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[[Image:California_State_Flag.gif|thumb|right|The state flag of California.]]

[[Image:California_State_Flag.gif|thumb|right|The state flag of California.]]

'''California''', known as the Golden State, is a state on the west coast of the [[United States]]. It is the largest state in population and the forth largest state in area. Its governor is [[Arnold Schwarzenegger]].

'''California''', known as the Golden State, is a state on the west coast of the [[United States]]. It is the largest state in population and the third largest state in area. Its governor is [[Arnold Schwarzenegger]].

==History==

==History==

California's first European contact came in the 15th century AD. Spanish explorer and conquistador [[Hernando Cortez]] explored Alta California (upper California) extensively during this time period. Several years after this, [[Juan Rodriguez 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 Rodriguez 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==

*The capital of California is [[Sacramento]]. However, the largest cities in population are, respectively, Los Angeles, San Diego, and San Jose.

*The capital of California is [[Sacramento]]. However, the largest cities in population are, respectively, Los Angeles, San Diego, and San Jose.

*Los Angeles hosted the Summer Olympics in 1928 and 1988.

*Los Angeles hosted the Summer Olympics in 1932 and 1984.

*The California Redwood was named the official state tree in 1927. <ref>http://www.learncalifornia.org/doc.asp?id=678</ref>

*The California Redwood was named the official state tree in 1937. <ref>http://www.learncalifornia.org/doc.asp?id=678</ref>

*California's San Bernardino County is the largest county by area in the United States. <ref>http://www.50states.com/facts/calif.htm</ref>

*California's San Bernardino County is the largest county by area in the United States. <ref>http://www.50states.com/facts/calif.htm</ref>