| CALIFORNIA
|
|
| ONTARIO
|
|
| AREA |
163,693 sq miles (land) 155,959 sq miles (water) 7,734 sq miles
|
| CAPITAL |
Sacramento
|
| FAMOUS DATES
|
Entered Union (rank): Sept. 9, 1850 (31) Present constitution adopted: 1879 |
| LOCATION
|
38.546N, 121.426W |
| MEAN ELEVATION
|
2,912 ft. |
| HIGHEST
POINT |
14,494 feet Mt. Whitney, 2nd |
| LOWEST
POINT |
Death Valley; 282 feet below sea level, 1st |
| COUNTIES |
58 |
| COASTLINE |
|
| GEOGRAPHIC CENTER |
approximately 39 miles to the east of Madera, in Madera County |
| STATE FOSSIL
|
|
| STATE GRASS
|
|
| STATE REPTILE
|
|
| STATE ROCK
|
Serpentine |
| STATE GEMSTONE
|
Benitoite |
| STATE FLAG
|
On June 14, 1846, a small band of settlers marched on the Mexican garrison at Sonoma and took the commandant, Mariano Vallejo, prisoner, They issued a proclamation which declared California to be a Republic, independent of Mexico. |
| STATE COLORS
|
blue and gold (1951) |
| STATE SEAL
|
The Great Seal is one of many symbols that decorate the Capitol and represent the state's people and resources. Delegates at California's first Constitutional Convention determined its design, but not without controversy. |
| STATE SLOGAN
|
By 30, Our Women Have More Plastic Than Your Honda |
| STATE
MOTTO
|
Eureka (I have found it) |
| STATE SONG
|
“I Love You, California” (1951) |
| STATE TREE
|
California redwoods (Sequoia sempervirens & Sequoiadendron giganteum) (1937, 1953) |
| STATE BIRD
|
California valley quail (1931) |
| STATE ANIMAL
|
California grizzly bear (1953) |
| STATE FISH
|
California golden trout (1947) |
| STATE METAL
|
|
| STATE NICKNAMES
|
Golden State |
| STATE FLOWER
|
golden poppy (1903) |
| BORDERING
STATES
|
Arizona Nevada Oregon |
