The origin of the name California is not exactly clear. In Spanish, california means broad bay. However, it is believed to be derived from the Spanish word cala (very small bay) and the Latin formix (arched), referring to the natural arch forms in the rocks, such as at Cabo San Lucas. The area called Alta California was colonized by the Spanish and became an independent republic along with the rest of Mexico in 1821. It separated from Mexico in 1846 and after the Mexican-American War, Mexico ceded the territory to the United States. On September 9, 1850, California became the 31st state in the United States. California is the most populous state in the USA. The four largest cities are Los Angeles, San Diego, San Jose and San Francisco. Not only climate and geographical conditions are very diverse, but also the inhabitants of the country. With the gold rush of 1848 to 1855, many people came to the country hoping to find happiness and wealth. They brought great changes and unprecedented economic growth. Later, at the beginning of the 20th century, Los Angeles developed into the center of the entertainment industry. This was accompanied by a rapid increase in tourism. Along with thriving agriculture, other industries such as aviation, oil, computers and information technology help California rank among the top ten economies in the world. Check topschoolsoflaw.com for brief history of the state of California.