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California: Quick Facts

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News •

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California's fifth consecutive Catholic governor exemplifies the faith's deep roots • Nov. 8, 2026, 7:16 AM ET (AP)
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Facts

Also Known As Golden State
Capital Sacramento
Population1 (2020) 39,538,223; (2025 est.) 39,355,309
Governor Gavin Newsom (Democrat)
Date Of Admission September 9, 1850
U.S. Senators Alex Padilla (Democrat) ā€¢ Adam Schiff (Democrat)
State Nickname Golden State
State Motto "Eureka (I Have Found It)"
State Bird California valley quail
State Flower California poppy
State Song "I Love You, California"
Seats In U.S. House Of Representatives 52 of (435)
Time Zone Pacific (GMT āˆ’ 8 hours)
Total Area (Sq Km) 423,967
Total Area (Sq Mi) 163,695
1Excluding military abroad.

Photos and Videos

California: flag
Seal of California
The state bird is the California valley quail.
The golden poppy is the state flower of California.
Physical map of California showing major geographic features such as mountain ranges, valleys, lakes, rivers, and national parks. The map highlights the Sierra Nevada, Central Valley, coastal ranges, and desert areas, as well as key water features like the Sacramento and San Joaquin rivers, Salton Sea, and Mono Lake. Insets provide detail on the San Francisco Bay Area and Los Angeles region. State and international boundaries are marked, with California's location in the United States shown in a
Steep, rugged cliffs of Big Sur, California, descend to the Pacific Ocean with mist rising along the dramatic coastline.
Map of the United States with California highlighted in orange on the west coast, showing its location relative to the rest of the country. The state capital, Sacramento, is marked with a dot and labeled. Surrounding geographic features include the Pacific Ocean to the west and neighboring states.
Death Valley
Los Angeles
Map of California showing major cities, state capital Sacramento, mountain ranges, valleys, deserts, and key physical features such as the Sierra Nevada, Central Valley, Mojave Desert, and coastal areas along the Pacific Ocean, with neighboring states and Mexico also indicated.
Discover the contrasting landscapes of California from Mount Whitney to Death Valley
Learn about California's dominance as an agricultural producer and about its reliance on immigrant laborers
A glimpse into California's gold rush towns
Explore the diverse geography and climates across the United States' Pacific Region
Wander through the mountains, across valleys, down rivers, and along the coasts of the U.S. Pacific region
See All Videos, Images and Interactives →

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