California Facts and information
California (CA) was admitted to the Union on September 9, 1850State Capital: Sacramento
California is situated on the West Coast of the United States
States sharing a border with California:
Oregon Nevada Arizona
Oregon , Nevada , Arizona
Size in square miles:
158,302
Major Lakes & Rivers in / through or touching California:
Pacific Ocean
Lake Tahoe
Sacramento River
Clear Lake
Major sports teams/venues/accomplishments:
National Football League San Francisco 49ers play games at Monster Park
Major Championships: Super Bowl Champions 1981, 1984, 1988, 1989, 1994
National Football League Oakland Raiders play games at McAfee Coliseum
Major Championships: Super Bowl Champions 1976, 1980, 1983
National Football League San Diego Chargers play games at Qualcomm Stadium
Major Championships: AFL Champions 1963 (before the Super Bowl was created)
Major League Baseball Los Angeles Dodgers play games at Dodger Stadium
Major Championships: World Series Champions 1955, 1959, 1963, 1965, 1981, 1988
National League Pennant Winners 1890, 1899, 1900, 1916, 1920, 1941, 1947, 1949, 1952, 1953, 1955, 1956, 1959, 1963, 1965, 1966, 1974, 1977, 1978, 1981, 1988
Major League Baseball Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim play games at Angel Stadium of Anaheim
Major Championships: World Series Champions 2002
Major League Baseball San Francisco Giants play games at AT&T Park
Major Championships: World Series Champions 1905, 1921, 1922, 1933, 1954
Major League Baseball San Diego Padres play games at Petco Park
Major Championships: National League Pennants 1998, 1984
Major League Baseball Oakland Athletics play games at McAfee Coliseum
Major Championships: World Series Champions 1910, 1911, 1913, 1929, 1930, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1989
National Basketball Association Los Angeles Lakers play games at the Staples Center
Major Championships: NBA League Champions 2002, 2001, 2000, 1988, 1987, 1985, 1982, 1980, 1972, 1954, 1953, 1952, 1950, 1949
National Basketball Association Los Angeles Clippers play games at the Staples Center
Major Championships: None
National Basketball Association Sacramento Kings play games at the ARCO Arena
Major Championships: League Champions 1951
National Basketball Association Golden State Warriors play games at Oracle Arena
Major Championships: League Champions 1975, 1956
National Hockey League Anaheim Ducks play games at the Honda Center
Major Championships: Stanley Cup Champions 2006-07
National Hockey League Los Angeles Kings play games at the Staples Center
Major Championships: Conference Champions 1992-93
National Hockey League San Jose Sharks play games at the HP Pavilion at San Jose
Major Championships: None
Main industry/ jobs:
Entertainment
Agriculture
Computers
Technology
Wine
Dairy
Fruits
Vegetables
Aerospace
Music
Mining
Oil
Healthcare:
California Care
Medi-Cal
Manufacturing Facilities:
Aerotek
Carrier Corporation
General Atomics
Sony Electronics
Solar Turbines
Goodrich Corporation
Teledyne Technologies
Cyber Coders Engineering
Davis Inotek Instruments
Major Natural Disasters:
April 18, 1906 – One of the biggest earthquakes in the history of California rumbles through the northern area of the state. It was felt from Oregon all the way down to Los Angeles and resulted in more than 700 deaths and the destruction of hundreds of buildings. It is still widely recognized as one of the worst earthquakes in the world and is often studied by scientists to get information about earthquakes
October 17, 1989 – The San Francisco Earthquake of 1989 is often referred to as one of the worst in the state as well. It collapsed freeways and killed hundreds of people. Since it is so recent, it is still fresh in the minds of Californians, especially those who live in San Francisco and the northern region of the state.
There have been several other earthquakes that have occurred in the state, but these are the two most devastating ones on record. In addition, California also has dozens of wildfires each year as a result of the heat and dry climate.
California Area codes:
209 213 310 323 408 415 424 510 530 559 562 619 626 650 661 707 714 760 805 818 831 858 909 916 925 949 951
Famous People Born in California:
Paula Abdul, TV personality
Ansel Adams, photographer
Jessica Alba, actress
Drew Barrymore, actress
Beck, musician
Bill Bixby, actor/director
Jack Black, actor
Barry Bonds, baseball player
Kevin Costner, actor
Les Claypool, musician
Cameron Diaz, actress
Leonardo DiCaprio, actor
Joe DiMaggio, baseball player
Clint Eastwood, actor/director
Will Ferrell, actor
Carrie Fisher, actress
Jodie Foster, actress
Robert Frost, poet
Jeff Gordon, NASCAR driver
Merv Griffin, TV personality
Josh Groban, musician
Sammy Hagar, singer
Mark Hamill, actor
MC Hammer, rapper
Tom Hanks, actor
Josh Hartnett, actor
Dustin Hoffman, actor
Helen Hunt, actress
Kate Hudson, actress
Angelina Jolie, actress
Steve Jobs, computer pioneer
Bruce Lee, martial arts expert
Jason Lee, actor
Huey Lewis, musician
Heather Locklear, actress
George Lucas, director
Marilyn Monroe, actress
Richard Nixon, former United States President
Sam Peckinpah, director
Michael Richards, actor
Sally Ride, astronaut
John Steinbeck, author
Tiger Woods, golfer
Population
1960 – 15,717,204
1970 – 19,953,134
1980 – 23,667,902
1990 – 29,760,021
2000 – 33,871,648
2005 – 35,819,822
Major cities & populations 2004:
1. Los Angeles – 3,844,829
2. San Diego – 1,255,540
3. San Jose – 912,332
4. San Francisco – 739,426v
5. Long Beach – 474, 014
6. Fresno – 461,116
7. Sacramento – 456,441
8. Oakland – 395,274
9. Santa Ana – 340,368
10. Anaheim – 331,804
Politics
Congress / House of Representatives:
Congressman Mike Thompson (Democrat)
Congressman Wally Herger (Republican)
Congressman Dan Lungren (Republican)
Congressman John T. Doolittle (Republican)
Congresswoman Doris Matsui (Democrat)
Congresswoman Lynn C. Woolsey (Democrat)
Congressman George Miller (Democrat)
Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi (Democrat)
Congresswoman Barbara Lee (Democrat)
Congresswoman Ellen O. Tauscher (Democrat)
Congressman Jerry McNerney (Democrat)
Congressman Tom Lantos (Democrat)
Congressman Fortney Pete Stark (Democrat)
Congresswoman Anna G. Eshoo (Democrat)
Congressman Michael M. Honda (Democrat)
Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren (Democrat)
Congressman Sam Farr (Democrat)
Congressman Dennis Cardoza (Democrat)
Congressman George P. Radanovich (Republican)
Congressman Jim Costa (Democrat)
Congressman Devin Nunes (Republican)
Congressman Kevin McCarthy (Republican)
Congresswoman Lois Capps (Democrat)
Congressman Elton Gallegly (Republican)
Congressman Howard P. McKeon (Republican)
Congressman David Dreier (Republican)
Congressman Brad Sherman (Democrat)
Congressman Howard L. Berman (Democrat)
Congressman Adam B. Schiff (Democrat)
Congressman Henry A. Waxman (Democrat)
Congressman Xavier Becerra (Democrat)
Congresswoman Hilda L. Solis (Democrat)
Congresswoman Diane Watson (Democrat)
Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard (Democrat)
Congresswoman Maxine Waters (Democrat)
Congresswoman Jan Herman (Democrat)
Congresswoman Juanita Millender-McDonald (Democrat)
Congresswoman Grace F. Napolitano (Democrat)
Congresswoman Linda T. Sanchez (Democrat)
Congressman Ed Royce (Republican)
Congressman Jerry Lewis (Republican)
Congressman Gary G. Miller (Republican)
Congressman Joe Baca (Democrat)
Congressman Ken Calvert (Republican)
Congresswoman Mary Bono (Republican)v
Congresswoman Dana Rohrabacher (Republican)
Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez (Democrat)
Congressman John Campbell (Republican)
Congressman Darrell Issa (Republican)
Congressman Brian Bilbray (Republican)
Congressman Bob Filner (Democrat)
Congressman Duncan Hunter (Republican)
Congresswoman Susan Davis (Democrat)
Governor: Arnold Schwarzenegger (Republican)
Senators: Dianne Feinstein (Democrat)
Barbara Boxer (Democrat)
House Prices, Wages, Taxes
State Sales Tax: Ranges from 7.25% to 8.75%
Income Tax: California has six different tax bracket with the highest rate being 9.3%
Median Home Values: 1940: $36,700
1950: $57,900
1960: $74,400
1970: $88,700
1980: $167,300
1990: $249,800
2000: $211,500
Number of People employed in the state: 18,170,300 people employed in California
Mean annual yearly income: 2005: $45,622
2000: $43,088
1990: $35,798
1980: $30,569
1970: $29,276
Tourism
Universal Studios
Magic Mountain
Disneyland
Golden Gate Bridge
Hollywood
Cache Creek
Lassen Applegate Trail
Lava Wilderness Study Area
Devil's Garden Mountain Bike Trail
Likely Mountain Challenge
Woodland Jurassic Mountain Bike Trailv
Pit River Recreation Area
Kings Range National Conservation Area
King Range National Conservation Areav
Crowley Lake Campground
Goodale Creek Campground
Horton Creek Campground
Tuttle Creek Campground
Cache Creek
Cedar Roughs
Cow Mountain Recreation Area
Fish Slough Area of Critical Environmental Concern
Molina Ghost Run Trail
Panoche/Tumey Hills
Fort Ord
Indian Valley Reservoir Recreation Area
Bizz Johnson National Recreation Trail
Dave Moore Nature Area
South Yuba Trail
Cosumnes River
Cosumnes River Preserve
Merced River
Merced River Recreation Area
Merced River Trail
Mokelumne River
North Fork of the American River
Red Hills Area of Critical Environmental Concern
South Fork of the American River
Squaw Leap Management Areav
Stevens Trail
Tuolumne River
South Yuba River
Clear Creek Management Area
Fort Ord
Douglas City Campground
Horseshoe Ranch
Sacramento River
Fandango Pass
High Rock Canyon
Surprise Valley National Scenic Byway
Caliente Mountains
Chimney Peak Byway
Keyesville
Pacific Crest National Recreation Trail, Owens Peak Segment
Carrizo Plain Natural Area
Calico Early Man Site
Dumont Dunes
El Mirage
Stoddard Valley
Salt Creek Historic Site
Juniper Flats
Big Morongo Canyon
Owens Peak Wilderness Area(Short Canyon)
Trona Pinnacles
Volcanic Tablelands
North Algodones Dunes Wilderness
Bradshaw Trail
Sylvania Mountains Wilderness
Sacatar Trail Wilderness
Piper Mountain Wilderness
Manly Peak Wilderness
Malpais Mesa Wilderness
Kivah Wilderness
Inyo Mountains Wilderness
Lonesome Minert Trail (Inyo Mountains Wilderness)
Grass Valley Wilderness
Golden Valley Wilderness
El Paso Wilderness
Domeland Wilderness
Darwin Falls Wilderness
Coso Range Wilderness
Chimney Peak Wilderness
Bright Star Wilderness
Argus Range Wilderness
Short Canyon
Sand Canyon
Indian Wells Canyon
Rademacher Hills Trail
Old News Stories Involving California
January 24, 1848 – The California Gold Rush begins with a discovery at Sutter’s Mill. News of this spread quickly throughout the country and resulted in more than 300,000 people making the journey to the area in hopes of finding gold and riches, too.1923-New Transcontinental Railroad Line Proposed
Plans for a new railroad line were introduced. If a new line were constructed it would be made up of the Denver, Rio Grande, Western Pacific, and Burlingeon. After this, Santa Fe was to have control of two cross-country lines.
February 15, 1934-Katherine May Recognized for her 500+ Thousand Miles in the Air
Katherine May was recognized for her 500,000 miles-and then some-in the air. She was a very busy airline stewardess whose photo was taken in San Francisco. This photo was displayed in an American newspaper.
April 17, 1940-Positive Cherry Production Report: Increase of 1939
A positive report about the production of cherries in California was generated. As of 1939, the demand for this crop was increasing-and still was by this time in 1940. California was known as one of the states that produced the best of this fruit.
November 22, 1953-Word Spread of Change in Turkey Leg Production
A light-hearted report was printed in a newspaper. This particular publication made it known that although their will be a decrease in the quantity of turkey legs (drumsticks) their will be an increase in the quality of them. The difference being that growers decided to engage in breeding with heavier-weight turkeys, versus the smaller varieties used for breeding in the past.
July 17, 1955 – The much-anticipated Disneyland opened to invited guests only. More than 30,000 guests showed up to participate in one of the largest theme parks in the world at the time. Although there were many mishaps that occurred at the park on that day, Disneyland remained open and is now one of the most popular attractions in the entire world.
1960s-Palo Alto Split
A large church split took place within The Church of the Redeemer located in Palo Alto, California. This church was lead by the Right Reverend James Albert Pike. The members of the Church of the Redeemer were all former members of the St. Mark’s Episcopal Church. The biggest cause of the Redeemer Church split was certain unorthodox beliefs that Right Reverend Pike proclaimed. For instance, he proclaimed doubts of the Trinity (three-in-one spiritual Godhead) and challenged the validity of the Virgin Birth of Jesus.
August 13, 1975-Bill Passed Regarding Food Product Pricing
According to a report out of Sacramento, a bill was passed requiring merchants to continue stamping prices on food. This action was made legally necessary by the Assembly Finance, Insurance, and Commerce Committee even though stores were starting to use computerized checkout equipment. Stores were against the action to make it mandatory to stamp prices on food. Retailers argued that they could save money if the cost of marking each individual food item was no longer required. Nevertheless, this food pricing bill was voted in on a count of 8-3.
August 17, 1988-Grape Safety Tests Defended by Government Officials
Food testing officials made a report in defense of current grape safety testing measures. According to these food testers, all the table grapes sold in California, Ohio, and Canada are up to standard. This fact had long been contested by the United Farm Workers Union, who had conducted a boycott that at this time was into its fourth year.
December 19, 1994-Orange County Financial Crisis
A financial crisis in Orange County, California was reported. A total of $1.5 billion municipal dollars were lost, funds of 185 school districts were frozen, and new city projects were put on hold. This entire county (and then some) was in bankruptcy state.
September 12, 2006-State Emissions Bill Passed
California passed a new emissions control bill. This piece of legislation became one of the most extensive of carbon dioxide fume regulation documents in the U.S.A. that was drafted into law. One aspect of this new legislation called for a 25 percent decrease of carbon dioxide emissions by the year 2020.
