California State Information – Symbols, Capital, Constitution, Flags, Maps, Songs

Quick Facts

Capital City: Sacramento

Abbreviation: CA

Population (2019): 38,332,521; Rank: 1 of 50 | Population Quick Facts

Region: West

Admission to Statehood: September 9, 1850 (31st State)

State Motto: Eureka (Greek) translates to I found it!

State Nickname: Golden State

Origin of State Name: Named by the Spanish after Califia, a mythical paradise in a Spanish romance, written by Montalvo in 1510.

Area Codes: 209, 213, 310, 323, 408, 415, 424, 442, 510, 530, 559, 562, 619, 626, 650, 657, 661, 707, 714, 747, 760, 805, 818, 831, 858, 909, 916, 925, 949, 951

Zip Codes: California Zip Codes

State Symbols

Bird: California Valley Quail

Flag: Historic Bear flag raised at Sonomaon June 14, 1846, by a group of American settlers in revolt against Mexican rule. The flag was designed by William Todd on a piece of new unbleached cotton. The star imitated the lone star of Texas. A grizzly bear represented the many bears seen in the state. The word, “California Republic” was placed beneath the star and bear. It was adopted by the 1911 State Legislature as the State Flag. Learn more details about the California flag.

Flower: California Poppy (Eschscholtzia californica)

Soil: San Joaquin

Song: “I Love You, California” | Words by: F.B. Silverwood | Music by: A.F. Frankenstein

Tree: California Redwood (Sequoia sempervirens & Sequoia gigantea)

Quarter: Reverse -Depicts naturalist John Muir, the Yosemite Valley, and a soaring California condor. Obverse features an image of George Washington.

Geography

Area:

Area: 163,707 sq.mi (423,999 sq.km.), 3rd
Land: 155,973 sq.mi. (403,969 sq.km.), 3rd
Water: 7,734 sq.mi. (20,031 sq.km.), 6th
Coastline: 840 mi. (1,352 km.), 3rd
Shoreline: 3,427 mi. (5,515 km.), 5th

Largest Cities:

Border States: Arizona | Nevada | Oregon | List of US Regions

Highest Point: Mt. Whitney ; 14,494 feet, (4,421 m), 2nd tallest

Lowest Point: Badwater Basin in Death Valley National Park, California; 282 feet below sea level, lowest point in the US

Geographic Center: 38 miles east of Madera

National Parks: 28 National Parks in California

Cabrillo National Monument
Castle Mountains National Monument
César Chávez National Monument
Channel Islands National Park
Death Valley National Park
Devils Postpile National Monument
Eugene O’Neill National Historic Site
Fort Point National Historic Site
Golden Gate National Recreation Area
John Muir National Historic Site
Joshua Tree National Park
Kings Canyon National Park
Lassen Volcanic National Park
Lava Beds National Monument
Manzanar National Historic Site
Mojave National Preserve
Muir Woods National Monument
Point Reyes National Seashore
Port Chicago Naval Magazine National Memorial
Redwood National Park
Rosie the Riveter WWII Home Front National Historical Park
San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park
Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area
Sequoia National Park
Tule Lake National Monument
Whiskeytown National Recreation Area
Yosemite National Park