By J.C. Lewis
California is a state on the west coast of the
United States. Its western border is the Pacific Ocean, and its neighbors are
Mexico to the south, Arizona and Nevada to the east, and Oregon to the north.
Population
California is the largest state by population, with almost 37 million people in 2008. One out of 8 U.S. residents lives in California.
Diverse Geography
California has over 1200 miles of Pacific coastline, 6 separate mountain ranges,18 national forests and 3 major deserts. It is home to the highest mountain in the lower 48 states, Mount Whitney, and the hottest place in the United States, Death Valley.
Economy
California is the ninth largest economy in the world, with a greater domestic product than Brazil, Canada and Spain.
Agriculture
California's Central Valley region is the most productive agricultural area in the world.
California's Amazing Trees
California is home to the two largest species of tree in the world: Coastal Redwoods and Giant Sequoias. The Coastal Redwood is one of the tallest (and one of the oldest) living things on earth, growing only in northern California. The Giant Sequoia, which also grows in California, is the largest tree in the world by mass.
State Animal
California's state animal is the Grizzly Bear, which appears on the state flag.
Resources
About the Author:
J.C. Lewis is the editor and co-owner of a weekly newspaper, as well as a staffer and regular contributor to a group of three newspapers in Los Angeles, Calif. Her writing has appeared on USAToday.com, Hotels.com and various other websites. Lewis holds a Bachelor of Science in politics from the University of Bristol, England.
