California Info
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Capital
City: Sacramento
Economy: Tourism, entertainment,
communications, industry, agriculture, manufacturing and fishing.
Language Description: English
Passport/Visa U.S.: Canadians
need to show proof of citizenship (including a photo ID) to enter and re-enter
Canada. (We recommend a passport.) Reconfirm travel documents with your
carrier before departure.
Population: 33,871,648
Religion: Christian (Protestant
and Roman Catholic) but most other religions are represented.
Time Zone: 8 hours behind
Greenwich Mean Time (-8 GMT). Daylight Saving Time is observed from the
the first Sunday in April to the last Sunday in October
Voltage Requirements: 110
volts
California's Flag:
Historic Bear Flag raised at Sonoma on June 14, 1846, by a group of American
settlers in revolt against Mexican rule. The flag was designed by William
Todd on a piece of new unbleached cotton. The star imitated the lone star
of Texas. A grizzly bear represented the many bears seen in the state. The
word, "California Republic" was placed beneath the star and bear.
It was adopted by the 1911 State Legislature as the State Flag. [Source:
California Blue Book.
History of California:
Although California was sighted by Spanish navigator Juan Rodr?guez Cabrillo
in 1542, its first Spanish mission (at San Diego) was not established until
1769. California became a U.S. territory in 1847 when Mexico surrendered
it to John C. Fr?mont. On Jan. 24, 1848, James W. Marshall discovered gold
at Sutter's Mill, starting the California Gold Rush and bringing settlers
to the state in large numbers. In 1964, the U.S. Census Bureau estimated
that California had become the most populous state, surpassing New York.
California also leads the country in personal income and consumer expenditures.
Leading industries include manufacturing (transportation equipment, machinery,
and electronic equipment), agriculture, biotechnology, and tourism. Principal
natural resources include timber, petroleum, cement, and natural gas. More
immigrants settle in California than any other state—more than one-third
of the nation's total in 1994. Asians and Pacific Islanders led the influx.
Death Valley, in the southeast, is 282 feet below sea level, the lowest
point in the nation. Mt. Whitney (14,491 ft.) is the highest point in the
contiguous 48 states. Lassen Peak is one of two active U.S. volcanoes outside
of Alaska and Hawaii; its last eruptions were recorded in 1917. The General
Sherman Tree in Sequoia National Park is estimated to be 3,500 years old
and a stand of bristlecone pine trees in the White Mountains may be over
4,000 years old. Other points of interest include Yosemite National Park,
Disneyland, Hollywood, the Golden Gate Bridge, San Simeon State Park, and
Point Reyes National Seashore.
Other California Links:
California
Activity Guide
California Chamber of Commerce
California Department of Education
California Division of Tourism
California State Library
California Statewide Communities
Development Authority
League of California Cities
Municipal Information Systems Association
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