California is a state located on the west coast of the United States. It is bordered by Oregon on the north; by Nevada on the east; by Arizona on the southeast (separated by the Colorado River);
Climate
The state of California is characterized by a Mediterranean type of climate with cool winters and dry summers. The climate varies in the different zones of the state; northwestern California has a temperate climate while the Central Valley experiences a Mediterranean climate. Tropical rainstorms occur often in California during the winter. The state is also subject to floods, droughts, wildfires, tsunamis and landslides. Earthquakes are a general feature, particularly in the San Andreas Fault.
The average annual temperatures for the state range from 8°C in the Sierra Nevada to 23°C in the Imperial Valley. The lowest temperature recorded in the state was -43°C at Boca, near the Nevada border on January 20, 1937. Highest temperature ever recorded was 57°C in Death Valley on 10 July 1913; it was also the highest temperature in the United States.
Mountains
There are forty-one mountains in California exceeding 3,050 m. Mount Whitney is the highest peak at a height of 4,418 meters, followed by Mount Williamson in the Sierra Nevada, at 4,382 meters; Mount Shasta is at 4,317 meters. Lassen Peak (3,187 meters) in the Cascades, is a dormant volcano. Mount Darwin, Mount Keith, Olancha Peak, Mount Tom, Freel Peak, Telescope Peak, and Mount Morgan are the other major mountains.
Rivers
Sacramento River and the San Joaquin River are the two most prominent rivers in California. Some other important rivers are the Pit River, Feather River, Tuolumne River, Santa Ana River, Mojave River, Trinity River, Colorado River and the Klamath River. There are two groups of islands that lie off the shore of California: the Santa Barbara Islands, situated west of Los Angeles and San Diego; and the rocky Farallon Islands, off San Francisco.
Lakes
There are more than 3,000 lakes and reservoirs in California. Lake Tahoe, Lake Shasta, Lake Berryessa, Lake New Melones, Lake Apine, Lake Aloha, Lake Almanor, Lake Anza, Bicycle Lake, Bass lake, Baldwin Lake, Big Bear Lake, Bon Tempe Lake, Don Pedro Lake are some of the major lakes. Shasta Lake in North California has a total length of 365 miles, and is called the "Houseboat Capital of the World."
Lake Tahoe in the Sierra Nevada range of the United States is the largest alpine lake in North America; its depth is 501 meters. The lake is a major tourist attraction with a number of ski resorts and other tourist attractions.
