Our state's seal. (I got this from http://www.answers.com/topic/california)
A topo map of California. (This image is not mine, it is from http://www.ngdc.noaa.gov/cgi-bin/mgg/topo/state2.pl?region=ca.jpg)
I love California. Although I wasn't born here I have spent 12 years here in Los Angeles. This is my home now and I do feel like I belong here. It is a beautiful state with diverse environment. Of course we have our famous beaches, but as well as beautiful mountains to hike. Let's first talk about the state's vegetation (because I love plants!). You will find eight principal categories of native vegetation in California. These are : coniferous forest, oak woodland (pretty much California's signature forest), coniferous woodland, California prairie, chaparral, sagebrush, desert scrub and marsh-grass. One of the dominant vegetation type here in Los Angeles is Chaparral which is often called "Elfin forest", consisting of evergreen shrubs like chamise, scrub oak, manzanita, ceanothus and sage. The more southern part of Los Angeles is more of a sagebrush vegetation, consisting of sagebrush and other types of shrubs. Los Angeles is a very urban and populated city, but if you pay attention carefully, you will still able to see mother nature's signature everywhere by looking at flora and fauna.
One of the known features Los Angeles have is the Los Angeles River. A picture of it is on page 309 of the book and the caption: "The Los Angeles River, usually a trickle but a major stream after winter rains, is paved for much of its length across the Los Angeles Basin, giving the river the appearance of an unused freeway." Yes most parts of our river, especially the parts that goes through the city are quite ugly. It doesn't look at all like a natural river. They cemented around the river in order for water to flow quickly out to the ocean which is a way to prevent flooding. Because the water moves faster than it's natural flowing speed, many people are afraid of flash floods. Another environmental problem is that the land or the soil are not able to absorb water, causing pretty much perpetual dryness of land. I am aware that they are trying to revive the natural state of the river but it will take a lot of time and effort.
Another thing that is mentioned in the chapter is Los Angeles' dependence on automobiles. The city of Los Angeles grew because of the expanded circulation of automobiles. Freeways are very important to the city's growth. This is why suburbanization is very prevalent here in Los Angeles. People are able to live far away from the main city areas as long as they have cars to transport them there. This of course is not healthy for the city and the environment. According to the book, "the Los Angeles area has more cars per capita than any other part of the country; only a minimal public transportation system exists."
This is a video that shows a typical California freeway traffic. I only watched the first half. To be honest, the speaker irritates me. He complains about the traffic and talks about how California should expand the freeways. First of all, it's expensive. Second of all, expanded freeways will just encourage more people to drive around with their cars causing more pollution and gas price competitions. He complains about California wanting us to take the train or the bus. What in the flying fig is wrong with that? I commute to school every time and in a way I am saving money and saving the environment!
The video reminds me of this, ha ha:
(This is not my image, I got it from http://www.howwedrive.com/2009/02/page/2/. Actually I first saw this on The New Yorker tmblr.)
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