California is a state in the Western United States,located along the Pacific Coast. With nearly 39.2 million residents across a total area of approximately 163,696 square miles (423,970 km2),it is the most populous U.S. state and the third-largest by area. It is also the most populated subnational entity in North America and the 34th most populous in the world. The Greater Los Angeles and San Francisco Bay areas are the nation's second and fifth most populous urban regions respectively,with the former having more than 18.7 million residents and the latter having over 9.6 million. Sacramento is the state's capital,while Los Angeles is the most populous city in the state and the second most populous city in the country. San Francisco is the second most densely populated major city in the country. Los Angeles County is the country's most populous,while San Bernardino County is the largest county by area in the country. California borders Oregon to the north,Nevada and Arizona to the east,the Mexican state of Baja California to the south;and it has a coastline along the Pacific Ocean to the west.
Los Angeles,often referred to by its initials L.A.,is the most populous city in California,the most populous U.S. state. It is the commercial,financial,and cultural center of Southern California. Los Angeles is the second-most populous city in the United States after New York City,with a population of roughly 3.9 million residents within the city limits as of 2020. Los Angeles has a Mediterranean climate,an ethnically and culturally diverse population,and a sprawling metropolitan area. It is perhaps best known as the home of the Hollywood film industry.
Sacramento is the capital city of the U.S. state of California and the county seat of the county of the same name. Located at the confluence of the Sacramento and American Rivers in Northern California's Sacramento Valley,Sacramento's 2020 population of 524,943 makes it the fourth-largest city in Northern California,sixth-most populous city in the state,and the ninth-most populous state capital in the United States. Sacramento is the seat of the California Legislature and the Governor of California.
The University of California,Berkeley is a public land-grant research university in Berkeley,California. It was established in 1868 as the University of California and is the state's first land-grant university and the founding campus of the University of California system.
The governor of California is the head of government of the U.S. state of California. The governor is the commander-in-chief of the California National Guard and the California State Guard.
Anaheim is a city in northern Orange County,California,United States,part of the Los Angeles metropolitan area. As of the 2020 United States Census,the city had a population of 346,824,making it the most populous city in Orange County,the 10th-most populous city in California,and the 55th-most populous city in the United States. Anaheim is the second-largest city in Orange County in terms of land area,and is known for being the home of the Disneyland Resort,the Anaheim Convention Center,and two major sports teams:the Los Angeles Angels baseball team and the Anaheim Ducks ice hockey club.
Pasadena is a city in Los Angeles County,California,United States,11 miles (18 km) northeast of downtown Los Angeles. It is the most populous city and the primary cultural center of the San Gabriel Valley. Old Pasadena is the city's original commercial district.
Fullerton is a city located in northern Orange County,California,United States. As of the 2020 census,the city had a total population of 143,617.
Santa Clara is a city in Santa Clara County,California. The city's population was 127,647 at the 2020 census,making it the eighth-most populous city in the Bay Area. Located in the southern Bay Area,the city was founded by the Spanish in 1777 with the establishment of Mission Santa Clara de Asís under the leadership of Junípero Serra.
The San Fernando Valley,known locally as the Valley,is an urbanized valley in Los Angeles County,California. Situated to the north of the Los Angeles Basin,it contains a large portion of the City of Los Angeles,as well as unincorporated areas and the incorporated cities of Burbank,Calabasas,Glendale,Hidden Hills,and San Fernando. The valley is well known for its iconic film studios such as Warner Bros. Studio and Walt Disney Studios. In addition,it is home to the Universal Studios Hollywood theme park.
The United States District Court for the Northern District of California is the federal United States district court whose jurisdiction comprises the following counties of California:Alameda,Contra Costa,Del Norte,Humboldt,Lake,Marin,Mendocino,Monterey,Napa,San Benito,San Francisco,San Mateo,Santa Clara,Santa Cruz,and Sonoma. The court hears cases in its courtrooms in Eureka,Oakland,San Francisco,and San Jose. It is headquartered in San Francisco.
The mayor of the City and County of San Francisco is the head of the executive branch of the San Francisco city and county government. The officeholder has the duty to enforce city laws,and the power to either approve or veto bills passed by the San Francisco Board of Supervisors,the legislative branch. The mayor serves a four-year term and is limited to two successive terms. Because of San Francisco's status as a consolidated city-county,the mayor also serves as the head of government of the county;both entities have been governed together by a combined set of governing bodies since 1856.
The California Republican Party (CAGOP) is the affiliate of the United States Republican Party in the U.S. state of California. The party is based in Sacramento and is led by chair Jessica Millan Patterson.
The recent and current politics of the U.S. state of California are complex and involve a number of entrenched interests. (For historical politics,see Politics of California before 1900). The first presidential election the state participated in was 1852. For the next few decades after the Civil War,California was a Republican-leaning but a very competitive state in presidential elections,as in voted for the nationwide winner all but thrice between statehood and 1912,with the exceptions of 1880,1884,and 1912. Beginning with the 1916 election,the state shifted into a bellwether. Between 1916 and 1948,it voted for the nationwide winner every time,and was critical to Democratic victories in 1916 and 1948,as well.
Elections in California are held to fill various local,state and federal seats. In California,regular elections are held every even year;however,some seats have terms of office that are longer than two years,so not every seat is on the ballot in every election. Special elections may be held to fill vacancies at other points in time. Recall elections can also be held. Additionally,statewide initiatives,legislative referrals and referendums may be on the ballot.
Proposition 93 was a Californian ballot proposition that sought to amend the term limits law for the California state legislature. Voters rejected it on February 5,2008.
Eleni Kounalakis is an American politician,businesswoman,and former diplomat serving as the 50th lieutenant governor of California since 2019. A member of the Democratic Party,she is the first woman elected to the office.
United States Army 
