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

Fannie, Freddie takeover possible
Sat, 06 Sep 2008 00:00:00 -0700
Paulson discusses a rescue plan with the mortgage giants' chiefs, who may have to step down, sources say. Treasury Secretary Henry M. Paulson Jr. called in top executives of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac late Friday to hammer out details of a rescue plan for the troubled mortgage giants that could go so far as a full government takeover, according to people familiar with the effort.
U.S. unemployment rate hits 6.1%, highest level in five years
Sat, 06 Sep 2008 00:00:00 -0700
Employers slashed 84,000 jobs in August, steeper cuts than analysts expected. The economy shoved its way to the front of the presidential campaign once again, as the nation's jobless rate shot to a five-year high -- escalating fears that the country is spiraling into a full recession.
U.S. needs more troops in Afghanistan, commander says
Fri, 05 Sep 2008 22:33:00 -0700
But with Petraeus set to recommend slowing the drawdown in Iraq, more forces are unlikely to be available soon to deal with rising bloodshed. A top commander of U.S. forces in Afghanistan said Friday that he needed thousands of additional troops to combat violence along the border with Pakistan, a requirement that appears to be at odds with recommendations from Army Gen. David H. Petraeus on future troop levels in Iraq.

SFGate: Top News Stories

Hanna rakes Carolinas with rain, wind, some floods
By WHITNEY WOODWARD, Associated Press Writer Sat, 06 Sep 2008 07:14:44 -0700
Tropical Storm Hanna blew hard and dumped rain in eastern North Carolina and Virginia Saturday, but caused little damage beyond isolated flooding and power outages as it quickly headed north toward New England. Hanna sailed easily over the beaches of...
Government may soon back troubled mortgage giants
By ALAN ZIBEL, AP Business Writer Sat, 06 Sep 2008 05:39:02 -0700
The government is expected to take over Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac as soon as this weekend in a monumental move designed to protect the mortgage market from the failure of the two companies, which together hold or guarantee half of the nation's mortgage debt,...
FDA posts list of potential problem drugs
By RICARDO ALONSO-ZALDIVAR, Associated Press Writer Sat, 06 Sep 2008 03:42:18 -0700
The government on Friday began posting a list of prescription drugs under investigation for potential safety problems in an effort to better inform doctors and patients. The first list is a bare-bones compilation naming 20 medications and the potential issue...

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