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

Defiant Sarah Palin comes out swinging
Thu, 04 Sep 2008 00:00:00 -0700
John McCain's running mate shakes off controversy and mocks Barack Obama in her introduction to the nation. Sarah Palin , who vaulted from obscurity to controversy as the Republican candidate for vice president, cast herself Wednesday night as a reformer and a fighter, gleefully tearing into Democrat Barack Obama .
The imperfect hero
Thu, 04 Sep 2008 00:00:00 -0700
A code of honor guides McCain, yet he readily admits to breaking it. On a humid summer morning, the Straight Talk Express is rolling along, en route from a town-hall meeting in Albuquerque to a private airstrip where a newly refurbished plane, also dubbed the Straight Talk Express, awaits.
New Orleans gets its people back
Wed, 03 Sep 2008 22:43:00 -0700
Roadblocks are lifted and residents stream back into many neighborhoods. Power service remains spotty. Mayor C. Ray Nagin says he's concerned that it's too soon. It was people this time, not water, that poured into the streets of the storm-tossed city.

SFGate: Top News Stories

Detroit mayor expected to make plea in court
By COREY WILLIAMS and ED WHITE, Associated Press Writers Thu, 04 Sep 2008 06:54:12 -0700
Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick, his lawyers and the Wayne County prosecutor have appeared briefly in court before going behind closed doors, leading to speculation a plea deal is imminent in the mayor's criminal case. The prosecutor's office has charged...
Hanna takes aim at Bahamas, Ike next in line
By MIKE MELIA, Associated Press Writer Thu, 04 Sep 2008 06:07:08 -0700
Tropical Storm Hanna roared along the edge of the Bahamas on Thursday ahead of a possible hurricane hit on the Carolinas, leaving behind at least 61 dead in Haiti. Hurricane Ike, a still-more dangerous Category 4 storm, was advancing from the east. Hanna was...
New Orleans residents returning home after Gustav
By MARY FOSTER and MELINDA DESLATTE, Associated Press Writers Thu, 04 Sep 2008 03:40:42 -0700
City and state officials tried to hold them off, but New Orleans residents would have none of it. After Hurricane Gustav brushed by the city, they wanted back in, and now. So Mayor Ray Nagin relented and allowed the first of them to begin streaming in from...

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