The city of San Francisco is part of the state of California. Situated at the tip of the San Francisco Peninsula, the City is the major point in the San Francisco Bay area. It is the 4 th most populous city in California with also a record of being the 14 th most populous city in the US. The city is also one of the most expensive in the US with a sound economy and high standards of living. With the mainland the city of San Francisco also includes Treasure Island, Yeba Buena Island and the Treasure Island.
Some archaeological excavations prove that civilization existed in the San Francisco bay area around 3000 BC. However, the first European discovery of the place records back to the year of 1769 when it was founded by Spain and later colonized by her in 1776. San Francisco achieved her freedom from Spanish colonization in 1821, after which the area became a part of Mexico. It was only when Englishman William Richardson started to plan the city in European style did it attract many American settlers. But population in the city increased with the commencement of the California Gold Rush and treasure hunters from all parts of the world gathered in this port city. The Gold Rush quickly granted California statehood and with the establishment of the fort on Alcatraz island the city officially came under US control. Population further increased in the area with the Silver Discovery of 1859.These simultaneous discoveries attracted many businessmen in the city which in turn was responsible for the creation of the first Transcontinental Railroad.
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The port of San Francisco transformed the city into a major trade center. Amenities abounded in the city and the area transformed itself into an expensive and plush city by the turn of the century.
The history of the city records two major earthquakes which had almost transformed the city into ruins. The one in the year of 1906 had such massive aftereffects that many thought the city would never again recover from it. However, proving one and all wrong the city developed so much and so rapidly that it soon became the financial capital of America. The other more recent earthquake was in 1989. The city has a major historical significance with the UN charter being signed here in 1945 and San Francisco's War with Japan which had ended with the Treaty of San Francisco in 1951. During the 1970's the city became a significant center for Gay Rights Movement. The 1990's brought another economical boom into the city with the Internet age and it was then that the poorer neighborhoods were finally refurbished.
Located in the coastal area the city of San Francisco enjoys a Mediterranean type of climate with warm summers and mild winters which can sometimes become freezing. However, the economy of the place currently is very much dependent on tourism with the city abounding in several picturesque beaches . Tourists flock to the region each year to enjoy the warm sunny beaches in the summers. On the cultural front the city is very famous for its Opera troupes.
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