Difference between revisions of "California"

California <ref name="term_69971" />  

<p> The most south-westerly State in the American Union; occupies the Pacific seaboard between [[Oregon]] and Mexico, and is bounded landward by [[Nevada]] and Arizona. It is the second largest State, larger by a quarter than the United Kingdom. In the N. the rainfall is excessive, and winters severe; in the S. there is little rain, and a delightful climate. [[Wheat]] is the most important product; the grape and all manner of fruits grow luxuriantly. Mineral wealth is great: it is the foremost State for gold and quicksilver; lead, silver, copper, iron, sulphur, coal, and many other minerals abound. The industries include brandy and sugar manufactures, silk-growing, shipbuilding, and fishing. All products are exported, eastward by the great Central, Union, and Southern Pacific railroads; and seaward, the chief port being San Francisco, the largest city, as [[Sacramento]] is the capital of the State. The Yosemite Valley, in the [[Sierra]] Nevada, through which falls the Merced River, is the most wonderful gorge in the world. Captured from [[Mexico]] in 1847, the discovery of gold next year raised great excitement, and brought thousands of adventurers from all over the world. Constituted a State in 1850, the original lawlessness gradually gave way to regular administration, and progress has since been steady and rapid. </p>