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==History==

==History==

California's first European contact came in the 16th century AD. Spanish explorer and conquistador Hernando Cortez explored Alta California (upper California) extensively during this time period. Several years after this, Juan Rodrigeuz Cabrillo explored the area in his search for a passage to Asia. <ref>http://www.kindredtrails.com/California-History-1.html</ref> The Catholic church established a strong presence in the area over the next 200 years by establishing a number of missions in the area. <ref>http://www.californiamissions.com/cahistory/background.html</ref>

California's first European contact came in the 16th century AD. Spanish explorer and conquistador [[Hernando Cortez]] explored Alta California (upper California) extensively during this time period. Several years after this, [[Juan Rodrigeuz Cabrillo]] explored the area in his search for a passage to Asia. <ref>http://www.kindredtrails.com/California-History-1.html</ref> The Catholic church established a strong presence in the area over the next 200 years by establishing a number of missions in the area. <ref>http://www.californiamissions.com/cahistory/background.html</ref>

==Miscellaneous facts==

==Miscellaneous facts==

==Politics==

==Politics==

California's governor is the liberal Republican [[Arnold Schwarzenegger]]. This is the same position that was once held by [[Ronald Reagan]], who later became President of the United States.  Today, however, California is thought of as one of the most [[liberal]] states in America{{fact}}, and is considered to be a [[blue state]]. [[Richard Nixon]] is, however, the only President to have been born in California.

California's governor is the liberal Republican [[Arnold Schwarzenegger]]. This is the same position that was once held by [[Ronald Reagan]], who later became [[President of the United States]].  Today, however, California is thought of as one of the most [[liberal]] states in America{{fact}}, and is considered to be a [[blue state]]. [[Richard Nixon]] is, however, the only President to have been born in California.

==Spectator Sports==

==Spectator Sports==

California has more professional sports teams than any other state. Its [[NBA]] franchises include the Los Angeles Lakers, Los Angeles Clippers, Golden State Warriors, and Sacramento Kings. Its NHL franchises include the Anaheim Ducks, Los Angeles Kings and San Jose Sharks. In the [[NFL]], the Oakland Raiders, San Francisco 49ers, and San Diego Chargers call California home. California Major League Baseball franchises are the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, San Diego Padres, Oakland Athletics, and San Francisco Giants. In college sports, UCLA and USC have recently had great success, in basketball and football respectively.

California has more professional sports teams than any other state. Its [[NBA]] franchises include the [[Los Angeles Lakers]], [[Los Angeles Clippers]], [[Golden State Warriors]], and [[Sacramento Kings]]. Its [[NHL]] franchises include the [[Anaheim Ducks]], [[Los Angeles Kings]] and [[San Jose Sharks]]. In the [[NFL]], the [[Oakland Raiders]], [[San Francisco 49ers]], and [[San Diego Chargers]] call California home. California Major League Baseball franchises are the [[Los Angeles Angels]] of Anaheim, [[San Diego Padres]], [[Oakland Athletics]], and [[San Francisco Giants]]. In college sports, [[UCLA]] and [[USC]] have recently had great success, in basketball and football respectively.

==Education==

==Education==

The state of California has three tiers of public higher education: the California community colleges, the [[California State University]] (CSU) system, and the [[University of California]] (UC) system.

The state of California has three tiers of public higher education: the California community colleges, the [[California State University]] (CSU) system, and the [[University of California]] (UC) system.

==Statewide officials==  

==Statewide officials==