| |||||||
| Capital (and largest city) |
San Villa | ||||||
| Demonym | Californian | ||||||
| Legislature | Congress | ||||||
| Independence | from Mexico | ||||||
| declared | 20 November 1910 | ||||||
| recognized | 21 May 1920 | ||||||
| Currency | US Dollar | ||||||
California, officially the Republic of California, a country located in the south-western part of North America. Its nine states and two territories extend from the Pacific to the Rocky Mountains in the East, the Sonora Desert in the South and the pacific northwest in the North, making it the third largest country by total area in North America. California's southern border with Mexico and its northern and eastern borders with the United States. The northern border is the world's longest undefended land border. As a whole, California is sparsely populated, the majority of its land area being dominated by mountains and deserts. Consequently, its population is highly urbanized, with 82 percent of the 35.15 million people concentrated in large and medium-sized cities, many near the coast. Its capital is San Villa, and its three largest metropolitan areas are San Francisco, Los Angeles and Sacramento. California's climate varies widely across its vast area, ranging from hot and dry desert weather in the south, to almost Mediterranean in the San Francisco Bay.
History[]
The territory of the modern Republic of California is largely comprised of the former Mexican imperial states of Baja and Alta California. The region had been slowly colonized by pioneers from Mexico, along with a handful of Americans working in the timber industry in the northern Shasta region, but its population didn't see nearly the growth of the Northwestern United States. During the 1860s to the 1880s, the territory did see a sizable migration of Japanese settlers to the San Francisco Bay and north-central valley as part of the Wakamatsu Settlements. These decedents of Japanese Samurai would form the third largest demographic in California, and their customs would inform the development of a distinct Californian identity.
In the early 20th Century the Californian Revolution, led by Poncho Villa and the California Republican Party, successfully broke the region off from Mexico. The newly formed Republic of California had a troubled start, but the mineral wealth of the new nation made it easy for them to develop a close relationship with the United States. The relationship was mutually beneficial as the US got to take advantage of California Gold, Silver, Oil, and Timber without having to bother with the state's turbulent internal politics.
During the Second Thirty Years War, California was a significant ally of the United States, building ships shortly after the Japanese attacks on Anchorage, and providing the raw materials the US needed to fight the Japanese. A contingent of California Volunteers even joined the US military in the Pacific campaign. By the end of the War the nation saw an economic and population boom. The coast became a hub of industry and trade while the interior supplied the raw materials to make it all possible. The US served to guarantee its security, and the country was all too happy to position American radar and early warning installations in its territory. By the 21st Century, California stands with a population of 35 million and is the world's 10th largest economy. Immigration during and after the Great War gave the country a more diverse society, with Filipino and Chinese refugees contributing to the nations' demand for labor, while American settlers in the English-speaking Shasta state continued to impose a social problem. By the 1990s there were serious calls for Shasta to leave California and join the US, and the measure was only defeated by a margin of 5%.
Government and politics[]
Foreign Relations and Military[]
California is recognized as a middle power for its role in international affairs with a tendency to pursue multilateral solutions. California's foreign policy based on international peacekeeping and security is carried out through coalitions and international organizations, and through the work of numerous federal institutions. California's peacekeeping role during the 20th century has played a major role in its global image. The strategy of the California government's foreign aid policy reflects an emphasis to meet the Millennium Development Goals, while also providing assistance in response to foreign humanitarian crises.
The nation employs a professional, volunteer military force of approximately 79,000 active personnel and 32,250 reserve personnel. The armed forces of California comprise the Californian Army, Californian Navy, and Californian Air Force. In 2013, California's military expenditure totalled approximately C$19 billion, or around 1% of the country's GDP. Following the 2016 Defense Policy Review, the California government announced a 70% increase to the country's defense budget over the next decade. The Californian Forces will acquire 88 fighter planes and 15 naval surface combatants, the latter as part of the National Shipbuilding Procurement Strategy. California's total military expenditure is expected to reach C$32.7 billion by 2027.
California's army traces its origins to Revolution and the various irregular forces that contributed to defeating the Mexican Empire. Among these were the Carrancistas, the Zapatistas, and the Wakamatsus who formed the core of the post-Revolutionary staff structure of the military.