California Poppy

 

 

California is the most populous state of the United States, and is known for its pleasant climate and ethnically diverse population. The geography ranges from the beaches of the Pacific to the snow-capped Sierra Nevada mountains in the east. The California Central Valley is one of the most vital agricultural areas in the country.

 

Inhabited by indigenous people for millennia, California was first colonized by the Spanish in 1769, and after Mexican independence in 1821, continued as part of Mexico. California was annexed by the United States in 1846, and was admitted to the Union as the thirty-first state on September 9, 1850.

 

The California Gold Rush, beginning in 1848 brought an influx of population and an economic boom. The early part of the 20th century was marked by California's becoming the center of the entertainment industry. Other important industries have included the aerospace and oil industries. In recent decades, California has become a global leader in computers and information technology. The Central Valley remains home to California's important large agricultural industry. If California were a country, it would rank among the largest ten economies of the world.