proximity- paragraph 1; spanned- paragraph 2; obscured- paragraph 3; ceded- paragraph 4; - paragraph 5; frenzy- paragraph 6
5 points: one point for each definition, one point for each explanation, one point for proper mechanics
One of the main defining geographical features of California is the proximity to the Pacific
Ocean, which runs along the entire length of the state’s western border. Throughout
California’s history, the Pacific Ocean has played a central role in influencing the
development of cities. Even today, all of California’s largest cities lie near the ocean: Los
Angeles, San Diego, San Jose, and San Francisco, in order of population size. San Francisco,
in particular, owes much of its history and development to its location on one of the
world’s greatest natural harbors, the San Francisco Bay Area. Due to its particular location,
San Francisco has become an established maritime commerce center and one of the
largest cities in the United States.��
The San Francisco Bay Area is enclosed by land on the north, east, and south sides. To the
west, there is a waterway opening to the Pacific Ocean. This waterway is known as the
Golden Gate, and it is spanned by the Golden Gate Bridge. The city of San Francisco lies
on the northern end of the San Francisco Peninsula, which isthe strip of land that encloses
part of the west side of the bay, partially separating the bay from the Pacific Ocean.��
During the early period of European exploration, the coastal regions were the first areas
of California that explorers came across. This was because explorers typically sailed to the
Americas, so naturally the coastal regions were more easily accessible to them. However,
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San Francisco, the City by the Bay
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San Francisco was a notable exception to this rule. Historians believe that San Francisco’s
geography and foggy weather made the bay difficult to notice. Because the entrance to
the bay was so narrow and obscured by fog most of the time, explorers failed to discover
it until a Spanish expedition accidentally came across it in 1769. They were actually
travelling north by land in an attempt to find Monterey Bay. It was a full six years later
before explorers entered the San Francisco Bay by ship.��
Initially settled by the Spanish, San Francisco was ceded to Mexico after Mexico won its
independence from Spain in 1821, and in 1848 the United Statestook control of the region
after the MexicanͲAmerican War. During the same year, the California Gold Rush was
starting. It was during this period that San Francisco was established as a maritime center
for the territory. The state saw a huge population boom as prospective miners began to
flock to the state. In 1848, 6,000 people came to California, and in 1849 at least 80,000
arrived by land or by sea. To meet the demands of the growing population, cargo ships
flooded through the Golden Gate, carrying food, tools, clothing, building material,
farmers, businessmen, and more people looking to take advantage of the gold rush. The
San Francisco Bay was designated as an official port of entry for ships bearing foreign
goods and was in a prime location for access to gold country. Between January 1848 and
December 1849, the population of the city of San Francisco grew from 1,000 to 25,000.��
After the gold rush, San Francisco was the largest city in the United States west of the
Mississippi until it was overtaken by Los Angeles in 1920. However, the city continues to
support a large urban population and owes much of its success to both its history and
unique location. The city’s largest industry is tourism, due to its many landmarks and
frequent portrayal in pop culture. In particular, the city is known for its hills, the iconic
Golden Gate Bridge, and its waterfront fishing attractions (such as Fisherman’s Wharf).
San Francisco is also an important center for banking and finance—partly due to the
legacy of the California Gold Rush, which established the city as a center for commerce.��
From the days of early European exploration, through the chaotic frenzy of the California
Gold Rush, and into the present day, San Francisco’s development has been influence
d by its proximity to the Pacific Ocean. The ocean has served as a major factor in the growth and development of the city, especially in terms of trade and maritime commerce. The city's location on the San Francisco Bay has also played a significant role in its history, as it has provided direct access to the Pacific Ocean and served as a natural harbor for ships.
The geography of San Francisco, particularly the presence of the fog that often obscures the entrance to the bay, initially made it difficult for explorers to discover the area. It wasn't until a Spanish expedition accidentally stumbled upon the bay in 1769 that its existence was recognized. This delay in discovery highlights the challenges that the geography of San Francisco presented to early explorers.
San Francisco's history also includes a period of Spanish and Mexican rule before it was ceded to the United States in 1848 after the Mexican-American War. This was a significant turning point in the city's development, as it occurred during the California Gold Rush. The influx of people and resources to San Francisco during this time transformed the city into a bustling maritime center and contributed to its continued growth as a major urban hub.
Today, San Francisco remains an important city on the west coast of the United States, thanks in large part to its unique location and historical significance. The city's thriving tourism industry, iconic landmarks such as the Golden Gate Bridge, and its role in banking and finance are all a testament to the lasting impact of its geographical position.
Overall, the proximity to the Pacific Ocean, the presence of the San Francisco Bay, and the influence of the California Gold Rush have all shaped the development of San Francisco throughout its history. The city's success as a major urban center can be attributed, in part, to these geographical factors.