Capital: Sacramento State abbreviation/Postal code: Calif./CA Governor: Arnold Schwarzenegger, R (to Jan. 2011) Lieut. Governor: John Garamendi, D (to Jan. 2011) Senators: Barbara Boxer, D (to Jan. 2011); Dianne Feinstein, D (to Jan. 2013) U.S. Representatives: 53 Historical biographies of Congressional members Secy. of State: Debra Bowen, D (to Jan. 2011) Atty. General: Jerry Brown, D (to Jan. 2011) Treasurer: Bill Lockyear, D (to Jan. 2011 Entered Union (rank): Sept. 9, 1850 (31) Present constitution adopted: 1879 Motto: Eureka (I have found it) State symbols: | flower | golden poppy (1903) | | tree | California redwoods (Sequoia sempervirens & Sequoiadendron giganteum) (1937, 1953) | | bird | California valley quail (1931) | | animal | California grizzly bear (1953) | | fish | California golden trout (1947) | | colors | blue and gold (1951) | | song | “I Love You, California” (1951) |
Nickname: Golden State Origin of name: From a book, Las Sergas de Esplandián, by Garcia Ordóñez de Montalvo, c. 1500 10 largest cities (2005 est.): Los Angeles, 3,844,829; San Diego, 1,255,540; San Jose, 912,332; San Francisco, 739,426; Long Beach, 474,014; Fresno, 461,116; Sacramento, 456,441; Oakland, 395,274; Santa Ana, 340,368; Anaheim, 331,804 Land area: 155,959 sq mi. (403,934 sq km) Geographic center: In Madera Co., 38 mi. E of Madera Number of counties: 58 Largest county by population and area: Los Angeles, 9,935,475 (2005); San Bernardino, 20,164 sq mi. National forests: 18 State parks and beaches: 278 (1.5 million ac.) Residents: Californian 2005 resident population est.: 36,132,147 2000 resident census population (rank): 33,871,648 (1). Male: 16,874,892 (49.8%); Female: 16,996,756 (50.2%). White: 20,170,059 (59.5%); Black: 2,263,882 (6.7%); American Indian: 333,346 (1.0%); Asian: 3,697,513 (10.9%); Other race: 5,682,241 (16.8%); Two or more races: 1,607,646 (4.7%); Hispanic/Latino: 10,966,556 (32.4%). 2000 percent population 18 and over: 72.7; 65 and over: 10.6; median age: 33.3. See additional census data Area codes Tourism office |
