 California
Information
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 Division of Tourism
California State Library
California Statewide Communities
Development Authority
League of California Cities
Municipal Information Systems Association
of California
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