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

McCain vows own kind of change
Fri, 05 Sep 2008 00:00:00 -0700
GOP nominee says he will look past party labels for the good of the nation. John McCain launched his final drive for the White House on Thursday night by stepping away from President Bush and toward the political center, vowing to forge a government focused on problem-solving rather than party labels.
Jobless rate jumps to 5-year high of 6.1 percent
Fri, 05 Sep 2008 07:27:00 -0700
The nation's unemployment rate zoomed to a five-year high of 6.1 percent in August as employers slashed 84,000 jobs, dramatic proof of the mounting damage a deeply troubled economy is inflicting on workers and businesses alike.
Only 48% of California high schools meet federal standards, even with easier measure
Fri, 05 Sep 2008 00:00:00 -0700
New results show about 300 of the schools met the goals only because their marks were based on the exit exam, much less demanding than tests that help determine the state Academic Performance Index. Hundreds of California high schools met this year's federal academic targets released Thursday only because the state uses easier standards for high schools than for elementary and middle schools, a Times analysis has found.

SFGate: Top News Stories

Two men shot and killed in Potrero Hill
hlee@sfchronicle.com (Henry K. Lee) Fri, 05 Sep 2008 07:33:16 -0700
Two men were shot and killed in San Francisco's Potrero Hill, in the latest spate of violence in the area, police said today. The shooting happened at about 9:45 p.m. Thursday at 24th and Utah streets, where three people were hit by gunfire. Two victims...
Jobless rate jumps to 5-year high of 6.1 percent
By JEANNINE AVERSA, AP Economics Writer Fri, 05 Sep 2008 07:26:57 -0700
The nation's unemployment rate zoomed to a five-year high of 6.1 percent in August as employers slashed 84,000 jobs, dramatic proof of the mounting damage a deeply troubled economy is inflicting on workers and businesses alike. The Labor Department's report,...
Fairfield councilman off life support
Fri, 05 Sep 2008 07:18:56 -0700
A Fairfield councilman who has been brain dead since being shot in the head four days ago has been taken off life support. A nursing supervisor at John Muir Medical Center in Walnut Creek says 22-year-old Matt Garcia died Friday morning at 6 a.m. His body is...

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