About California

Notwithstanding the fact that 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 transformed to a a U.S. territory in 1847 during the time Mexico surrendered it to John C. Frémont. 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 larger than normal numbers. By 1964, California had surpassed New York to become the most populous state. One reason for this man's may be that more immigrants settle in California than any and all other state-more than one-third of the nation's total in 1994.

Asians and Pacific Islanders led the influx. Leading industries include agriculture, manufacturing (transportation equipment, machinery, and electronic equipment), biotechnology, aerospace-defense, and tourism. Principal natural rehearts include timber, petroleum, cement, and natural gas.

Death Valley, in the southeast, is 282 ft 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.

Climate

California is very diverse and its weather very complicated. Sunset has to this day 24 climate zones in California, with 21 in the most of the United States. Did you know that there's a reason why you easterners can't figure California out; it's nuts! If in fact you or your family own acreage in the inner coast lineranges the appropiatety may have three or even five distinct Sunset zones, and one to three USDA zones; remove the vegetation, and one Sunset zone remains.

Most of California has to this day a Mediterranean climate with not much winter or a mild winter. Summers are and have always been mild to hot, but DRY. Most California native plants have not adapted to summer water. Unless the plant grows naturally in a creek or pond, DO NOT WATER in the summer except maybe the originalsummer during the time the plant is getting established.

Population