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California is the most populous state in the United States, and the third largest by area. California is the second most populous sub-national entity in the Americas, behind only São Paulo, Brazil. It is located on the West Coast of the United States, and is bordered by Oregon to the north, Nevada to the northeast, Arizona to the southeast, the Mexican state of Baja California to the south, and the Pacific Ocean to the west.

California's geography ranges from the Pacific coast to the Sierra Nevada mountain range in the east, to Mojave desert areas in the southeast and the Redwood–Douglas fir forests of the northwest.

Beginning in the late 18th century, the area known as Alta California was colonized by the Spanish Empire. In 1821, Mexico, including Alta California, became the First Mexican Empire, beginning as a monarchy, before shifting to a republic. In 1846 a group of American settlers in Sonoma declared the independence of a California Republic. As a result of the Mexican-American War, Mexico ceded California to the United States. It became the 31st state admitted to the union on September 9, 1850.

In the 19th century, the California Gold Rush brought about dramatic social, economic, and demographic change in California, with a large influx of people and an economic boom that caused San Francisco to grow from a hamlet of tents to a world-renowned boomtown. Key developments in the early 20th century included the emergence of Los Angeles as center of the American entertainment industry, and the growth of a large, state-wide tourism sector. In addition to California's prosperous agricultural industry, other important contributors to the economy include aerospace, petroleum, and information technology. If California were a country, it would rank among the ten largest economies in the world, with a GDP similar to that of Italy. It would be the 35th most populous country.

California in The Disunited States of America Edit

California was one of the most powerful countries (states) on North America and in the world. A parliamentary democracy, California was one of the more progressive countries in North America. It occasionally skirmished with Baja, but California's military might dissuaded enemies from direct confrontation. Technologically, California was also one of the most advanced countries in the world. Like most nations around world, California used the metric system. It had universal health care. It was one of the two countries which launched manned missions to Mars (the other being Prussia).

Having never been a slave-holding entity, California took a more liberal view of race. Beckie Royer had a difficult time when she visited Virginia with her grandmother in 2097.

Much like its counter-part in the home timeline, California had been a Mexican state. However, its ties had been much stronger for much longer.

California in "Joe Steele"Edit

California was the home state of Joe Steele, the 32nd president of the United States. He frequently played up the fact that he was from the farming country of Fresno.

California in Southern Victory Edit

California was a large US state on the west coast of North America, desirable for its climate and natural resources and strategic because of the many ports it provided for the U.S. Navy. California was the only state that shared a border with Mexico.

While British and French naval forces attacked and severely damaged San Francisco and Los Angeles respectively during the Second Mexican War, the US Pacific fleet was a powerful force by 1914. It was from California that the fleet set sail to launch a successful surprise attack against and conquest of the British-held Sandwich Islands. The United States Army also launched an underfunded expedition to capture Baja California in 1916 and monitor the Confederate Pacific coast in Sonora.

Los Angeles was again attacked by Japanese bombers during the Pacific War in 1932 but suffered little damage. California itself was barely impacted by the Second Great War.

Notable CaliforniansEdit

California was the home of the United States' movie industry. It also saw substantial conflict between labor and management in the interwar period.

California in SupervolcanoEdit

The effects of the Yellowstone Supervolcano were felt almost immediately in California in the form of a mild earthquake which was felt as a gentle rolling motion that went on and on.^[1] No damage was done but ash from the eruption reached the state despite being up-wind.^[2] Neither did significant harm but did disrupt transportation to areas to the east.

California in The Two GeorgesEdit

Upper California was a province of the North American Union. It was a part of Nueva España until the 19th century.

California in Worldwar Edit

In the years after the Peace of Cairo, California was particularly strategic to the United States because of its climate and resources and proximity to Race-held Mexico. Many Californians were open to alternative trends, such as Race Mimicking and emperor-worship. Race specialist Sam Yeager resided in southern California along with a large community of Lizard expatriates who enjoyed the relative freedom of the US.