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

Obama and McCain in a statistical tie
Wed, 20 Aug 2008 00:00:00 -0700
A Times/Bloomberg poll finds that Obama shows few signs of winning new voters. The issue of experience goes McCain's way. John McCain has begun rallying dispirited Republicans behind him, while Democratic rival Barack Obama has made scant progress building new support, leaving the presidential race statistically tied, according to a new Los Angeles Times/Bloomberg poll.
In announcing a running mate, timing and place are key
Wed, 20 Aug 2008 00:00:00 -0700
For McCain and Obama, the choice of when and where to announce their vice presidential picks can maximize publicity and minimize potential problems at their conventions. As Barack Obama and John McCain edge closer to naming their vice presidential picks, they have an important consideration to weigh beyond questions of credentials and compatibility: when and where to announce their choices.
Obama ratchets up negative advertising
Wed, 20 Aug 2008 00:00:00 -0700
In a departure for his campaign, TV and radio spots critical of rival John McCain are airing in battleground states. Sen. Barack Obama, under persistent attack from his Republican rival, is intensifying his own negative ad campaign targeting Sen. John McCain in key battleground states.

SFGate: Top News Stories

Tropical Storm Fay stays on Florida's coast
By RON WORD and RUSS BYNUM, Associated Press Writers Wed, 20 Aug 2008 03:54:10 -0700
Tropical Storm Fay continued its erratic path Wednesday, moving north along the Florida coast but not going out over the Atlantic Ocean, where many had feared it could strengthen and curve back toward the state as a hurricane. Meanwhile, as Florida and...
Food aid sent in to suffering Georgian area
By CHRISTOPHER TORCHIA, Associated Press Writer Wed, 20 Aug 2008 02:23:27 -0700
A convoy of badly needed food aid for beleaguered Georgians rumbled through a Russian checkpoint Wednesday, waved through by soldiers who themselves showed no signs of fulfilling their president's promise of a pullback within two days. The Igoeti checkpoint...
Highway 92 near Half Moon Bay reopens after grass fire is doused
hlee@sfchronicle.com (Henry K. Lee) Wed, 20 Aug 2008 00:07:09 -0700
Highway 92 east of Half Moon Bay has reopened in both directions, but there is still heavy traffic in the area as firefighters mop up a grass fire, authorities said. The fire was reported about 1:45 p.m. west of Highway 35 in unincorporated San Mateo County....

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