Dimensions Guide

California is the third biggest state in the U.S. in terms of land area, which comes after Texas and Alaska. It is surrounded by Arizona on the southeast side, Nevada on the northeast side, the Mexican state of Baja on the south end and Oregon on the north end. Its economy thrives on various industries including information technology, petroleum and aerospace among others. In addition to these wonderful facts, it is nice to know other significant things about the place including the size of California.

The Size of California

What is the size of California? This state is ranked third in the United States in terms of total land area. It measures 423,970 square kilometers or 163,696 square miles. Its length is measured at 1,240 kilometers or 770 miles. Meanwhile, its width is 400 kilometers or 250 miles. The highest point in the state is Mount Whitney, which stands 4,421 meters or 14,505 feet high. On the other hand, the lowest point is Death Valley.

Additional Facts and Other Important Details

The state of California ranks first in the United States in terms of population. In 2008, it has an estimated 36,756,666 residents. The largest city is California, while its capital is Sacramento. In 2007, it posted a gross state product amounting to $1.812 trillion, which is the biggest in the country. This value constituted more or less 13 percent of the country’s gross domestic product for that year. However, it has a budget deficit valued at $26.3 billion for the 2009 to 2010 fiscal year.

The state is home to a number of highly significant economic regions such as Silicon Valley, which thrives on the high technology and computer industries. In addition, the Central Valley area is known for its rich agriculture, Southern California for the aerospace industry and Hollywood for the highly successful entertainment industry. The leading sectors in the state include utilities, transportation and trade. However, unemployment remains a problem in the area, which is estimated at 9.3 percent as of December 2008.

Overall, California is made up of 480 incorporated towns and cities as well as 58 counties. The state is also a very good spot for hosting different kinds of professional sports. Currently, it plays home to 19 major sports franchises. Furthermore, it boasts of highly prestigious collegiate sports programs, specifically in universities such as Fresno State, Stanford, the University of California in Los Angeles or UCLA, the University of Southern California or USC and the University of California in Berkeley.