CALIFORNIA (CHAPTER 15: PART 2). INTRODUCTION California is by some measures the country's most urbanized state. At the same time, it is the most agricultural.

CALIFORNIACALIFORNIA(CHAPTER 15: PART 2)(CHAPTER 15: PART 2)

INTRODUCTIONINTRODUCTIONCalifornia is by some measures the

country's most urbanized state.At the same time, it is the most

agricultural state in terms of total farm income.

Today's California's agricultural base, identifies two key problem areas, and highlights the tremendous competition for land use in certain areas.

AGRICULTUREAGRICULTURE(General)(General)

California's agriculture is broadly basedVariety of climatic regionsLarge internal market

Specialty crops are dominant throughout the state.

Total market value of agricultural crops (1998)16.6 billion dollarsThe country's most agricultural state in

terms of total farm income.

AGRICULTUREAGRICULTURE(Products)(Products)

Accounts for Accounts for virtually all of the U.S. production virtually all of the U.S. production of…of…almonds, artichokes, dates, figs, kiwifruit, olives, almonds, artichokes, dates, figs, kiwifruit, olives,

pistachios, and prunespistachios, and prunesProduces Produces more than half of the country'smore than half of the country's … …

alfalfa seed, avocados, lettuce, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, naval oranges, lemons, grapes, peaches, plums, apricots, cantaloupes, nectarines, strawberries, celery, and tomatoes

The leading producer of …asparagus, tangerines, spinach, pears, lima beans, onions, asparagus, tangerines, spinach, pears, lima beans, onions,

potted plants, and honeypotted plants, and honeyRanks third inRanks third in the sale of … the sale of …

cotton, sheep, dairy products; fourth in rice; fifth in beef cotton, sheep, dairy products; fourth in rice; fifth in beef cattlecattle

AGRICULTUREAGRICULTURE(Specialty Crops)(Specialty Crops)

Are grown on a large scale in only a few parts of the country

Require long growing seasonsExperience no local competition in

the demand areas (especially during winter)

AGRICULTUREAGRICULTURE(Specialization)(Specialization)

The national trend is towards increased specialization.Too difficult/expensive to handle more

than a few basic products and remain competitive.

Enhanced within California because of the diversity in climate and physiographyTemperaturePrecipitationSoil type/composition

AGRICULTUREAGRICULTURE(Problem Areas)(Problem Areas)

Land-use competitionAgricultural activitiesUrban developmentRecreational activities

Multiple-use concepts are applied in some casesMore often, one activity may render the area incapable of supporting another.

AGRICULTUREAGRICULTURE(Problem Areas)(Problem Areas)

Water SupplyAgriculture is a much greater consumer of water

than manufacturing or municipal use.70% of the precipitation falls in the North, BUT 80%

of the state's water is used in the South.California has more irrigated land than any other

state (8.5 million acres); Texas ranks second with only half that amount.

California accounts for more than 25% of all irrigated water usage in the U.S.

Map (pg 349) - state's major water movement systems.

AGRICULTUREAGRICULTURE(Problem Areas)(Problem Areas)

Water Supply (CONTINUED)

Much of the Imperial Valley and Coachella Valley face the problem of gradual salt build-up in the soil. Increasing amounts of water are needed to flush out the salt, resulting in a serious water quality problem down river in Mexico.

Northern Californians are not happy about the southward transfer of their water supply.

The economic and environmental costs of water transfer projects are quite high!

URBAN CALIFORNIA

POPULATION DENSITY

URBAN CALIFORNIAURBAN CALIFORNIASouthern Metropolis

L.A. is a polynucleated urban areaNo CBD, major public rail transport lines, inner city

warehouses, nor large-scale inner-city apartment complexes

Population density of Los Angeles is 6,100/mi2, compared to Philadelphia, which has 14,200/mi2.

Distance is often measured by minutes instead of miles.

Santa Barbara-San Diego (about 185 miles) urban landscape is occupied by more than 15 million people.

Smog is a major environmental problemLarge population concentration>>heavy reliance on

automobiles Effects are intensified during temperature inversions.

SAN DIEGO

URBAN CALIFORNIAURBAN CALIFORNIABay Area Metropolis-SAN FRANCISCO

Largest city on the West Coast 1850-1920Grew based on...

Great harborGold rush of 1848Location at the terminus of first transcontinental

railroadThe Bay Area has about 6.6 million people, with about

1/9 living in San Francisco.Configuration of the population around the harbor has

posed significant circulation problems.BART - an innovative attempt, based on computerized

systems, to ease the area's circulation problems.

SAN FRANCISCO

URBAN CALIFORNIAURBAN CALIFORNIA

Cities of the ValleySacramento

(1.5 million) The state capitalLargest of the Central Valley citiesA major agricultural processing city.

Fresno (861,800)Bakersfield (622,700)Stockton (533,400)

CALIFORNIACALIFORNIA(CHAPTER 15: PART 2)(CHAPTER 15: PART 2)