California Geography Overview

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Questions and Answers

What is topography?

The geologic time scale

The arrangement of the natural and artificial physical features of an area (correct)

The arrangement of the weather conditions

An ecologically and geographically defined area

What is geologic history?

Earth follows the major events in Earth's past based on the geologic time scale.

What does climate refer to?

The weather conditions prevailing in an area in general or over a long period of time.

Define bioregion.

An ecologically and geographically defined area that is smaller than an ecozone. Signup and view all the answers

What is the mean elevation of California in feet above sea level?

2,900 Signup and view all the answers

How high is Mt. Whitney in feet?

14,494 Signup and view all the answers

How long is California at its most distant points?

1,040 miles North to South Signup and view all the answers

What California mountains extend east to west?

Sierra Nevadas Signup and view all the answers

How high is Mt. Shasta in feet?

14,162 Signup and view all the answers

What mountains are found in northwestern California?

Klamath Signup and view all the answers

How wide is California at its most distant east-west points?

560 miles Signup and view all the answers

What is the lowest precipitation amount, in inches, for California?

0-5 Signup and view all the answers

In what part of California is the precipitation highest?

Northwest Signup and view all the answers

What is the highest precipitation amount, in inches, for California?

over 100 Signup and view all the answers

How many species of plants and animals are found in California?

5,879 Signup and view all the answers

How many species of plants and animals are endemic to California?

2,214 Signup and view all the answers

What type of wetlands occur in the Bay Area-Delta Bioregion?

Freshwater marshes and salt marshes Signup and view all the answers

How many of the ten bioregions are adversely impacted by water management issues?

8 Signup and view all the answers

Which bioregion receives the most annual precipitation?

Klamath OR North coast bioregion Signup and view all the answers

What bioregion has the largest human population?

South coast bioregion Signup and view all the answers

What has the South Coast bioregion been affected by?

Urbanization Signup and view all the answers

The water supply of California comes mainly from the runoff from what mountain range?

Sierra Nevada Signup and view all the answers

How many gallons of agricultural water are required to produce a hamburger patty?

1,300 gallons Signup and view all the answers

How much more water can California groundwater aquifers hold compared to surface reservoirs?

6-10 times more Signup and view all the answers

How much of California's water from precipitation is lost through evaporation and transpiration?

65% Signup and view all the answers

In what year did a flood in the Central Valley destroy about half the property value in the state, and touch off lethal epidemics?

1862 Signup and view all the answers

Most of the densely populated, low-lying areas along the coast and in interior valleys have what climate type?

Mediterranean Signup and view all the answers

Where is California's largest expanse of flat land west of the Rocky Mountains?

Central Valley Signup and view all the answers

What California tree is the world's tallest species?

Coast Redwood Signup and view all the answers

Where have the lowest temperatures in California been recorded?

Donner Pass Signup and view all the answers

Proportionally California receives __________________ the average annual rainfall of the South Atlantic and Gulf Coast States.

less than half Signup and view all the answers

Where in California is the only navigable sea-level route through the Coast Range into the interior between Mexico and the Columbia River?

San Francisco Bay, Carquinez Strait, Sacramento River, San Joaquin River system Signup and view all the answers

What California tree is the world's bulkiest species?

Giant Sequoia Signup and view all the answers

During the last one hundred years, how much of California's managed water supplies were consumed by farmers?

90% Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of California's rain falls in roughly the northern half of the state?

90% Signup and view all the answers

What trees in California are some of the world's oldest organisms?

Coast Redwood and the Gnarled Bristlecone Pine Signup and view all the answers

Which mountains make up the Transverse Ranges?

Tehachapis, San Gabriels, and San Bernardinos Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Topography

Refers to the arrangement of natural and artificial physical features in an area.

Geologic History

Describes major events in Earth's past based on the geologic time scale.

Climate

Represents the long-term weather conditions prevailing in a specific area.

Bioregion

An ecologically and geographically defined area smaller than an ecozone.

Elevation of California

Mean elevation is 2,900 feet above sea level.

Elevation of Major Mountains

Mt. Whitney stands at 14,494 feet.
Mt. Shasta reaches an elevation of 14,162 feet.

Length and Width of California

Extends 1,040 miles from north to south.
Width at its widest east-west points is 560 miles.

California Mountains

Sierra Nevada mountains stretch east to west.
Klamath mountains are located in northwestern California.

Precipitation

Lowest precipitation in California ranges from 0 to 5 inches.
Highest precipitation occurs in the northwest, exceeding 100 inches.

Biodiversity in California

Home to 5,879 species of plants and animals.
2,214 of these species are endemic to California.
Freshwater and salt marshes are the wetlands found in the Bay Area-Delta Bioregion.

Water Management Issues

Eight out of ten bioregions suffer from adverse water management issues.

Annual Precipitation in Bioregions

Klamath or North coast bioregion receives the most annual precipitation.
South coast bioregion has the largest human population and is affected by urbanization.

Water Supply Sources

Primary water supply comes from runoff in the Sierra Nevada mountain range.

Agricultural Water Usage

Producing a hamburger patty requires 1,300 gallons of agricultural water.

Groundwater and Surface Reservoirs

California's groundwater aquifers can hold 6-10 times more water than surface reservoirs.

Water Loss

65% of California's precipitation is lost through evaporation and transpiration.

Significant Historical Events

A flood in the Central Valley in 1862 destroyed about half the property value in California and caused lethal epidemics.

Climate Types

Densely populated coastal and low-lying interior areas predominantly experience a Mediterranean climate.

Central Valley

Recognized as the largest expanse of flat land west of the Rocky Mountains.

Tallest and Bulkiest Trees

Coast Redwood is the world's tallest tree species.
Giant Sequoia is considered the world's bulkiest species.

Temperature Records

Lowest temperatures in California have been recorded at Donner Pass.

Rainfall Distribution

California receives less than half the average annual rainfall of the South Atlantic and Gulf Coast states.
Approximately 90% of California's rainfall occurs in the northern half of the state.

Ancient Tree Species

Coast Redwood and Gnarled Bristlecone Pine are some of the oldest living organisms.

Transverse Ranges

Comprising the Tehachapis, San Gabriels, and San Bernardinos mountains.

Water Usage in Agriculture

Farmers consume around 90% of California's managed water supplies.

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Description

Explore the diverse geography of California, including its topography, geologic history, and climate. This quiz covers features such as elevation, mountain ranges, and precipitation patterns across the state. Test your knowledge of California's natural and artificial landscapes.