Chapter 15: California

Our state has a whole chapter to itself, and its because we have a lot to offer, but the key thing here is San Francisco is located in California.


Some key points:

1. California's physical geography is dominated by north-south oriented mountains/valleys and a mediterranean climate.
2. The state's location on the Ring of Fire makes it prone to devastating earthquakes.
3. California's agricultural productivity, valued at over $30 billion annually, is greater than any state in the country.
4. Water is a scarce resource in parts of California and the state has had to undertake large water projects to provide for its growing populations.
5. California's urban megalopolis has been largely shaped by use of the automobile, but automobile-related congestion and pollution continue to be problems. 

The Earthquake Zones:

The most famous fault, the San Andreas, extends from the Gulf of California through the Imperial Valley to Point arena north of San Francisco, where it extends into the Pacific Ocean. Lateral earth movement was as much as 20 feet along the San Andreas when the devastating 1906 San Francisco earthquake struck. 

"At almost precisely 5:12 a.m., local time, a foreshock occurred with sufficient force to be felt widely throughout the San Francisco Bay area. The great earthquake broke loose some 20 to 25 seconds later, with an epicenter near San Francisco. Violent shocks punctuated the strong shaking which lasted some 45 to 60 seconds. The earthquake was felt from southern Oregon to south of Los Angeles and inland as far as central Nevada.".....

"The frequently quoted value of 700 deaths caused by the earthquake and fire is now believed to underestimate the total loss of life by a factor of 3 or 4. Most of the fatalities occurred in San Francisco, and 189 were reported elsewhere."

http://earthquake.usgs.gov/regional/nca/1906/18april/index.php

The Gold Rush:

San Francisco was the supply port for the gold rush. San Francisco grew from a small settlement of about 200 residents in 1846 to a boomtown of about 36,000 by 1852. Roads, churches, schools and other towns were built throughout California. In 1849 a state constitution was written, a governor and legislature chosen and California became a state in 1850 as part of the Compromise of 1850 which divided possible US territories into free and slave states. Samual Brannan sold them shovels, picks, pans, and other items from his stores, he would gross $150,000 a month.

Smog:

San Francisco's smog level is considered good, they have special programs to educate people and have a smog free environment.

Bay Area:

• Has the BART system as transport.
• Has houses tall and really close together
• ethnic neighborhoods
• major pacific port