Capital: Sacramento

State abbreviation/Postal code: Calif./CA

Governor: Arnold Schwarzenegger, R (to Jan. 2011)

Lieut. Governor: John Garamendi, D (to Jan. 2011)

Senators: Barbara Boxer, D (to Jan. 2011); Dianne Feinstein, D (to Jan. 2013)

U.S. Representatives: 53

Historical biographies of Congressional members

Secy. of State: Debra Bowen, D (to Jan. 2011)

Atty. General: Jerry Brown, D (to Jan. 2011)

Treasurer: Bill Lockyear, D (to Jan. 2011

Entered Union (rank): Sept. 9, 1850 (31)

Present constitution adopted: 1879

Motto: Eureka (I have found it)

State symbols:

Nickname: Golden State

Origin of name: From a book, Las Sergas de Esplandi�n, by Garcia Ord��ez de Montalvo, c. 1500

10 largest cities (2005 est.): Los Angeles, 3,844,829; San Diego, 1,255,540; San Jose, 912,332; San Francisco, 739,426; Long Beach, 474,014; Fresno, 461,116; Sacramento, 456,441; Oakland, 395,274; Santa Ana, 340,368; Anaheim, 331,804

Land area: 155,959 sq mi. (403,934 sq km)

Geographic center: In Madera Co., 38 mi. E of Madera

Number of counties: 58

Largest county by population and area: Los Angeles, 9,935,475 (2005); San Bernardino, 20,164 sq mi.

National forests: 18

State parks and beaches: 278 (1.5 million ac.)

Residents: Californian

2005 resident population est.: 36,132,147

2000 resident census population (rank): 33,871,648 (1). Male: 16,874,892 (49.8%); Female: 16,996,756 (50.2%). White: 20,170,059 (59.5%); Black: 2,263,882 (6.7%); American Indian: 333,346 (1.0%); Asian: 3,697,513 (10.9%); Other race: 5,682,241 (16.8%); Two or more races: 1,607,646 (4.7%); Hispanic/Latino: 10,966,556 (32.4%). 2000 percent population 18 and over: 72.7; 65 and over: 10.6; median age: 33.3.

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