| Official language(s) | English |
| Capital | Sacramento |
| Largest city | Los Angeles |
| Largest metro area | Greater Los Angeles |
| Area | Ranked 3rd in the US |
| - Total | 163,696 sq mi (423,970 km2) |
| - % water | 4.7 |
| Population | Ranked 1st in the US |
| - Total | 36,961,664 (2009 est.) 33,871,648 (2000) |
| - Median income | US$61,021 (9th) |
| Governor | Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) |
Situated on the Pacific coast of the southwestern US, California is the nation's 3rd-largest state (after Alaska and Texas).
California is bordered on the North by Oregon; on the East by Nevada; on the South East by Arizona (separated by the Colorado River); on the South by the Mexican state of Baja California Norte; and on the West by the Pacific Ocean.
