CALIFORNIA Cultural Information
WELCOME TO
California
The “Golden State” nickname was given to California by miners who found large deposits of gold there during the 1849 Gold Rush.
The culture of California is tied to the culture of the United States as a whole. With roots in the cultures of Spain, Mexico, and the eastern United States, California integrates foods, languages and traditions from all over the world.
California lives everyday life to the fullest, savors the beauty of views and sea breezes. A sense of freedom and ease is enjoyed.
California Motto
The California state motto “Eureka” is a Greek motto which may be translated as “I have found it”. It is in fact the only U. S. state motto in Greek. The motto appears on the state seal, and it refers to the discovery of gold in California.
- Spoken Languages: English: 58.1% Spanish: 28.8% Other: 13.1%
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In 1850, California became the 31st state. Prior to its statehood, California was an independent country for one month in 1846.
- California is home to approximately 40 million residents, which is about ⅛ of the U.S. population and more than the entire population of Canada.
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The Golden State ranks third amongst the largest territories in the U.S., after Alaska and Texas. Los Angeles, San Diego, and San Jose are among the top 10 biggest cities in the U.S.
- California is truly a hub of innovation and inspires the brightest of minds; many innovations were created here, including wetsuits, skateboards, Barbie dolls, Apple products, Frisbee, and even the Internet.
- With nine national parks to explore, California is home to the most national parks in the country and offers an abundance of incredibly beautiful scenery. In California’s Sequoia National Park, you’ll find the world’s largest tree by volume. Named General Sherman, this giant sequoia is about 52,500 cubic feet by volume, and its circumference at the ground is 102.6 feet
- California is the only state that has hosted both the summer and winter Olympics. The city of Los Angeles hosted the 1932 and 1984 Summer Olympics, while Squaw Valley hosted the 1960 Winter Olympics.
Things
TO DO
Please click on each link to find out more
- 21 Top Things to Do in California
- 19 Best Free Things to Do in California
- The 33 Best Things to do in Southern California
- California Bucket List: Top 50 Things to Do in the Golden State
- The Best Places to Visit in California in the Winter
- CALIFORNIA IN APRIL: 17 BEST PLACES TO VISIT FOR A SPRING VACATION
What is California famous for?
California is most recognized for Los Angeles and San Francisco as well as its many beautiful beaches. There are several state and privately-owned beaches spread over most of the counties in California. These beaches are perfect for those who love being in nature but they’re also great for those who enjoy a bit of sunbathing and swimming. It’s thought that there are over 840 miles of golden sands in California.
Most Popular Sports in California
Football is the most popular Professional Sport in California (National Football League/NFL). California is home to 4 NFL Teams. The approximate schedule, Preseason is held in August, Regular season is September through December, and Playoffs in January. Other popular sports include Baseball, Basketball, Soccer and Hockey.
What is cool about california
One of the most popular destinations in all of North America, California is famous for the Golden Gate Bridge, Disneyland, and Hollywood film industry. Other things unique to California are the music festivals, Surf Culture and vast array of authentic and diverse ethnic foods.
