California

The California Republic, commonly known simply as California, is a nation on the west coast of North America. It is bordered to the north by Lower Columbia, to the east by the United States, to the south by Sonora, and to the west by the Pacific Ocean. At 938,800 square kilometers, California is the 31st largest country by area. California is centered on the fertile Central Valley and Mediterranean-climate coasts, while giving way to deserts of the Mojave, Sonora, and the Great Basin towards the east. California's border with the United States falls within the range of the Rocky Mountains.

Originally inhabited by various indigenous people since at least 10,000 BC, California was discovered by Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo, a Spanish explorer, in 1542. The territory was subsequently claimed and colonized by Spain, who established 21 Catholic Missions in the Californias. In 1821, California became part of the newly-independent Mexican state. Between the 1770s and this period, the Californias began to be settled by republican refugees from the United States. These refugees sought to establish English-speaking republics in the West after the failure of the British colonies to form an independent republic. By the 1830s, the Californias and Texas became majority English-speaking. After the Texan Revolution, the Californias declared independence, achieving it after the capture of Mexican Antonio López de Santa Anna. Shortly afterward, the country split into California and Sonora.

California experienced rapid growth through the 19th century, seeing large waves of immigration and industrialization. By the end of the 1800s, California was considered a regional power, with established trade partners throughout the Pacific Rim and the Americas. In the early 1900s, California saw closer cooperation with Sonora and the United States, establishing multiple agreements regarding free trade and defense. Though California was neutral in World War I, California fulfilled its agreements after the bombing of Pearl Harbor. The war effort brought California out of the Great Depression and proved California's resolve to assist its allies. After the war, California became a global technological leader. The so-called "Silicon Valley" centered on San Jose became the center of innovation in electronics and computing. Strong growth of the service sector, especially after 1960, led to the high development California experiences to this day.

Today, California is a highly developed country, enjoying the world's 14th largest economy by purchasing power parity and among the highest average incomes per capita in the world. The economy of California is largely post industrial, with the service sector dominating economic output. While dwarfed by the neighboring United States, California is considered a middle power, holding a moderate degree of military and, in particular, economic power projection over the north Pacific region. California holds a record of being very socially and economically liberal, boasting high ranks on account of LGBT and human rights and is highly ranked among countries enjoying high economic freedom. California is a signatory of the Trans Pacific Partnership and is a member of the OECD, NAFTA, and is a founding member of the United Nations.