California, located in the western United States,
stretches along the Pacific Ocean from the border with Oregon to the Mexican border for almost 1,400 km. Its terrain is very diverse: here are the beaches surrounded by cliffs, sequoia forests, the Sierra Nevada mountains, the agricultural lands of the California Valley and the Mojave Desert. The most interesting area for tourists in Los Angeles is Hollywood, the capital of the American film industry. The city of San Francisco has gained worldwide fame for the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz Island and the cable car.
Climate and Geography
California's beauty and mild climate make it a desirable location for many college students. The state's size creates a wide variety of climate conditions in different regions, including hot deserts and snowy mountains. However, major cities such as San Francisco and Los Angeles generally remain temperate throughout the year.
Cultural Diversity
California maintains a national reputation for both cultural and racial diversity. Latino/as became the state's largest ethnic group in 2014. In 2021, they comprise 39% of the state's population, according to the Public Policy Institute of California. Asian and Pacific Islander residents make up 15% of the state's population, while African American residents make up 6%.
Tech Opportunities
Also known as a tech hub, California offers many professional and educational opportunities for students interested in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Bay Area colleges like Stanford University and Berkeley are well known for graduating prominent figures in the tech industry and producing startup technology ventures.
Academic Opportunities
Many of the country's top colleges are in California. The UC System features some of the best public colleges in the United States, such as Berkeley and UCLA. The state is also home to the California State University System, which enrolled more than 485,550 students across 23 campuses in 2020.
ALMONDS CALIFORNIA'S TOP EXPORT
Almonds are California’s top exports. Most of the state’s almonds are grown in the Central Valley, which is considered the world’s almond capital.
ONCE KNOWN AS THE "GRIZZLY BEAR STATE"
California was initially named “the Grizzly Bear State” (hence the bear on the flag), but as the human population increased in California, trouble escalated between bear and man. As a result, the bears were hunted for sport, thus leading to their extinction. When there were no longer any bears left, California was renamed the Golden State.
THE LAND OF INVENTION
California is truly a hub of innovation and inspires the brightest minds; many innovations were created here, including wetsuits, skateboards, Barbie dolls, Apple products, Frisbee, and even the internet.
HOME OF THE FORTUNE COOKIES
What does your future hold? A fortune cookie has got you covered. This post-dinner delight was created in California, with both Los Angeles and San Francisco taking credit for the invention.
ALMOST EVERYONE IN THE WORLD HAS HAD A WINDOW TO CALIFORNIA
The photo of the green hills, which serves as the iconic wallpaper from Windows XP, is actually taken in Sonoma County. And no editing has been done on the photo at all.
AVOCADO IS THE OFFICIAL STATE FRUIT
Enjoying everything from avocado toast to avocado smoothies, Californians are so in love with the avocado that it's become the official state fruit and one of the most iconic foods in California. San Diego County's Fallbrook, known as the "Avocado Capital of the World," hosts an annual avocado festival.
BEVERLY HILLS USED TO BE A FARM
The iconic zip code 90210 is one of the state's most expensive zip codes and among L.A.'s most expensive neighborhoods, but Beverly Hills has actually humble roots. What began as a Spanish lima bean ranch quickly transformed into the most prestigious Golden State neighborhood and is now home to many Hollywood starlets.