Now in its fourth edition, Rediscovering the Golden State: California Geography examines this unique state’s incredibly diverse landscapes, and how geography and geographic change influences everything from the state’s natural systems and cycles, to its agriculture and more advanced industries, to human migration, cultures, and urban planning. Exploring California through a geographic lens reveals how the field has evolved to cross traditional boundaries, connect local and global issues, and provide the insights that lead to practical solutions to problems new and old. Challenging the reader to look beyond stereotypes and assumptions, this book encourages active participation in planning the state’s dynamic future. And this project makes teaching and learning about the geography of California more convenient, exciting, and rewarding for instructors and students. Going beyond a scientific analysis of natural features and environmental processes, this book illustrates how social, political, and economic divides can be bridged through the study of geography and the connections it brings to light. From geology, weather and climate, biogeography, and hydrology, we cover the state’s physical geography. And from demography and migration, to cultures and economies, to rural and urban geography, we monitor the state’s human geography pulse and then make the vital connections. California continues to lead the nation in population, economics (5th largest in the world), agriculture, natural and cultural diversity, and a host of other categories. This powerful state has earned this powerful publication. This timely and versatile book will prove useful to Californians in business, education, government, and to concerned citizens and curious readers seeking to learn more about the Golden State.

Beaches, mountains, valleys, farmlands, and deserts are all part of the unique geography of California. Students will learn about each of these regions with this primary source e-book that builds students’ reading skills and social studies content knowledge. The intriguing primary source maps, letters, documents, and images provide authentic nonfiction reading materials and keep students interested in learning. Text features include a glossary, index, captions, sidebars, and table of contents. This book connects to California state studies standards and the NCSS/C3 Framework and features appropriately leveled text to meet the needs of students reading at different levels. Additional features include Read and Respond and a culminating activity that prompt students to dive deeper into the text for additional reading and learning.

California is split into four regions: the coastal region, the Central Valley, the mountain region, and the desert region. Its unique geography means that Californians can go surfing and skiing-all on the same day! This Interactiv-eBook will introduce students to California's diverse geography with engaging primary source documents. Primary sources help students achieve literacy in social studies by teaching them how to investigate and reflect on various social, economic, cultural, and geographical topics. This title integrates social studies content and literacy, and will engage students while enriching content-area instruction. Important text features include a glossary, index, captions, sidebars, and table of contents to increase understanding and build academic vocabulary. This leveled text offers instructional opportunities to guide students to increased fluency and comprehension of nonfiction text and is aligned to the National Council for Social Studies (NCSS) and other national and state standards. The Read and Respond activity immerses students in the content through diverse, engaging activities related to the content. Outline It! extends learning outside of the classroom with an activity that students can respond to at school or home. Explore California with this Interactiv-eBook!

Take an active role in planning the future of California with the help of this informative book. Selby brings readers on an exploration of this diverse state, examining both its physical and cultural geography. The new second edition reflects the dynamic, stimulating, and thought-provoking environments and landscapes of the Golden State. And it clearly demonstrates how unequaled diversity, powerful connections, and accelerated change continue to shape this land.