California

California is the most populous state in the United States and the largest by economic output, a global center of technology, entertainment and agriculture. Its capital is Sacramento, while Los Angeles is the largest city and the San Francisco Bay Area anchors Silicon Valley. Nicknamed the Golden State, it would rank among the world's largest economies as a country.

California stretches along the Pacific coast from redwood forests in the north to deserts in the south, with the snowcapped Sierra Nevada, the fertile Central Valley, and the highest and lowest points in the contiguous US. It is geologically active, lying along the San Andreas Fault. Climates range from Mediterranean to alpine to desert.

California is a cultural trendsetter, home to Hollywood and the global film industry, a vibrant tech sector, and remarkable ethnic diversity. Surf culture, environmental awareness, wine country and a spirit of reinvention all shape its identity.

Home to many Indigenous peoples, California was colonized by Spain and Mexico before the 1848 discovery of gold triggered a massive rush and statehood as the 31st state in 1850. The 20th century brought film, aerospace and the technology boom that made it an economic powerhouse.