Discover the 3 States That Border California

Nevada

The 36th state in the nation, Nevada was admitted to the union in 1864. The state is nicknamed the Silver State, largely in part because people from all over the country flocked to the territory when word spread of gold and silver found throughout the lands. Nevada is called as such because, in Spanish, Nevada means “snow-capped,” which is what the Spanish saw the Sierra Nevadas as when they explored the area.

Nevada was largely inhabited around 14,800 years ago and mainly by the Northern and Southern Paiute, Western Shoshone, and the Washoe native tribes. In 1519, Spain laid claim to the lands that are currently Nevada and other western states. Three hundred years ago, Mexico became independent and the land was transferred to the newly formed country. It was in 1848, after the Mexican-American War, that the US took control of the Mexican territories.

Climatically and geographically, Nevada is a dry state and, in fact, it is the driest state in the country, as well as the most mountainous. The state is home to Rocky Mountain goats, black bears, antelopes, desert bighorn sheep, western diamondback rattlesnakes, and banded gila monsters, among others.

Currently, Nevada has a population of 3.1 million. Carson City is the capital of the state, although Las Vegas is its most populous city. Las Vegas gets a whopping 42 million visitors every year. Nevada borders California to the east.

Arizona

Arizona became the 48th state admitted to the union in 1912. Arizona was named as such because Juan Bautista de Anza, who was one of the Spanish explorers that first arrived in the lands, called it a “place of oaks” which is translated from Spanish as Arizona. Arizona’s nickname is the Grand Canyon State because of its most famous natural formation located in the state.

The state was first inhabited around 20,000 years ago. The main Native American tribes that were living in the lands of what is now Arizona include the Hopi, Apache, Navajo, and Zuni. Today, there are 22 tribes living in reservations throughout the state. It was in the 1530s that the Spanish arrived in the lands and claimed it as theirs. When Mexico claimed its independence, all the lands were transferred over to the new country. The US took control after the Mexican-American War in 1848.
Climatically and geographically, Arizona’s weather is arid, except for the northeastern part, which is wet and humid. The northern part is more mountainous, whereas the southern part of the state is more desert-oriented. The wildlife that lives in the state includes mountain lions, desert bighorn sheep, black bears, jaguarundi, and coatimundi.

Currently, 6 million people are living in the state and its most populated city, Phoenix, is also the capital of Arizona. The state is rapidly growing because people are moving from more expensive states to Arizona to retire. Arizona borders California to the east.

Oregon

Nicknamed the Beaver State, Oregon was the 33rd state to enter the union in 1859. It is called the Beaver State because of the overabundance of beavers the early European settlers used to trap to get their fur. There are two theories on how Oregon was named. One is derived from the French word “ouragan,” which means hurricane, for the state’s windy areas. The second theory comes from the Chinook word “oolighan,” which is the fish that the Native American tribe ate in the state.

Native American tribes inhabited the area around 15,000 years ago. Many of the tribes included the Shasta, Tillamook, Chinook, Nez Perce, and the Paiute. Europeans arrived in the 1500s and both Great Britain and Spain claimed these lands as theirs. The land, however, was sold to the US in 1803. Known as the Louisiana Purchase, President Thomas Jefferson took an interest in these lands and sent an expedition to map the territory.

Oregon’s climate is Mediterranean, although the winters can be wet. It has the distinction of having the deepest lake in the United States, Crater Lake, which is 1,943 feet deep. The wildlife that inhabits the area includes gray wolves, Roosevelt elk, sage grouse, wolverines, beavers, and even Pacific giant salamanders. Oregon’s capital is Salem, but the biggest city in the state is Portland. Located in the Pacific Northwest, Oregon has a population of 4.2 million and borders California to the north.

Baja California

This article would be remiss if it didn’t include Baja California. After all, California borders this Mexican state. It was once part of the same country. Spain controlled the area and it was one California, not two. When it became part of Mexico after its independence, it was still a united California. It wasn’t until 1848 after the Mexican-American War that the Treaty of Guadalupe stated the boundaries of the territories the US gained. It effectively split California in half.

The state is home to the largest and most popular wine-producing region in Mexico, located in the Valle de Guadalupe (known as Mexico’s Napa Valley). It is also home to several islands including Guadalupe Island, the Todos Santos Islands, and Cedros Islands. Moreover, Baja California is known for its amazing beaches that are perfect for surfing. The Caesar salad was invented in Tijuana by an Italian immigrant and the margarita was invented in Ensenada at the Riviera, a former hotel.

Baja California is a diverse state geographically. It has beaches by the coast, forests, and deserts, as well. The state is home to a diverse group of animals. The wildlife living in the Mexican state of Baja California includes mule deer, bighorn sheep, bobcats, coyotes, and rabbits. Currently, Baja California has a population of 3.7 million and its most populous city is Tijuana, even though its capital city is Mexicali.