United States, which it still is today.
Administrative structure
California is governed as a republic. It has three branches of government - executive, legislative and judicial.
The executive branch consists of the state governor and other elected officials.
Legislative power is exercised by the Senate (40 senators) and the Assembly (80 deputies). California's governing law is the California Constitution, one of the longest pieces of legislation in the world. Its volume is more than 10,000 pages.
The judicial branch consists of the California Supreme Court and lower courts.
The state capital is Sacramento. Previously, the capital cities were Monterey (1775-1849), San Jose (1849-1851), Valeijo (1852-1853), Benicia (1853-1854) and San Francisco (1862). Sacramento became the permanent capital in 1854. In 1862, capital functions were moved to San Francisco for four months due to severe flooding.
California has two representatives in the US Senate and 53 in the US Congress.
Geography
California is located along the Pacific Ocean. It is bordered by Oregon to the north, Nevada and Arizona to the east, and the Mexican state of Baja California to the south. California is the third largest US state (410,000 km 2). Most major cities lie on the coast, in cooler climates.
The central part of the state is occupied by the fertile Central Valley. Central Valley), framed on all sides by mountains, which was once the bottom of the ocean.
In southern California is the Mojave Desert. To the northeast of it lies Death Valley, the lowest (86 meters below sea level) and hottest point in North America.
To the east are the Sierra Nevada mountains (Spanish). Sierra Nevada- snow-capped mountains). They are crowned by Mount Whitney, the highest point in the continental United States (4421 m). Yosemite National Park and deep freshwater Lake Tahoe are also located here.
The San Andreas Fault runs throughout California, causing frequent earthquakes. There are also several volcanoes in California. Some are active, such as Lassen Peak, which erupted in 1914 and 1921.
Climate
California's climate is extremely diverse. Much of the state is Mediterranean, with rainy winters and dry summers. The influence of the ocean reduces the temperature spread, leading to cool summers and warm winters. Due to the cold California Ocean Current, there is often fog along the coast. As you move deeper into the territory, the climate becomes more continental, with a wide range of temperatures in winter and summer. Westerly winds from the ocean bring moisture, and the northern part of the state receives more precipitation than the southern part. The climate is also influenced by mountains, which do not allow moist air from the ocean to pass far into the continent.
The northwestern part of California has a temperate climate, with total precipitation of 38–100 cm per year. The Central Valley has a Mediterranean climate, but with a greater range of temperatures. The mountains are characterized by a mountain climate, snowy winters and moderately warm summers. To the east of the mountain ranges are desert areas with cold winters and hot summers.
Economy
California produces 17% of the US gross national income. This is more than any country in the world produces except the USA, Japan, Germany, China, Great Britain, France, and Italy.
The main industry of California's economy is agriculture, including the production of fruits, vegetables, dairy products and wine. After agriculture comes the aerospace industry, the entertainment industry (mainly television and film), and the high-tech industry.
Population
As of the 2000 Census, California had a population of 33,871,648, making California the most populous state in the United States (12% of the total population).
There is no absolute ethnic majority in California. The majority of the population is still white, followed by Hispanics (almost a third), Asians, African Americans and American Indians. Experts predict that Hispanics will make up the vast majority of California's population by 2040. The reasons for this are the large flow of immigrants from Mexico and the high birth rate among them.
Major cities
Most California cities are concentrated in nine metropolitan areas. The largest of them are located near the coast: Los Angeles, San Diego, San Jose and San Francisco. The other five are inland: Inland Empire (Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario), Sacramento, Fresno, Bakersfield, and Antelope Valley (Palmdale-Lancaster).
California has a huge number of well-known tourist trails and destinations, but the third largest state in the United States has many little-known small but very interesting towns that are worth visiting.
A list of these was compiled by The Crazy Tourist.
1. Arcata
It seems that this city is a smaller copy of the whole of California. It has a multinational population, part of the city is urban, and part resembles the countryside, in addition, it is located at the junction of different climatic zones.
Visitors enjoy relaxing on the area's spectacular beaches, strolling through redwood forests, and admiring the city's streets and squares.
2. Avalon
It is the southernmost city in Los Angeles County and once belonged to the Gabrielino/Tongva tribe.
Hill houses, lush vegetation and beautiful beaches attract visitors to the city. It's hard to believe, but this town of 4 thousand people is visited by about a million tourists every year to take part in the open-air entertainment events that often take place on the territory of Avalon.
3. Carmel-by-the-Sea
This European-style city is known for its libraries and museums. All visitors to the city fall in love with its cottages, which look like the houses of Disney cartoon characters.
4. Dunsmoor
Tourists describe this city as a calm and secluded mountain paradise. One gets the impression that time has stopped in this city - everything here is reminiscent of California at the beginning of the twentieth century.
It will be a real find for lovers of outdoor recreation: here you can go rock climbing, go mountain hiking, mountain biking or skiing.
5. Ferndale
With only 1.5 thousand inhabitants, this town resembles a cozy Victorian village.
Main Street is listed as a US Historic Landmark and boasts dozens of Victorian-style homes.
This beauty is surrounded on all sides by redwood forests.
6. Grover Beach
It is warm and sunny here all year round, with very little rainfall, so you can soak up the beach at any time of the year. And the proximity of the mountains and low prices make this place simply a paradise for tourists. When visiting this city, you should definitely stop by Monarch Grove, where you can admire the royal butterflies.
7. Julian
This town was founded by gold seekers. Now tourists visit it to soak in the history and also admire the oak and coniferous forests around the town.
There are many museums, galleries and cafes here, some of which even offer cider-making master classes to visitors.
8. Sonoma
This is a historical place, a paradise for food lovers and a dream for nature lovers.
There is a lot of Mexican colonial architecture here, and even the street layout has remained untouched from those historical times.
9. Nevada City
Once this place was the center of the gold rush, now it can be called a symbol of natural idyll.
Set against a stunning natural backdrop, this town is home to many Victorian-style buildings.
10. El Segundo
There is a very cozy beach here, where there are usually few vacationers due to fairly strong waves, which makes this city an ideal place for those who want to escape from the bustle of big cities.
11. Ojai
The quiet location with enchanting views is also great for those looking to get away from the big city.
Besides its Spanish-style architecture, this city is known for its quality organic produce and the oranges that are grown here.
12. Montague
The town, located between the mountains, has a huge number of vineyards and wine shops. In addition, this place is famous for its treats for every taste. Here you can often meet writers and other creative people who come here for inspiration.
14. Los Alamitos
This city is famous for sugar beets and water polo, no matter how strange this combination may seem at first glance.
Los Alamitos developed from a sugar beet ranch that was established in the 19th century.
A little later, the main water polo competitions began to be held here, since the US National Water Polo Center is located in the city.
15. Healdsburg
This town is famous for its wineries and old-fashioned magicians. In addition, there is the Russian River, where you can swim, fish or canoe.
Attention! Copyright! Reproduction is possible only with written permission. . Copyright infringers will be prosecuted in accordance with applicable law.
Cities in California
Despite California's vast mountainous terrain, the state's economic life is concentrated in the lower valley, where four of the twenty largest cities in the United States are located: Los Angeles, San Diego, San Jose and San Francisco.
The capital of California is the city of Sacramento, whose metropolitan area is home to 1,340 thousand people. During the California Gold Rush of 1849, Sacramento became the center of the mining region.
Los Angeles is the largest city in California and the largest center for the production of what is called the American Dream throughout the world. Famous Hollywood stars drive along these very streets in luxury cars.
The sixth largest city in the United States is San Diego, California, the most important base for the US Navy. Balboa Park is home to many museums, botanical gardens and the famous San Diego Zoo.
The Californian city of San Francisco is one of the most beautiful, interesting and huge centers of culture, financial world and production in the United States. The city's funicular tram, fabulous Chinatown and the beautiful green hills of Frisco envelop visitors in the inimitable charm of San Francisco.