California is a state located in the western United States. It is the third-largest state by area and the most populous state in the country. Let’s learn about the geography of California.
The geography of California
Overview
California has an area of about 163,700 square miles (423,970 square kilometers), making it the third-largest U.S. state after Alaska and Texas. The population of California is around 39.4 million (2024 estimate).
Borders of California
California has 3 state borders and 1 international border. It borders the state of Oregon to the north, Nevada and Arizona to the east, and the Mexican state of Baja California to the south.
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The tallest trees in the world are found in California
The coast redwood, also known as the California redwood, is the tallest tree species in the world, reaching heights of over 360 feet (110 meters). It is primarily found along the northern California coast and can also be seen in southwestern Oregon.
Another enormous tree species, the giant sequoia, grows exclusively in the Sierra Nevada mountains of California. Giant sequoias can reach heights of over 280 feet (85 m).
Mountain ranges and highest peaks in California
Mount Whitney is the highest peak in California, rising to 14,505 ft (4,421 meters). It is located in the Sierra Nevada mountain range, which extends along the eastern edge of the state near the California-Nevada border.
In the far north, the Cascade Range extends into California near the Oregon border. Klamath Mountains also lie near the Oregon border. Along the Pacific coast, several smaller mountain ranges run roughly parallel to the coastline.
Top 3 highest mountain peaks in California:
- Mount Whitney (14,505 ft/4,421 m)
- Mount Williamson (14,379 ft/4,383 m)
- White Mountain Peak (14,252 ft/4,344 m)
Volcanoes in California
California is home to several volcanoes, many of which are active and potentially hazardous. The most prominent ones are Mount Shasta and Lassen Peak in the north, both part of the Cascade Range.
Major rivers in California
The Sacramento River is the longest river entirely within California, stretching nearly 400 miles. The longest river that flows through California is the Colorado River, which forms the California-Arizona border in the southeastern part of the state. Other major rivers in California include the Klamath River, San Joaquin River, Pit River, and Eel River.
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Largest lakes in California
The Salton Sea is the largest lake in California, covering an area of about 340 square miles. It is an extremely saline body of water with not much life.
Lake Tahoe, located on the California-Nevada border, is the second-largest lake in the state, with an area of around 190 square miles (492 km²). It is also the largest freshwater lake in California.
Capital city and Largest city
Los Angeles is the largest city in California and the second largest city in the United States, after New York City. The state capital is Sacramento, which is located about 380 miles north of Los Angeles. The three largest cities in California are: Los Angeles, San Diego, and San Jose.
(Also read: Top 10 largest cities in California by population)
National Parks
California is the land of National Parks. There are 9 National Parks in the state. Some of America’s most popular National Parks are located in California. Yosemite National Park was visited by 4.12 million people in the year 2024. Joshua Tree National Park located just 130 miles east of Los Angeles was visited by 2.99 million people in 2024.
(Also read: Which state has the most National Parks in the US?)
Wildlife in California
California is home to a rich diversity of flora and fauna. According to some rough estimates, the state has more than 220 species of mammals, over 650 species of birds, over 100 species of reptiles, over 70 species of amphibians, and thousands of invertebrates. Some of the larger animals found in California include the American black bear, mountain lion, bighorn sheep, mule deer, red fox, and bald eagle.
San Francisco Bay Area
The San Francisco Bay Area is a densely populated region in California surrounding the San Francisco Bay. The three major cities in the region are San Francisco, San Jose, and Oakland. The Bay Area is known for its diverse culture, thriving tech industry, and natural beauty.
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