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A Brief Description Long before European explorers probed into this land called California, its Stone Age, mostly Asian inhabitants, arrived here by traversing the Bering Strait, and over the centuries that followed a wide variety of cultures developed and prospered.
The Portuguese navigator, Juan Rodríguez Cabrillo, arrived along the California coastline in 1542. His two-ship expedition came ashore in San Diego Bay and he claimed the land for the Spanish Crown.
In 1579, the English explorer, Sir Francis Drake, sailing along the northern coastline found a suitable port where he was able to repair and restock his ships. He subsequently claimed the land for England in the name of Queen Elizabeth I.
In the late 1700's, Gaspar de Portolŕ, the then Spanish Governor of Baja California set out on land and sea with expeditions to settle more areas in the north.
One of his land expeditions arrived at present-day San Diego; they established the Presidio (or fort) of San Diego; then proceeded onward to the present-day sites of Los Angeles, Santa Monica, Santa Barbara, San Simeon and the Salinas River.
Sea explorers from one of Portola's many expeditions were the first Spaniards to view San Francisco Bay In fact, during most of the 17th century, Spanish expeditions continued across California as they established numerous missions and presidios (forts).
California remained under the control of Spain until Mexico's War of Independence with Spain ended in 1821, thus making California a part of Mexico.
During the Mexican-American War (1846-1848), when both nations were fighting for control of Texas, a small group of rebellious white settlers in Sonoma declared independence from Mexico (the Bear Flag Revolt).
That short-lived California Republic was soon merged into the expanding United States of America, as Mexico lost the war and eventually sold California and other territories to the U.S.
With the discovery of gold in late 1848 in the Sierra Nevada foothills - just east of Sacramento - the California Gold Rush began. A flood of 100,000 immigrants from around the world rushed to California searching for the golden riches.
California became the 31st state on September 9, 1850, and the first capital was based in San Jose. That city, along with Benicia and Vallejo (future capital cities) all eventually proved too small and unacceptable, so the capital was finally established in Sacramento.
After America's Civil War ended in 1865, in which California played only a distant role, the state continued to grow as large mining operations were built. Many companies began to hire cheap Chinese laborers, nicknamed "coolies." American laborers protested those hirings and in 1879, a new state constitution was created and ratified, forbidding the hiring of the "coolies." - and it was not repealed until 1952.
The opening of the Lincoln Highway in 1913 (the first transcontinental road in the United States) connected Times Square in New York City to Lincoln Park in San Francisco, and became the major stimulus for development in California. In 1926, the fabled Route 66 opened, again offering more ease of development into the now fast-growing "Golden State."
From 1900 to 1965, the population of California grew from fewer than one million to become the most populated state in the U.S., and its population today is one of the most diverse in the world.
California is a land of accomplishments, beauty and wonder, and famed across Planet Earth for its productive agricultural, beaches, deserts, mountains, national parks, redwood trees, sparkling cities, trendy lifestyles; film, television and music industries; its wine country, and so much more....
California Attractions & Landscape From the towering, ancient forests and mountains in the North to the lovely Sonoran Desert and sparkling beaches in the South, California is full of natural beauty and great places to visit.
Popular activities include camping, fishing and hiking in the stunning mountain ranges; riding the dunes of the Pacific beaches, and enjoying a wine tasting at one of its many worldclass vineyards.
California is the land of sunshine, movie stars, and life in the fast lane! Visit our Hollywood Attractions page for info on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and Universal Studios, or nearby Beverly Hills, where the rich and famous come out to play.
Visit the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, one of the most photographed structures in the world. Sitting on the border of Mexico across from Tijuana, the City of San Diego has a unique, Southwest flavor and home to the world-famous San Diego Zoo and Wild Animal Park.
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Attractions HOLLYWOOD - here! LAKE TAHOE - here! SACRAMENTO - here! SAN DIEGO - here! SAN FRANCISCO - here! SAN JOSE - here! Famous Natives CALIFORNIA FAMOUS NATIVES - here! Fast Facts CALIFORNIA FAST FACTS - here! Flag and Symbols CALIFORNIA FLAG AND SYMBOLS - here!  Landforms CALIFORNIA LANDFORMS - here! Land Statistics CALIFORNIA LAND STATISTICS - here! Latitude and Longitude CALIFORNIA LATITUDE AND LONGITUDE - here! Links CALIFORNIA LINKS - here! Maps CALIFORNIA MAPS - (a large selection) here! Time TIME IN CALIFORNIA - here! Timeline of History CALIFORNIA TIMELINE - here! Travel Information CALIFORNIA TRAVEL - here! Weather CALIFORNIA WEATHER - here!
 
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