Many Americans recognize California for its sunny beaches and famous movie-star residents, but there’s significantly more to discover about the Golden State.
It’s a large state with millions of residents, vast national parks, and diverse industries, and its rich history has made it one of the most recognizable places in the U.S..
Beyond the well-known aspects, there are many facts about California’s geography, history, people, and some obscure tidbits that many Americans may not know.
Let’s explore 17 of these facts:
1. Most Populous State:
California holds the title of the most populous state in the nation. It is followed by Texas and Florida. According to the U.S.
Census Bureau, the state is home to over 38 million residents. Los Angeles, within California, is the second-highest populated U.S. city, trailing only New York City, with approximately 3.8 million people living there based on Census data.
2. Largest County:
Located in Southern California, San Bernardino County is the largest county in the contiguous United States.
Its expansive area covers over 20,000 square miles, stretching from the edge of Los Angeles to the state’s borders with Nevada and Arizona.
This county is remarkably vast, surpassing the size of nine U.S. states and even being larger than countries like Switzerland, Denmark, and Belgium.
3. Third Largest State:
While California is huge, it is not the largest state by size. In terms of square mileage, it ranks third, behind Alaska and Texas.
The state encompasses over 155,000 square miles of land. Its borders extend nearly 900 miles, and a drive across the state from north to south would take approximately 15 hours, comparable to the distance from New York City to Jacksonville, Florida.
4. World’s Tallest Tree:
California is home to the world’s largest living tree, a redwood named Hyperion. Located in Redwood National Park, this tree measures a remarkable 380 feet tall.
Hyperion is believed to be between 600 and 800 years old, which is considered relatively young compared to other living trees.
Recently, the National Park Service has restricted people from leaving trails to see Hyperion in person due to damage tourists have caused to the surrounding forest ecosystem.
5. Most National Parks:
California boasts the most national parks of any U.S. state, with nine national parks located within its borders. Alaska has the second-highest number with eight.
Notable national parks in California include Joshua Tree, Sequoia, and Yosemite. Death Valley National Park spans land in both California and neighboring Nevada.
6. Hottest Place on Earth:
While known for warmth, California is home to the hottest place on Earth. Death Valley recorded the world’s hottest air temperature of 134 degrees Fahrenheit in 1913.
Death Valley is also the driest place in North America, receiving less than 2 inches of rainfall annually on average. Summer temperatures there frequently reach 120 degrees.
7. Highest and Lowest Points:
California uniquely contains both the highest and lowest points in the contiguous United States. Death Valley is the lowest point, sitting at 282 feet below sea level.
Mount Whitney, the peak of the Sierra Nevada mountain range, is the highest point in the lower 48 states, rising to 14,494 feet above sea level.
8. Watermelon Snow:
The high peaks of the Sierra Nevada mountain range contribute to another phenomenon: watermelon snow. This isn’t just unusually colored snow; it’s caused by algae with green and red pigments.
This algae, known as Chlamydomonas nivalis, thrives in cold water. The red pigment serves to protect the algae from radiation and absorbs heat, which surprisingly causes the snow to melt.
9. Biologically Diverse:
California leads the country in biological diversity. The state is home to over 40,000 different species of plants and animals.
Nearly one-quarter of all plants found in North America exist within California. It’s also important to note that many plants and animals in California are endangered or threatened.
10. Extinct State Animal:
California’s state animal, the California grizzly bear, became extinct about a century ago. It is the only extinct animal featured on a state’s flag and seal.
California grizzly bears lived in the state for hundreds of thousands of years but became completely extinct in the 1920s. The state officially chose the California grizzly bear as its animal in 1953.
11. Historic Cable Cars:
San Francisco’s cable cars are an iconic symbol of the city. They have received the designation of a National Historic Streetcar Landmark, one of only two streetcars currently operating with this status (the other being the St. Charles streetcar line in New Orleans).
San Francisco’s city charter includes specific rules for the operation and minimum service levels of these cable cars, and the city operates two types of cars on different lines.
12. Thriving Almond Industry:
If you enjoy almonds, there’s a high probability they originated in California. The state is responsible for producing about 80% of the world’s almonds and provides the entire commercial supply for the United States.
The almond industry is a vital part of California’s economy, generating billions in revenue and creating over 100,000 jobs statewide.
13. Agricultural Abundance:
California is a major source for many dairy products, fruits, and other agricultural goods. According to the state government, California grows over one-third of the vegetables in the United States and produces nearly three-quarters of the country’s fruit and nuts.
The value of California’s agricultural products recently reached $59 billion. The state’s top agricultural products include dairy, grapes, almonds, and lettuce.
14. Birthplace of the Internet:
A university in California can claim to be the birthplace of the internet. In October 1969, Leonard Kleinrock, a professor at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), along with some students, sent the first internet message. Today, a plaque at Boelter Hall on UCLA’s south campus marks this historic spot.
15. Film and TV Capital:
Hollywood is home to many famous stars and celebrities, which is fitting as California is considered the media production capital of the world.
The film and TV industry in California provides over 700,000 jobs and generates nearly $70 billion in wages for state residents.
16. Southern California Earthquakes:
Minor earthquakes are a common occurrence throughout the year in Southern California. This part of the state records around 10,000 earthquakes annually.
Most of these quakes are small and often imperceptible to people. Roughly 15 to 20 earthquakes each year reach a magnitude of 4.0 or higher.
17. Eureka Motto:
You likely know California as the Golden State, but its official motto, adopted in 1963, is “Eureka”. This motto originally referred to the discovery of gold in the state and has appeared on California’s state seal since 1849.
Alicia Richards