California is known as “The Golden State,” a nickname officially adopted in 1968.[1] The most significant reason for this nickname stems from the California Gold Rush, which began in 1848 when gold was discovered at Sutter’s Mill. This event led to one of the largest mass migrations in U.S. history, as people from all over the world flocked to California in search of riches. California became the 31st state of the United States on September 9, 1850.[2] The state covers an area of approximately 163,696 square miles (423,970 square kilometers), making it the third-largest state in the U.S. by area.[3] As of 2024, California’s population is estimated to be around 38.9 million, maintaining its status as the most populous state in the country.[4]
California boasts the largest economy in the United States, with a gross state product (GSP) of $3.2 trillion as of 2024.[5] If California were a sovereign nation, it would rank as the world’s sixth-largest economy, ahead of the United Kingdom.[6] The state’s economy is diverse, with significant sectors including finance, business services, government, and manufacturing. Silicon Valley, located in California, is home to some of the world’s most valuable technology companies.[7]
California’s agriculture industry is the highest output of any U.S. state, with the Central Valley being one of the most productive agricultural regions globally.[8] Major cash products include cattle, milk, cotton, and grapes. The state produces over half of the country’s fruits, vegetables, and nuts.[9]
California is home to an abundance of attractions, from natural wonders to man-made landmarks. Notable attractions include the iconic Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco8, the expansive Golden Gate Park, and renowned destinations like Yosemite National Park, Disneyland, and the scenic coastal region of Big Sur. Other major attractions include Redwood National and State Parks and nine other national parks.
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History of CaliforniaHistory of California
The first European to sight present-day California was Spanish navigator Juan Rodríguez Cabrillo in 1542.[10] However, it wasn’t until 1769 that Spain began to actively colonize the region, with the establishment of the first mission at San Diego by Franciscan friar Junípero Serra.[10]
California was admitted as the 31st state to the Union on September 9, 1850.[11] This was a significant event as California bypassed the territorial stage and became a state directly due to the rapid population growth from the Gold Rush. California was admitted to the Union as a free state, which disrupted the balance of power between free and slave states in the Senate and contributed to the outbreak of the Civil War.[2]
California’s role in the Civil War was primarily strategic and economic. The state provided gold crucial to the Union’s financial stability and sent volunteer troops to replace regular army units. Although no battles occurred on California's soil, the state dealt with internal Confederate sympathies and secessionist movements, particularly in Southern California.[12]
Post-Gold Rush, California’s economy diversified significantly. Agriculture became the leading industry, with the state becoming self-sufficient in wheat by the mid-1850s. Cattle ranching also flourished, and the lack of a transcontinental railroad until the late 1860s meant that California developed a robust local economy.[13]
The 20th century saw California transform into an agricultural and industrial power. The economy diversified into oil, tourism, shipping, film, and later aerospace and electronics industries. The state also played a significant role during World War II with expanded aircraft plants and shipyards. Post-war, California experienced a demographic shift with a surge in immigration, contributing to its status as a melting pot of cultures and a hub of innovation.[14]
Demographics of CaliforniaDemographics of California
The demographic distribution of [state] population is as follows:[15]
- White: 52.09%
- Other race: 15.3%
- Asian: 14.92%
- Two or more races: 10.73%
- Black or African American: 5.66%
- Native American: 0.91%
- Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander: 0.38%
Most common surnames in CaliforniaMost common surnames in California
The demographic distribution of California surnames is as follows:[16]
| Surname | Incidence | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| Garcia | 248,823 | 1:156 |
| Smith | 229,837 | 1:169 |
| Lopez | 201,505 | 1:193 |
| Hernandez | 201,154 | 1:193 |
| Martinez | 200,596 | 1:194 |
| Rodriguez | 188,923 | 1:206 |
| Johnson | 182,782 | 1:213 |
| Lee | 182,398 | 1:213 |
| Gonzalez | 161,705 | 1:241 |
| Nguyen | 151,548 | 1:257 |
Researching family history in CaliforniaResearching family history in California
California has two National Archive branches. The National Archives at Riverside has records of southern California, Arizona and Clark County, Nevada. California Indian enrollments, and Asian immigrants. The National Archives at San Francisco has records of California (north and central), Nevada (except Clark County), Hawaii, American Samoa, Guam, Marshall Islands, Caroline Islands, and Northern Mariana Islands, overseas Pacific naval bases, Asian-Pacific immigration, American Indians, and all U.S. censuses. the Bancroft Library has more about western North America than any other website. The California State Library has an important collection of historical and genealogically valuable documents and records. The Sutro Library has a collection of genealogically valuable records. Other major collections include the California State Archives, the California Historical Society, and the California Genealogical Society and Library.
California county listCalifornia county list
California has 58 counties.
| Alameda | Alpine | Amador | Butte |
| Calaveras | Colusa | Contra Costa | Del Norte |
| El Dorado | Fresno | Glenn | Hunbolt |
| Imperial | inyo | Kern | Kings |
| Lake | Lassen | Los Angeles | Madera |
| Marin | Mariposa | Mendocino | Merced |
| Modoc | Mono | Monterey | Napa |
| Nevada | Orange | Placer | Plumas |
| Riverside | Sacramento | San Benito | San Bernadino |
| San Diego | The City and County of San Francisco | San Joaquin | San Louis Obispo |
| Santa Mateo | Santa Barbara | Santa Clara | Santa Cruz |
| Shasta | Sierra | Siskiyou | Solano |
| Sonoma | Stanislaus | Sutter | Tehama |
| Trinity | Tulare | Tuolumne | Ventura |
| Yolo | Yuba |
See alsoSee also
Explore more about CaliforniaExplore more about California
MyHeritage.com has 129 collections of records such as California Births, 1905 - 1995, California Deaths, 1940 - 1997, California, County Marriages, 1850-1952, California, Great Registers, 1866-1910 and California Newspapers, 1847-2009. There are many more valuable collections in the California Collections Catalog.
References
- ↑ 15 Nicknames for California That Will Surprise You
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 California becomes the 31st state in record time | September 9, 1850
- ↑ How Big is California?
- ↑ California Population 2024 (Demographics, Maps, Graphs)
- ↑ Real Gross Domestic Product: All Industry Total in California
- ↑ Where would California rank if it was its own country?
- ↑ Silicon Valley: Definition, Where It Is, and What It's Famous for
- ↑ The 7 Biggest Industries in California
- ↑ California - Agriculture, Technology, Tourism | Britannica
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 California - Exploration, Gold Rush, Statehood | Britannica
- ↑ Government and Law | Early California History: An Overview | Articles and Essays | California as I Saw It: First-Person Narratives of California's Early Years, 1849-1900 | Digital Collections | Library of Congress
- ↑ 10 Facts: California during the Civil War
- ↑ From Gold Rush to Golden State | Early California History: An Overview | Articles and Essays | California as I Saw It: First-Person Narratives of California's Early Years, 1849-1900 | Digital Collections | Library of Congress
- ↑ California - Growth, Diversity, Economy | Britannica
- ↑ California Population 2024 (Demographics, Maps, Graphs)
- ↑ Most Common Surnames in California, With Meanings