California is a U.S. state spanning the southern half of the west coast. With a population of 37 million and an area of 158,402 square miles (410,000 km²), California is the largest U.S. state in population and the third largest in area.

The region was inhabited by Native Americans of Asian origin before European explorers started to make sporadic visitations during the 16th Century. California had the highest density and greatest diversity of indigenous peoples in what is now the United States. Spain colonized the coastal areas of the territory starting in 1769. As a result of the Mexican War of Independence, California became a part of the Mexican Republic in 1821. It was subsequently captured by the United States in the Mexican-American War (1846-1848) which was concluded with the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo. The California Gold Rush of 1848-1849 brought about 90,000 additional U.S. immigrants into the state, and California became the 31st state of the United States in 1850.

Although the state's sunny climate has given it a historic reputation for being laid back compared to the East Coast, the $1.55 trillion (as of 2005) California economy is larger than all but the top 7 national economies in the world ^* and is responsible for 13% of the United States' $13 trillion gross domestic product (GDP). The state's major predominant industries include agriculture, entertainment, light manufacturing, and tourism. California is also the home of several significant economic regions such as Hollywood (entertainment), the California Central Valley (agriculture), Silicon Valley (computers and high tech), and the Wine Country (wine).

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Los Angeles Times - Top News

UC regents approve 32% student fee hike
Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -0800
The decision was made with little debate after a lengthy committee discussion Wednesday. Thousands of students and labor union activists protested outside the meeting at UCLA. With the chants of protesters wafting into their meeting room and armed police standing guard, the University of California's Board of Regents approved a 32%, or $2,500, increase in undergraduate fees Thursday, but promised more financial aid to keep needy students from dropping out.
Winfrey to announce Friday that show will end in 2011
Thu, 19 Nov 2009 15:41:00 -0800
Oprah Winfrey's production company says Winfrey will announce Friday that her talk show will end in 2011 after its 25th season on the air.
California lawmakers, officials face 18% pay cut
Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -0800
Legislative leaders had challenged the authority of the state's independent pay commission after it voted to trim salaries. But Atty. Gen. Jerry Brown's opinion says the panel can cut compensation. California's Legislature went to state Atty. Gen. Jerry Brown recently seeking relief from a future pay cut and on Thursday received an unwelcome surprise: An 18% reduction for lawmakers and other elected state officials can begin next month instead of a year from now.

SFGate: Top News Stories

UC regents approve steep tuition hike
nasimov@sfchronicle.com (Nanette Asimov) Thu, 19 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -0800
The University of California regents voted Thursday to raise tuition by 32 percent as angry students pounded drums and blocked exits to the UCLA building where the regents were meeting. "I absolutely had to vote for this," said Assembly Speaker and Regent...
Bay Area not maverick enough to read Palin book
datebookletters@sfchronicle.com (Steve Rubenstein) Thu, 19 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -0800
It might as well have cooties. Hardly anyone wants to touch the thing, or even get close to it. The new autobiography by moose hunter and failed vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin is harder to find in the Bay Area than a hockey mom. Some bookstores...
Dems hope Palin disrupts GOP's game plan
cmarinucci@sfchronicle.com (Carla Marinucci) Thu, 19 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -0800
As GOP former vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin kicks off a national book tour this week, there are some unlikely voices cheering "You go, girl!" - hard-core Democrats and progressives who hope Palin's 15 minutes of fame lasts all the way to 2012. "She'...

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