California Map

Description: This map shows states boundaries, the state capital, counties, county seats, cities and towns, islands, lakes and national parks in California.
Size: 1566x1686px / 754 Kb
Author: Ontheworldmap.com

Description: This map shows governmental boundaries of countries, states boundaries, islands, lakes, the state capital, counties, county seats, cities, towns, and national parks in California.
Size: 1242x1401px / 240 Kb
Author: Ontheworldmap.com

Other Maps of California

California, located on the west coast of the United States, extends from the Pacific Ocean to the Sierra Nevada mountain range. It borders Oregon to the north, Nevada to the east, Arizona to the southeast, and Mexico to the south. Sacramento is the state capital, situated in the northern part of the Central Valley.

With a population exceeding 39 million, California ranks as the most populous state in the United States. Major cities include Los Angeles, a global hub for entertainment and culture; San Francisco, known for its finance and technology sectors; San Diego, notable for its maritime and military presence; and San Jose, the heart of Silicon Valley and a center for innovation.

Tourism constitutes a significant economic sector in California. Renowned attractions include Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, drawing millions annually. Yosemite National Park, located in the Sierra Nevada, offers iconic landscapes and outdoor recreational activities. The Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco remains a prominent architectural marvel. Coastal destinations like Malibu and Santa Monica attract visitors with their beaches and pier attractions.

In Southern California, Palm Springs provides a well-known resort getaway famous for its golf courses and spas. Napa Valley, situated north of the San Francisco Bay Area, serves as a premier wine country recognized globally for its vineyards and wineries. Additionally, Lake Tahoe, straddling the border between California and Nevada, offers year-round attractions, including skiing in winter and water sports in summer.

Flag of California	Great Seal of California
Capital:	Sacramento
Largest city:	Los Angeles
Area:	163,696 sq mi (423,970 sq km)
Dimensions:	Length 760 mi (1,220 km) Width 250 mi (400 km)
Latitude:	32°32′ N to 42° N
Longitude:	114°8′ W to 124°26′ W
Population (2023):	38,965,193 [1]
Density:	251.3/sq mi (97/sq km)
Elevation:	Highest elevation (Mount Whitney) - 14,505 ft (4,421 m)[2] Lowest elevation (Badwater Basin) −279 ft (−85 m)[3]
Official language:	English
Spoken language:[4]	56.1% English 28.3% Spanish 15.6% Other
Religion:	32% - Protestantism 28% - Catholicism 27% - No religion 2% - Judaism 2% - Hinduism 2% - Buddhism
Racial/ethnic groups (2020):[5]	39.40% Hispanic or Latino 34.69% White 15.12% Asian 5.36% Black or African American 4.12% Mixed Race/Multi-Racial 0.57% Some Other Race 0.39% Native American or Alaska Native 0.35% Pacific Islander
Median household income:	$78,700[6]
USPS abbreviation:	CA
ISO 3166 code:	US-CA
Time zone:	UTC−08:00 (PST) Summer (DST) UTC−07:00 (PDT)
Official website:	www.ca.gov

List of The Largest Cities in California by population

California Beach Towns

Main sights in California

Counties of California

The state of California, consists of 58 counties. Los Angeles County, with over 10 million residents, ranks as the most populous, while Alpine County, with fewer than 1,200 residents, remains the least populous. Geographically, San Bernardino County spans more than 20,000 square miles, making it the largest, whereas San Francisco encompasses just 47 square miles as both a city and county.

Regions of California:

List of National Parks in California

Geography of California

California, located on the west coast of the United States, . It encompasses approximately 163,696 square miles, making it the third-largest state by area. The state stretches from the Pacific Ocean to the Sierra Nevada mountain range, and from the southern Mojave Desert to the dense forests of the northern Coast Ranges.

Key geographical regions include the Coastal Range, home to iconic locations such as Big Sur and the Redwood National Park. The Central Valley, a major agricultural hub, lies between the Sierra Nevada and the Coast Ranges. The Sierra Nevada mountains, which include Mount Whitney—the highest peak in the contiguous United States—extend along the eastern edge of the state. The state also contains significant desert regions, such as Death Valley, which holds the record for the highest temperature on Earth.

California's coastline runs for approximately 840 miles, featuring numerous bays, beaches, and cliffs. Major rivers like the Sacramento and San Joaquin run through the Central Valley, providing essential water resources. These varied landscapes contribute to California's unique climate zones, from Mediterranean along the coast to alpine in the Sierra Nevada, supporting its rich biodiversity and varied ecosystems.

Islands of California

Major Rivers in California

Lakes of California

Mountain Ranges

The 15 highest mountain peaks of California

Brief History of California

California’s history encompasses indigenous cultures, colonial periods, and rapid development. Indigenous peoples, including the Chumash, Miwok, and Yurok, inhabited the region for thousands of years before European contact. Spanish explorers claimed California in the 16th century, establishing missions and settlements by the 18th century. Mexico inherited control after its independence in 1821, maintaining governance until the 1848 Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo ceded California to the United States following the Mexican-American War.

The 1848 discovery of gold at Sutter's Mill propelled the Gold Rush, leading to significant population growth and economic expansion. California attained statehood on September 9, 1850, as the 31st state. Subsequent development included the rise of the agricultural industry, establishment of major urban centers, and the growth of the entertainment and technology sectors.

References