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Location
California is located on the western coast of the US, and extends
along the Pacific Ocean from the state of Oregon in the north
to Mexican border in the south. The state is approximately 200
miles (300 km) wide from its western beaches to its eastern deserts
bordering the states of Nevada and Arizona.
Attractions
California's natural beauty is unrivaled, with towering redwood
forests, majestic Mount Shasta, the dramatic coast of Big Sur,
the granite grandeur of Yosemite National Park, the emerald green
of the High Sierra-Lake Tahoe, and the austere beauty of Death
Valley. bridge.
Other popular tourist destinations in California include Disneyland,
Hollywood, the Golden Gate Bridge, Sequoia National Park, San
Simeon State Park, and Point Reyes National Seashore
Death valley, at 282 feet below see level, is lowest point in
the country while Mt. Whitney, at 14,491 ft, is the highest point
in contiguous United States. California is also home to Lassen
Peak, one of the two active volcanoes outside of Alaska and Hawaii.
Los
Angeles and San Francisco
California's two most famous cities, Los Angeles and San Francisco,
are both known for their trendy lifestyles, excellent restaurants
and shops and exciting nightlife, yet they diverge in important
respects.
The multi ethnic metropolis, Los Angeles with its sprawling plan
and buzzing freeways, is a truly modern city and home to Hollywood,
movie stars, business tycoons and four million people. The city
is only a few hours away from Sierra Nevada wilderness and the
Palm Springs desert.
San Francisco, called as the most livable city in the United States
because of its unparalleled natural setting, its cosmopolitan
mix of people, its fine restaurants, its outstanding coupling
of old and new architecture and its bountiful cultural attractions.
This city lies on the slopes of a hilly peninsula on the shores
of a vast blue bay amid the coastal mountains. The city is only
a few hours away from the Yosemite National Park and California
Wine Country of Sonoma and Napa Valley.
Fact
File
Capital: Sacramento
Population: 33,871,648 (According to the year 2000 census)
Land area: 155,973 sq mi. (403,970 sq km)
Governor: Gray Davis, D
Flag
Economy
California
is the world's Information technology hub. Other major contributors
to California's economy include agriculture, manufacturing (transportation
equipment, machinery, and electronic equipment), biotechnology,
aerospace-defense, entertainment industry and tourism. Principal
natural resources include timber, petroleum, cement, and natural
gas.
Top Ten Cities
Los Angeles: 3,694,820; San Diego: 1,223,400; San Jose: 894,943;
San Francisco: 776,733; Long Beach: 461,522; Fresno: 427,652;
Sacramento: 407,018; Oakland: 399,484; Santa Ana: 337,977; Anaheim:
328,014
Getting
There
California's
gateway cities are served by major airlines with connecting service
to other destinations. The state also has a well-maintained highway
system and Amtrak runs coastal and east/west trains into and out
of the state.
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