Map of California

The state of California is located in the Western United States, bordered by Oregon to the north, Nevada and Arizona to the east, the Mexican state of Baja California to the south, and the Pacific Ocean to the west.

About the map:

This map of California State shows the state borders, lakes, states, state capital, county borders, counties, county seats and important cities.

County seats are indicated by a red circle, white circles indicate cities, and the capital of California is indicated by a star in the red circle. The larger the city in terms of population, the larger the circle on the map and the larger the font of the city name.

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Key Facts:

The Great Seal of the State of California	Flag of California
Capital:	Sacramento
Largest city:	Los Angeles
Largest metropolitan area:	Greater Los Angeles
Largest county by population:	Los Angeles County
Largest county by area:	San Bernardino County
Area:	163,700 sq mi (423,970 km2)
Population (2025):	39,355,309[1]
Density:	250/sq mi (97/km2)
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
Elevation:	Highest elevation (Mount Whitney) - 14,504.6 ft (4,421 m) Lowest elevation (Badwater Basin) - −278.9 ft (−85.0 m)
Official language:	English
Religion (2021):[2]	34% - Catholicism 27% - Protestantism 2% - Buddhism 1% - Jehovah's Witness 1% - Mormonism 1% - Judaism 1% - Hinduism 28% - Unaffiliated 5% - other religions
Racial/ethnic groups (2024):[1]	33.6% White (not Hispanic or Latino) 40.8% Hispanic or Latino 17% Asian 6.4% Black or African American 1.8% Native American or Alaska Native 0.5% Pacific Islander 4.4% Two or more races
Median household income (2024):	$99,122[1]
USPS abbreviation:	CA
ISO 3166 code:	US-CA
Time zone:	UTC−08:00 (PST) Summer (DST) UTC−07:00 (PDT)
The Official Website of the State of California:	www.ca.gov

About the State of California

California is a state located in the western United States, bordered by Oregon to the north, Nevada and Arizona to the east, the Mexican state of Baja California to the south, and the Pacific Ocean to the west. With an estimated population of approximately 39 million people as of recent census data, California is the most populous state in the United States. It is also the third-largest state by total area, covering approximately 163,700 square miles (423,970 square kilometers).

The state capital is Sacramento, while Los Angeles is the most populous city. California became the 31st state to join the Union on September 9, 1850.

Where is the state of California in the United States of America?

Geography and Climate

California features remarkably diverse geography, ranging from the Pacific coastline to the Sierra Nevada mountain range, and from the Mojave Desert to temperate rainforests. The state contains the highest point in the contiguous United States, Mount Whitney, which rises to 14,505 feet (4,421 meters), as well as the lowest point in North America, Badwater Basin in Death Valley, at 282 feet (86 meters) below sea level. These two extreme points are located less than 90 miles apart.

The climate varies significantly across different regions. Coastal areas experience a Mediterranean climate with mild, wet winters and dry summers, while the Central Valley has a hot-summer Mediterranean climate. The Sierra Nevada experiences alpine conditions, and the southeastern deserts have arid climates with extreme temperature variations.

History

Indigenous Peoples and European Colonization

Before European contact, California was inhabited by numerous Native American tribes and groups, with estimates suggesting a pre-contact population of over 300,000 people. These groups included the Chumash, Tongva, Miwok, Yokuts, and many others, speaking more than 100 different languages and dialects.

Spanish explorers first arrived in the 16th century, with Juan Rodríguez Cabrillo exploring the California coast in 1542. Spanish colonization began in earnest in 1769 with the establishment of missions, presidios, and pueblos. The mission system, led by Father Junípero Serra, eventually established 21 missions along the California coast from San Diego to Sonoma. California remained under Spanish rule until 1821, when it became part of the newly independent Mexico.

American Acquisition and the Gold Rush

Following the Mexican-American War, California was ceded to the United States under the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo in 1848. Coincidentally, gold was discovered at Sutter's Mill in Coloma in January 1848, triggering the California Gold Rush. This massive migration brought hundreds of thousands of people to California from across the United States and around the world, dramatically transforming the region's demographics and economy. The population surge was so significant that California was able to apply for statehood just two years later, bypassing the usual territorial phase.

Economy

California possesses the largest economy of any U.S. state and, if it were an independent country, would rank as one of the world's largest economies. The state's gross domestic product exceeds $3 trillion, representing approximately 14-15% of the total U.S. economy. California's economy is highly diversified, with major sectors including:

• Technology and innovation - Silicon Valley serves as the global center for technology and innovation, hosting headquarters of major companies such as Apple, Google, Facebook (Meta), and numerous others
• Entertainment - Hollywood in Los Angeles is the center of the global film and television industry
• Agriculture - California is the leading agricultural state, producing over one-third of the country's vegetables and two-thirds of its fruits and nuts
• Tourism - Major attractions include national parks, beaches, theme parks, and cultural destinations
• Manufacturing and international trade - The state hosts major ports including Los Angeles and Long Beach

Demographics

California is the most ethnically and culturally diverse state in the nation. No single ethnic group constitutes a majority of the population. As of recent census data, the largest ethnic groups include Hispanic or Latino (approximately 39%), White non-Hispanic (approximately 35%), Asian (approximately 15%), and African American (approximately 6%). The state is also home to the largest populations of Mexican Americans, Chinese Americans, Filipino Americans, and Vietnamese Americans in the United States.

Major metropolitan areas include the Greater Los Angeles Area with over 13 million people, the San Francisco Bay Area with over 7 million, and the San Diego metropolitan area with over 3 million residents. The state contains some of the most expensive real estate markets in the nation, particularly in coastal urban areas.

Government and Politics

California operates under a constitution adopted in 1879, though it has been amended numerous times. The state government is divided into three branches: executive, legislative, and judicial. The Governor of California serves as the chief executive, elected to four-year terms with a limit of two terms. The California State Legislature is bicameral, consisting of a 40-member State Senate and an 80-member State Assembly.

California has traditionally been a politically significant state in national elections due to its large number of electoral votes (currently 54, the most of any state). The state has trended increasingly Democratic in recent decades, though it has a complex political history that includes periods of Republican dominance.

Education and Research

The state maintains three major public university systems. The University of California system includes ten campuses and is among the world's premier public research university systems, with institutions such as UC Berkeley and UCLA consistently ranked among the top universities globally. The California State University system is the largest four-year public university system in the United States, with 23 campuses serving over 480,000 students. The California Community Colleges system comprises 116 colleges serving approximately 2.1 million students annually.

California is also home to prestigious private universities including Stanford University, the California Institute of Technology (Caltech), and the University of Southern California, among others.

Natural Resources and Environment

California faces significant environmental challenges and opportunities. The state has been a leader in environmental regulation and renewable energy adoption, with ambitious goals for carbon neutrality and renewable energy usage. However, California also confronts serious environmental issues including prolonged droughts, wildfires that have become increasingly severe and frequent, and water scarcity concerns.

The state contains numerous national parks, including Yosemite, Sequoia and Kings Canyon, Death Valley, Joshua Tree, Redwood, Lassen Volcanic, Channel Islands, and Pinnacles. These protected areas preserve unique ecosystems and geological features while providing recreational opportunities for millions of visitors annually.

Transportation and Infrastructure

California has an extensive transportation network including over 50,000 miles of highways and freeways. The state is served by major international airports in Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego, San Jose, Oakland, and Sacramento. California's port system, particularly the Port of Los Angeles and Port of Long Beach, handles a significant portion of U.S. container traffic from Asia.

The state has invested in public transportation systems, including regional rail networks such as Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART), the Los Angeles Metro, and commuter rail services. California is also developing a high-speed rail system intended to connect major cities, though the project has faced numerous delays and cost overruns.

Major cities in California

• Los Angeles
• San Diego
• San Jose
• San Francisco
• Fresno
• Sacramento
• Long Beach
• Oakland
• Bakersfield
• Anaheim

• Stockton
• Riverside
• Irvine
• Santa Ana
• Chula Vista
• Santa Clarita
• Fremont
• San Bernardino
• Modesto
• Fontana

• Moreno Valley
• Oxnard
• Huntington Beach
• Glendale
• Ontario
• Elk Grove
• Santa Rosa
• Rancho Cucamonga
• Garden Grove
• Oceanside

• Lancaster
• Roseville
• Palmdale
• Corona
• Salinas
• Hayward
• Sunnyvale
• Escondido
• Pomona
• Visalia

Counties in California

There are 58 counties in the U.S. state of California.

List of counties in California

California County Map

Major Rivers in California

Major Lakes in California

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References

1. ^ QuickFacts California. U.S. Census Bureau.
2. ^ "American Values Atlas: Religious Tradition in California". Public Religion Research Institute.