Rediscovering the Golden State: California Geography, Enhanced eText

Now in its fourth edition, Rediscovering the Golden State: California Geography examines this unique state’s incredibly diverse landscapes, and how geography and geographic change influences everything from the state’s natural systems and cycles, to its agriculture and more advanced industries, to human migration, cultures, and urban planning. Exploring California through a geographic lens reveals how the field has evolved to cross traditional boundaries, connect local and global issues, and provide the insights that lead to practical solutions to problems new and old. Challenging the reader to look beyond stereotypes and assumptions, this book encourages active participation in planning the state’s dynamic future. And this project makes teaching and learning about the geography of California more convenient, exciting, and rewarding for instructors and students. Going beyond a scientific analysis of natural features and environmental processes, this book illustrates how social, political, and economic divides can be bridged through the study of geography and the connections it brings to light. From geology, weather and climate, biogeography, and hydrology, we cover the state’s physical geography. And from demography and migration, to cultures and economies, to rural and urban geography, we monitor the state’s human geography pulse and then make the vital connections. California continues to lead the nation in population, economics (5 th largest in the world), agriculture, natural and cultural diversity, and a host of other categories. This powerful state has earned this powerful publication. This timely and versatile book will prove useful to Californians in business, education, government, and to concerned citizens and curious readers seeking to learn more about the Golden State. Cover Title Page Copyright Preface Contents Chapter 1 Getting to Know the Golden State Geographers Study California Here’s California Finding the Golden State and Its Boundaries Size and Shape Help Define California California’s Situation Human/Environment Interaction Getting to Know California: A Brief Survey of its Diverse Regions Northwestern California and the Klamath Mountains North/Central California with Its Southern Cascades The Northeast and Modoc Plateau Basin and Range Sierra Nevada Southern California Deserts (Transmontane Southern California): About 20% of the State Southern California’s Coast and Mountains (Cismontane Southern California) Transverse Ranges North of L.A. A Geographic Pivot Point The Central Coast and Coast Ranges Central Valley Moving On to a Modern, Systematic Geography of California Some Key Terms and Topics Additional Key Terms and Topics Chapter 2 Geologic History and Processes An Overview of Plate Tectonics in California Diverging Plates Converging Plates Sliding Plate Boundaries California Through the Ages: A Geologic History Precambrian (Pre-Phanerozoic) Paleozoic Era: California Below the Sea Mesozoic Era: Where Were the Dinosaurs? Cenozoic Era: Geologic Bridge to the Present Minerals, Ores, and Other Earth Resources Gold from the Mother Lode A Mix of Valuable Earth Resources in the North Earth Resources and Mines in Transmontane California Valuable Earth Resources in the Coastal Mountains and Valleys Some Final Words Some Key Terms and Topics Additional Key Terms and Topics Chapter 3 Modern Geology and Geomorphology: California’s Recent, Current, and Future Physical Landscapes Internal Mountain Building Modern Volcanic Processes and Landforms Modern Tectonic Processes and Landforms: An Introduction Specific Tectonic Processes and Landscapes External Denudational Processes and Landforms Weathering Attacks and Contributes to California Landscapes Mass Wasting (Movement) Landforms Made by Running Water California’s Glacial Landscapes California Landforms Made by Wind Summary Some Key Terms and Topics Additional Key Terms and Topics Chapter 4 California’s Weather and Climate Latitude Solar Radiation and Temperatures Change with Latitude Precipitation Changes with Latitude Global Circulation: California’s Situation Ocean Air Mass Versus Continental Air Mass Influence Temperatures in Marine and Continental Air Masses Marine and Continental Air Masses Influence Precipitation Elevation Temperatures Change with Elevation Precipitation Varies with Elevation Seasonal Cycles Summer Patterns Fall Patterns Winter’s Storms Spring Changes in the Air Air Pollution Southern California and the Los Angeles Basin Other California Valleys Trap Smog California’s Climates No Tropical Climates in California The Driest Climates: California Deserts Semiarid California Mediterranean Climates Mountain Climates California’s Changing Climates Diversity and Change Dominate California Weather Patterns Climographs Reveal Clues to California’s Many Climates Some Key Terms and Topics Additional Key Terms and Topics Chapter 5 Biogeography: Distribution of Plants and Animals Biomes Vegetation Zones And Belts Living Communities Communities Of Cismontane California’s Lower Elevations Coastal Sand Dune and Beach Communities Coastal Scrub Communities Grasslands Oak Woodlands Chaparral Mixed Evergreen Forest Coastal Coniferous Forest Communities Montane Coniferous Forest Communities and Above: An Overview Belts of Vegetation Zones Across California Mixed/Lower Montane Coniferous Forests Red Fir and Lodgepole Pine Forests/Upper Montane Forests Subalpine Forests Alpine Communities Riparian Communities Riparian Habitats and Structures Transmontane Deserts Piñon Pine and Juniper Woodland Communities Joshua Tree Woodlands Desert Scrub Communities Overview Desert Wash, Riparian, and Oasis Communities Habitat and Structure Plants and Animals Introduced By Humans Humans Encroach On Animal Habitats Some Key Terms and Topics Additional Key Terms and Topics Chapter 6 Water Resources: Hydrology of California Natural Waterscapes Input and California’s Water Budget Output: There Goes the Water Lakes Wet and Dry Cycles Water for the People Native Americans The Spanish Era The Mexican Era Anglo Settlers Bring Water Chaos California’s Many Water Projects Central Valley Flood Control The San Francisco Bay Area Los Angeles, Owens Valley, and Mono Lake The Colorado River and Metropolitan Water District Central Valley Project California Water Project Groundwater for California’s People Current Events and the Water Future Water Projects Shape Landscapes Future Allocation of Water Transition from Physical Geography to Human Geography Some Key Terms and Topics Additional Key Terms and Topics Special Topic: California Soils Special Topic: Exploring California Using the Latest Technologies Chapter 7 Human Population and Migration in California The History and Growth of California’s Dynamic Population A Brief History The Nature of Population Change A Closer Look at Migration Patterns and their Effects Considering Net Migration California’s New Face Factors that Influence Migration Patterns Barriers to Migrants Forced to Move The Final Destination Moving Around in California: Migration Within the State Where the Immigrants Settle Mobile Classes and Cultures Create Urban Landscapes Population Densities Landscapes, Land Use, and Living Conditions Population Clusters in California San Diego Southern California Deserts The Central Valley The Central Coast Heading Back Toward Southern California Less-Populated Regional Centers Recent Trends and the Future Population Projections by Race/Ethnicity Public Perceptions of Overpopulation Some Key Terms and Topics Additional Key Terms and Topics Chapter 8 California’s Ethnic Groups, Cultures, and Lifestyles Specific Ethnic Groups, Cultures, and Lifestyles Native Americans (California Indians) Hispanic Heritage Evolves to Modern Latino Cultures From European to Middle-Eastern Americans African Americans South Asian Californians East Asians, Southeast Asians, and Pacific Islanders Religion Other Components of California Cultures In The Mix: Salad Bowl Or Melting Pot? More Diverse People Competing for the California Dream Fierce Competition and Inequity Create Conflict Recognizing Cultural Diversity, Connections, and Change Cultures Mix Within California Communities Traditions, Popular Cultures, and The Future Mosaic A Modern Culture Hearth Some Key Terms and Topics Additional Key Terms and Topics Chapter 9 Primary Industries and Rural Landscapes Primary Industries The Demise of Hunting and Gathering and Subsistence Farming Commercial Agriculture and Agribusiness California Farms Are Different Fishing Industry Forestry Mining Ecotourism The Nature of California’s Rural Landscapes Rural or Urban Landscapes? Rural People and Resources Rural Land Ownership and Use Rural Families to Global Conglomerates Tourism-Friendly Landscapes The Global Marketplace California’s Rural Landscapes and Lifestyles Continue to Evolve Some Key Terms and Topics Additional Key Terms and Topics Chapter 10 California’s Modern, Advanced Economies Classifying The State’s Industries Highly Advanced Industries Industries Evolve to Become More Complex California’s Latest Economic Revolution Building California’s Modern Economy: A History Lesson A New California Economy From the Deepest Pits to the Highest Peaks Growing Discrepancies Powerful Economic Sectors Secondary Industries Tertiary and More Advanced and Complex Industries Economic Development and Growth: Planning for the Future Cooperation and Partnerships A Rosy Future? Economics and Urban Landscapes Some Key Terms and Topics Additional Key Terms and Topics Chapter 11 California’s Urban Landscapes The Growth and Evolution of California’s Urban Areas Defining California Cities Suburbs Grow into Independent Urban Realms Back in the City Recent Changes and Trends Structures and Functions of California’s Cities California Cities Lead the Way What Makes California Cities Tick? Future Functions of California Cities California City Structures Site, Situation, and the Future of California’s Urban Landscapes Site Situation The Future Significance of Site and Situation California’s Modern and Future Urban Landscapes Examples of Issues and Problems Within California’s Urban Landscapes Common Issues and Problems are Connected Urban Sprawl in California Transporting People in Our Cities Mass Transit in California Cities Using Zoning and Other Ordinances to Shape California Cities Short-Term Remedies for Long-Term Urban Problems: Examples Urban Planning in Modern California Rediscovering Diversity, Connections, and Change Some Key Terms and Topics Additional Key Terms and Topics Chapter 12 Applying Geographic Concepts to Explore California Shoreline Geography Coastal Geomorphology Ocean–Atmosphere Interaction Marine Life Environmental Issues on California’s Coast Energy Fossil Fuels Nuclear Hydropower Geothermal Power Wind Power Solar Power and Biofuels Our Sustainable Energy Future Climate Change Improving Our Quality of Life, Living More Efficiently Two Californias: Together We Rise (Succeed), Divided We Fall (Fail) California’s Next Chapter Some Key Terms and Topics Additional Key Terms and Topics References and Further Readings Index "In this fourth edition of Rediscovering the Golden State: California Geography, we are reaching out to a wide audience of people who want to better understand and appreciate California's diverse natural and human systems and landscapes. An important component of this audience is made up of students and teachers studying the geography of California ... This book is designed so that students will be able to: - Examine the forces, processes, systems, and cycles that shape California landscapes and impact its people. - Identify the diversity, connections, and change that define the Golden State, including powerful connections between the state's and the world's many changing physical and human processes and landscapes. - Apply geospatial techniques to research and identify places and events and to ask and answer today's most important questions. - Understand the major issues and solve problems that confront California today. - Rediscover your sense of place."--Provided by publisher