"Irresistible Paradise"

California entered the Union on Sept. 9, 1850 as the 31st state. Throughout its history, California has been known as a land of opportunity. In addition, Michael Elliot explains how Americans see California as a state of pleasure in his essay titled "Europeans Just Want to Have Fun". Every year, new residents and tourists flood into the state like water from a broken dam. The California state Department of Finance last week produced a population survey and …

…for wanting to move to such a troubled and crowded state. The truth is that California truly is a unique state that stands out from the rest of the country. It's plain to see why Californians and tourists love it so much, and why they would not trade the roaring ocean surf, towering, snowcapped mountains, fertile l valleys, redwood forests, enormous wilderness areas, torrid deserts or bustling cities for any other place in the world.