Занимательное лингвострановедение. Текст 5

California was first known simply as The Golden State, because of the Gold Rush of 1848. It was also sometimes known as El Dorado and, because of its wine connections. The Grape State. The “Gold” was changed to “Golden” by 1867, and since then the state has been known as The Golden State, which because the state’s official nickname in 1968 (appearing also on license plates).

Although California was sighted by Spanish navigator Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo in 1542, its first Spanish mission (at San Diego) was not established until 1769. California became a U.S. territory in 1847 when Mexico surrendered it to John C. Fremont. On Jan. 24, 1848, James W. Marshall discovered gold at Sutter’s Mill, starting the California Gold Rush and bringing settlers to the state in large numbers. By 1964, California had surpassed New York to become the most populous state. One reason for this may be that more immigrants settle in California than any other state-more than one-third of the nation’s total in 1994. Asians and Pacific Islanders led than influx.

The sights of the State:

Death Valley
Whitney (14,491 ft
Lassen Park
Yosemite National Park
Disneyland
Hollywood
The Golden Gate Bridge

Webster´s English Encyclopedic Dictionary. – Oxford University Press. — 2007

Ключи:

Death Valley – is in the southeast is 282 ft below sea level, the lowest point in the nation.

Mt. Whitney (14,491 ft) is the highest point in the contiguous 48 states.

Lassen Park is one of two active U.S. volcanoes outside of Alaska and Hawaii; its last eruptions were reordered in 1917.

Yosemite National Park – is located in the Sierra Nevada, it is a glacier-scoured area of great beauty.

Disneyland – is a huge theme park in Anaheim, which in part celebrates America’s hometowns and small-town values, was opened by Disney in 1955.

Hollywood – is a community within the city of Los Angeles. The center of the American film industry.

The Golden Gate Bridge – is a bridge between Marin Country and San Francisco.