CALIFORNIA FROM A-Z

Eureka! - I have found it!

Facts about California for each letter of the alphabet.

• AGRICULTURE thrives in California because of its favorable climate, fertile soil, diverse land resources, and progressive farmers. Fresno County is the top ranking agricultural county in the country. The state is first in the growing of many fruits and vegetables. Salinas is called the "Salad Bowl of the World". The State Soil is San Joaquin. California has 4-H Programs and chapters of Future Farmers of America. The Farm Service Agency has agriculture information, games, and coloring pages. More turkeys are raised in California than in any other state. The National Agriculture Statistic Service and AG in the Classroom have agriculture information for kids.

• The Society of California ARCHAEOLOGY provides information about research on archeological projects. The state has many archeological sites including a Native American Village occupied 4,000 years ago. The coast of California is littered with shipwrecks. The Early Man Site in Calico is an archeological dig where ancient stone tools have been found. The Minerals Management Service provides information about California history and marine archaeology.

• California has nearly a thousand miles of BEACHES, and the coastline is divided into geographic segments. There are differences between Northern California beaches and Southern California beaches. The beaches are inhabited by a variety of invertebrates and insects.

• California is home to over 600 species of BIRDS. The California Quail is the State Bird. The Golden Gate Raptor Observatory tracks the annual flight of birds known as "raptors". The San Francisco Bay Bird Observatory is dedicated to the conservation of birds and their habitats. The Point Reyes Bird Observatory promotes the conservation of birds and their environment. The California Condor is the largest flying land bird in North America. The Wild Bird Center in Indio treats injured birds and other creatures. Klamath Basin National Wildlife Refuge has the largest winter population of bald eagles in the continental United States. California has many Birding Hotspots

• California has over 2400 BRIDGES that are maintained by CalTrans. There are many Historic Bridges, Covered Bridges, and Bridge Designs. California has over 50 Suspension bridges. The Golden Gate Bridge opened in 1937 and was so named for being the gateway to the Golden State.

• California has many Scenic Byways and Roadside Attractions. The Big Sur Highway is an All-America Road. The state also has a variety of trails including Horse Trails. There are also 2 Birding Trails - Central Coast and Eastern Sierra. California participates in National Trails Day.

• Sacrament is the state CAPITAL. It was the end of the line for pony express riders and is the home of the California State Fair. The Coachella Valley is nicknamed the Date Capital of the World, Castroville is known as the Artichoke Capital of the World, Gilroy is called the Garlic Capital of the World, and Fallbrook is known as the Avocado Capital of the world. San Franciso is called the Burrito Capital.

• California has all forms of COMMUNICATION including newspapers, magazines, radio, and television. The state has many telephone area codes. Most businesses and schools are connected to the internet and Internet Service Providers are located throughout the state. Webcams are located throughout California.

• California has 58 COUNTIES. San Bernardino is the largest county in California (and the country) and San Franciso is the smallest. Los Angeles is the largest county in California by population and Alpine is the smallest. Los Angeles is the largest city in the state. The smallest city in the state and possibly the country is Sierra City. Silicon Valley in Santa Clara County has several thousand technology companies. The term "county" is used in 48 of the 50 states for the level of government below the state itself.

• California has hundreds of DAMS, and a major source of electricity is provided by hydroelectric power. The largest hydro dams include Oroville, the highest dam in the country, and Shasta which has the highest spillway in the world. San Francisco Bay is the largest landlocked harbor in the world. California has a Dam Safety Program and participates in National Dam Safety Awareness Day. Other forms of energy in the state include Wind Power, Geothermal Power, and Solar Power.

• California has a variety of DANCE studios and societies. Square dancing is the State Folk Dance and West Coast Swing Dancing is the State Dance.

• Few DINOSAURS have been found in California because it was under water at the time that they lived. However, fossils of marine animals and large vertebrates have been discovered. The Museum of Natural History of Sierra College has a Dig Dinosaur Day. The Natural History Museum and the Page Museum have exhibits of dinosaurs and other fossils.

• California has a history of significant EARTHQUAIKES. The California Geological Survey provides information about Earthquakes in the state. Parkefield is one of the most seismically active areas in the world. The San Andreas fault is the most famous fault in the world. Since 1932, Southern California has experienced many earthquakes greater than 4.5. The USGS has a special page for kids about earthquakes

• California provides free public EDUCATION to anyone between the ages 6 and 18. The Office of the Secretary for Education is responsible for advising and making policy recommendations to the Governor on Education issues in California. The state has more elementary and secondary students than any other state. The California Department of Education oversees teaching, learning, and technology. Before California became a territory, at least 1 school was established. Just for the Kids provides information on academic performance and best practices studies in California. Information about schools in the state is available at GreatSchools and SchoolBug.

• California has a wide variety of EVENTS during the year and many types of Entertainment. There are 38 State and County Fairs San Francisco has a wide variety of events, parades, festivals, and celebrations, and the Chinese New Year Celebration is the biggest in the country. The largest 3-day Rodeo in the country is held in Red Bluff.The state observes fixed public holidays and other special days.

• The State FLAG of California evolved from previous flags. The Grizzly Bear is the State Animal and is on the State Flag and State Seal. Many counties have their own flag and some cities have a flag. Blue and gold are the official colors of California. Four flags have flown over California - Russia, Spain, Mexico, and the United states. Several counties and cities have a flag. Several Native American tribes have their own flag including The Barona Band of Diegueno, The Big Pine Paiute of Owens Valley, The Bishop Paiute of Owens Valley, The Cabazon Band of Mission Indians, and The California Inter-tribal Council

• The Spanish introduced a variety of FOOD from Mexico. The colonists supplemented their food with some of the same types of game hunted by the Native Americans. Food Banks are located throughout the state. California has many Food Shows, Festivals, and Events.

• California has eighteen National FORESTS. More than half of the sequoia trees in the world are found in the Sequoia National Forest. This tree is the largest living thing in the world.The Hans Jenny Pygmy Forest Reserve has an elfin forest of pygmy cypress, evergreen shrubs, and the Bishop Pine the oldest living thing on earth. The El Moro Elfin Forest in San Luis Obispo County is home to several species of rare plants. The California Palm is the only indigenous palm in North America.

• California has a great variety of FOSSILS. The George C. Page Museum is adjacent to the La Brea Tar Pits.The Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County has more than 33 million specimens, artifacts, and objects in its collection. The Buena Vista Museum of Natural History displays fossils found in Kern County. The Petrified Forest near Calistoga is one of the finest examples of a pliocene fossil forest in the world. The Sabertoothed cat is the State Fossil. The State Prehistoric Artifact is the Chipped Stone Bear.

• The GEOLOGY of California is varied. The state has all minerals known to mankind, and more minerals are mined in California than any other state. The US Geological Survey provides information about California and has been mapping the geology of the state. Gold was discovered at Sutters Mill in 1848, and gold is the state mineral. The water in California is sometimes called liquid gold. The State rock is Serpentine. The California Mining and Mineral Museum has special exhibits. The Bureau of Land Management oversees minerals produced on public lands. Calistoga is famous for its hot mineral spring and mud baths. San Benito County is famous for benitoite, natrolite, neptunite, and joaquinite, and Benitoite is the state gem. San Diego County produces one-of-a-kind tourmaline, quartz, lepidolite, and a whole assortment of rare minerals.

• GHOST TOWNS are found in Northern and Southern California. Calico Ghost Town is one of the few remaining original mining towns in the western part of the country and it has special events throughout the year. Darwin has lots of old buildings. Bodie State Historic Park is a gold-mining ghost town.

• The GLOBAL POSTION of California is approximately 41 degrees latitude north and 124 degrees longitude west. California is located on the west coast of the United States and has nearly every kind of landform that can be found in the country. NOAA provides information about the Topography of California. The lowest place in the country is in Death Vally National Park, and Mt. Whitney, the highest peak in the lower 48 states, is nearby. Geocaching is an adventure game using a Global Positioning System, and California has many geocaches.

• California has many HISTORIC SITES. The National Trust has projects, programs and partnerships to help protect historic places in the state. The San Francisco Cable Cars are the only mobile National Monuments in the country.

• The HISTORY of California dates back 12,000 years. Much of the recorded history of California began with the Spanish Missions. first mission was founded in San Diego by Junipero Sera and Gaspar de Potola. Much of the work on the missions was done by Native Americans. The missions had unique music. The California Historical Society has an online guide to over 300 years of California history. History Day in California is sponsored in conjunction with National History Day.

• HOLLYWOOD is known as the movie capital of the world. The Hollywood sign is a symbol of the movie industry. The Hollywood Bowl is the largest outdoor amphitheater in the world. Universal Studios is in Hollywood and has tours, a park, and games. The Hollywood Wax Museum has life-sized was figures of film stars. Hollywood Park is wellknown for horse racing.

• California has many INDUSTRIES including agriculture, motion-pictures, television, and related entertainment industries. The state offers several Industry and Factory Tours, and Trade Shows are held throughout the year.

• California is home to over 30,000 species of INSECTS.The State Insect is the Dogfaced Butterfly. The Orange-Tip Butterfly lives only on Catalina Island. The Exploring California Insects Program identifies insects. The state has a number of stinging and venomous insects and many insects are endangered.

• California has over 50 ISLANDS both off the coast and inland. Paoha and Negit Islands are in Mono Lake. Alcatraz Island was a federal prison. Santa Cruz Island is the largest of the Channel Islands National Park. Bethel Island is in the heart of the Delta. Treasure Island is an artificial island. Angel Island is a former immigration station. North Island is home to a Naval Base Coronado.

J IS FOR JAZZ

• The California Institute for the Preservation of JAZZ is dedicated to the preservation of jazz. The San Francisco Jazz festival is held in the fall, and a jazz festivial is held at Big Sur.

K IS FOR KARST, KELP, & KIDS

• California has KARST areas, caves, caverns, and grottos. The Karst Waters Institute provides information about karst water systems. Subway Cave was formed out of lava. Mercer Caverns is the longest continuously operated commercial cave in the state. California Caverns claims to be the most extensive system of caverns and passageways in the Mother Lode region of California. California has carbonate-rock aquifers. The National Parks System has a Cave and Karst Program.

• California is one of the few places in the world that has underwater KELP forests. A large variety of animals live in kelp forests.

• Many aspects of life in California focus on KIDS, and the state has a Kids Korner. Information is available for water safety and energy. U.S. Senator/California Barbara Boxer has a webpage for kids. The California Healthy Kids Program provides access to school health laws and reviews health educational instructional material. The Department of Transportation has a Kids Page. The California State Assembly has information for kids of all ages. The California Department of Food & Agriculture has a Kids Page. The Farm Service Agency has coloring pages for kids. The California Geological Survey has a Kids GeoZone.

• California has 200 major LAKES and hundreds of smaller lakes. Crater Lake is the deepest lake in the country. The Salton Sea is the largest lake in California.

• Public and Academic LIBRARIES are located throughout California. Most schools have a library. The State Library was established in 1850. The Richard Nixon Library is in Yorba Linda, and Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum is in Simi Valley.

• There are many LIGHTHOUSES including 1 on Lake Tahoe. Many were automated and the keepers home abandoned. East Brother Light Station is now a bed and breakfast, Pigeon Point Lighthouse and Point Montara are hostels, and Point Arena Lighthouse has a museum and some Keeper's homes for rent. The most important aspect of a lighthouse is the light that comes from the tower.

• California has the largest number of MILITARY installations in the country including 36 major and 25 minor facilities, U.S. Department of Defense laboratories, and testing facilities. The Army Corps of Engineers has project in California and 3 Districts - San Francisco, Sacramento, and Los Angeles. The Castle Air Museum in Atwater has the largest display of military aircraft in the state. An Aerospace Museum is in San Diego. California has Army and Air National Guard Units.

• California has many MOUNTAINS and mountain ranges. Mount Whitney is the highest peak in the lower 48 states. In the northwest corner of the state are the Klamath Mountains. The Coastal Ranges in the north reach inland 20 to 30 miles extend from the Klamath Mountains in the north south to Santa Barbara. The Coastal Ranges include many smaller chains of mountain ranges including the Diablo and Santa Cruz Mountains. The Sierra Nevada mountain range in the east runs about 430 miles from north to south and forming a giant wall rising to over 14,000 feet. The Cascade Mountains extend north from the Sierra Nevada mountain range. The Basin and Range Province contain the southeastern deserts of California. Oregon, and other states.

• A variety of MUSIC can be heard throughout California. The West Coast Ragtime Festival is held in Sacramento. There are Opera Companies throughout the state. The Lawrence Welk Museum is in Escondido. The California Consolidated Drum Band is the official State Fife and Drum Corps. "I Love You California" is the state song.

• California has many MUSEUMS including the J. Paul Getty Museum and the Exploratorium which is an environmental museum of science. The California State Railroad Museum is the largest museum of its kind in North America. The Daggett Museum displays artifacts from the discovery of silver in Calico.

• The NAME California developed from Califia, a mythical paradise in a Spanish novel written in 1510. The official nickname of California is The Golden State because of the discovery of gold and the fields of golden poppies, the state flower. It is also known as The Land of Milk and Honey, The El Dorado State, and The Grape State. San Francisco was named for St. Francis of Assisi and is known as The Queen of the Pacific.

• NATIVE AMERICANS were the first people to live in California and the state has several Federally recognized tribes, reservations, and rancherias. The newest National Monument is a section of land in Southern California where a band of Cahuilla Indians live.

• California has many OBSERVATORIES. The Griffith Observatory is a major tourist attraction in Southern California. The Owens Valley Radio Observatory is the largest university-operated radio observatory in the world. Natural resources and seismographic studies are done at the Leuschner Observatory. The Foothill Observatory has weekly public programs. Much of the understanding of the universe came from research done at the Mt. Wilson Observatory. The Lick Observatory supports research and training of astronauts. The Palomar Observatory is a public site. The San Fernando Observatory plays an important role in solar astronomy. The Wilcox Solar Obsrvatory observes the sun's global magnetic field. The Big Bear Solar Observatory observes light images of the sun. Astronomy Day originated in California.

• California is bordered on the west by the Pacific Ocean. Three kinds of ocean energy are being explored - tidal power, wave power & ocean thermal energy. Find out why the Ocean is Salty. The Mineral Management Services regulates and manages the development of minerals off the coast of California including oil and gas seepage.

• OIL is one of the most valuable minerals in California. The first oil well was dug in 1861. The Department of Conservation has information, games, and other activities about oil, gas, and geothermal resources in California. There are natural oil and gas seeps in the state. The Kern County Museum has an exhibit of black gold which is another name for oil.

• 
  The Tournament of Roses PARADE in Pasadena has been held each New Year's Day for over a hundred years. A football game is included in the festivities and is called the Rose Bowl Game. Several Super Bowl Games have been played in the Rose Bowl.

• California has over 1,000 PARKS including National Parks, State Parks , and Theme Parks. YOSEMITE is one of the oldest National Parks in the country. Golden Gate National Recreation Area is the largest National Park in a city setting in the world. Knott's Berry Farm was the first theme park in the country. SeaWorld Adventure Park has a webcam of Shamu. California also has some unusual attractions.

• California has a population of nearly 35,000 PEOPLE - more than any other state and reflects the greatest ethnic diversity in the country. The first European explorers were Juan Cabrillo and Sir Francis Drake. The Russians built Fort Ross in San Francisco. Much of the work of separating California from Mexico was done by John C. Fremont. The largest Chinese community in the country is in California. Many famous people were born in California including Richard M. Nixon, the 37th president of the United States. The world's biggest man lived in California. California was the first state to appoint a Poet Laureate

• The United States Mint issued a QUARTER for each state in the order that it became part of the Union. California became a State on September 9, 1850 and a quarter was issued for it in the year 2005. The U.S. Mint has a special Kids Page

• QUILTING is popular in California. There are many Quilt Guilds and Shows throughout the state. California also has Weaving & Spinning Associations.

• Take a QUIZ about California. Take a quiz about Disneyland

• California has a variety of REPTILES including frogs, salamanders, turtles, lizards, and snakes. Several of the snakes are poisonous and the gila monster is one of 2 species of venous lizards. The State Reptile is the desert tortoise.

• California has thousands of miles of RIVERS and streams including many wild and scenic rivers. Two of the largest water systems are the Sacramento River and the San Joajuin River. Many rivers in the state are preserved by Federal and State law. Coastal streams and rivers flow through the canyons and valleys of coastal mountains. The state fish is the golden trout. There are many steelhead rivers. Fishing is a popular activity. The state has 2 National Fish Hatcheries - Coleman and Livingston Stone. Water has been a vital but scarce natural resource in the state.

• The coast of California has a wide variety of SEA LIFE including sea lions, green sea turtles, and whales. The State Marine Mammal is the California Gray Whale. California has several Marine Life Refuges and 4 National Marine Sanctuaries. The state has 2 International Biosphere Reserves - Central California Coast and Channel Islands. Deep Sea Fishing is a popular activity. The Marine Region of the California Department of Fish & Game is responsible for protecting and managing marine resources in the state.

• California has many SPORTS and recreactions including some that are unique. The state has more professional sports teams than any other state. Both summer and winter Olympic Games have been held in California. The state has over 1,000 golf courses - both public & private. There are hundreds of racetracks including horse racing and car raceways.

• The pattern and colors of the State TARTAN are based on the family tartan of John Muir, naturalist, explorer, and conservationist. Scottish festivals, Fairs, and Highland Games are held throughout the state during the year. The Clan Cameron sponsors many events. There is an Irish Fair in Pomona. New College of California has an Irish Studies Program. Encino has the biggest Irish Festival in the western U.S., and San Diego has a St. Patrick's Day festival.

• California has all forms of TRANSPORTATION.The California Department of Transportation is responsible for planning, designing, building, operating, and maintaining highways in the state. They also oversee rail and transit. The state has an Adopt-a-Highway Program and participates in the Wildlife Protection Program to help wildlife along roads. The Federal Highway Administration provides information about traffic and road closures in the state. License plates have been issued since 1910 and a variety of personalized plates are available. Three Indian Tribes have their own license plates. To celebrate its 50th birthday in 2002 Matchbox cars issued a car for each state in the order in which it was admitted into the Union. The car for California was the 55 Chevrolet Bel Air.

• The state TREE is the redwood and the tallest tree in the world is in Redwood National Park. Inyo National Forest is home to the Bristle Cone Pine Tree, the oldest living species. The California Register of Big Trees maintains records for the largest species of native and naturalized trees in the state.

• California has many private and public UNIVERSITIES and colleges and enrollment is the highest in the country. The University of California heads the state-supported institutions of higher learning including UCLA one of the top research universities in the country and UC Berkeley which has several Nobel prize winners on the faculty. The state system has twenty-three campuses. The California Community Colleges is the largest college system in the world. Private universities include Stanford, CalTech, and USC.

• Six ships have been named USS CALIFORNIA. The 1st ship was a screw sloop originally named Minnetoka. The 3rd and 4th USS California both served in World War I. The 5th ship was the BB-44 USS California which received 7 battle stars for World War II service. The 6th ship was the USS California DLGN-36/CGN-36 which was the last nuclear-powered guided missile cruiser.

• California has nearly every kind of VEGETATION that can be found in the country. The state is part of the USGS-NPS Vegetation Mapping Program. The California Native Plant Society increases the appreciation of California's native plants.

• California has many VOLCANOES and is part of the Ring of Fire. All 4 types of volcanoes are found in Lassen Volcanic National Park. The Long Valley caldera and the Mono-Inyo Craters volcanic field have had the most recent activity. Mt. Shasta volcano has erupted on average once every 800 years. Pinnacles National Monument has rock formations that are part of the remains of a volcano that lies to the southeast. The Ubehebe Craters include over a dozen maar volcanoes. Malapai Hill is an exhumed basal plug. Amboy Crater and the Cima Volcanic Range are in the Mojave Desert.

• California has nearly every kind of weather. The Environmental Protection Agency provides information about natural disasters and weather emergencies. NOAA provides weather information and activities.

• California is a haven for WILDLIFE and has nearly every kind of wildlife that can be found in the country. The state has over 200 endangered species and nearly 2 dozen Wildlife Refuges. The California Wildlife Center rescues and rehabilitates native wildlife. The Lindsay Wildlife Museum is a wildlife rehabilitation and educational center. The California Wildlife Federation promotes wise use of all natural resources. The Big Horn Institute is dedicated to the conservation of the world's wild sheep. The Grizzly Bear is the official State Animal.

• XMAS is the abbreviation for Christmas which is celebrated in California much as it is in the rest of the country and around the world. The California Christmas Tree Association has information about live Christmas trees. In 1926 President Coolidge proclaimed the General Grant tree to be the Nation's Christmas tree.

• YMCA organizations are located throughout California. The California YMCA Youth and Government is a state-wide educational program working with youth. It provides information about events, programs, staff, and history.

• California has YOUTH HOSTELS throughout the state. The Youth Hostel at Pigeon Point Lighthouse is located in the restored lighthouse keepers housing. There are several hostels in the Los Angeles area. California also has Elder Hostels/

• The use of postal ZIPCODES began in 1963. Zipcodes in California start with the number 9. The mailing code is CA. Bird's Landing in Central California is the smallest town in the country with a post office.

• California is in the Pacific Time ZONE. According to the United States Department of Agriculture, the state has about 7 vegetation zones.

• California has many ZOOS, animal attractions, and aquariums. The San Diego Zoo is world famous. The Chaffee Zoological Gardens features a bird show and the Los Angeles Zoo has a red ape rainforest. The Feline Conservation Center is dedicated to the protection and conservation of endangered felines.The Monterey Bay National Marine sanctuary is one of the largest protected marine areas in the world. Underwater World is the first underwater aquarium in the country.

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