Facts About California

California, state in the western United States, bordering the Pacific Ocean. The third largest state in the Union, California covers an area of great physical diversity in which uplands dominate the landscape. The mountains, hills, ridges, and peaks of California flank the coastline, rise to nearly 4,600 m (15,000 ft) in the towering Sierra Nevada, encircle the great fertile basin of the Central Valley, and separate the desert into innumerable basins.

California's size, complexity, and economic productivity make it preeminently a state of superlatives. It has the lowest point in the country, in Death Valley, and the highest U.S. peak outside of Alaska, Mount Whitney. Among the 50 states it has the greatest number of national parks and national forests, and the only stand of giant sequoias. Its annual farm output is greater in value than that of any other state, and it leads the rest of the nation in the production of many crops. It is the leading state in volume of annual construction and manufacturing. California has more people than any other state and more automobiles, more civil aircraft, and more students enrolled in universities and colleges.

California's coastline is 1,352 km (840 mi) long; when all the inlets and islands are taken into account, it is 5,515 km (3,427 mi) long. The only large indentation along the coast is formed by San Francisco Bay and its tributary bays. The nearly landlocked bay is linked with the ocean through the narrow Golden Gate, and it is one of the finest harbors on the Pacific coast of North America. Other indentations include San Diego Bay, San Pedro Bay, Monterey Bay, and Humboldt Bay.

The climate of California is characterized by cool to mild winters and, except in the high mountains, warm to hot summers. The year is divided into a wet season and a dry season. Precipitation falls mainly during the period from October to April. The mountain slopes facing westward are usually wetter than the slopes facing eastward because the moisture-bearing winds from the Pacific are forced to condense and precipitate their moisture as they rise over the mountains. In general, northern California has lower temperatures and greater precipitation than southern California. However, climatic and weather conditions in the state vary greatly from place to place and from year to year.

• Bay Area: Visit the Bay area and explore all of the exciting attractions such as: The Wax Museum, Fisherman's Wharf, Paramounts Great America, Winchester Mystery House, and Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk!
• Southern California: Some of the things to do and see in Southern California include: Disneyland, California Adventure, Six Flags Magic Mountain, Universal Hollywood, Knott's Berry Farm, and SeaWorld San Diego!

	Web http://www.hqtravel.com