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. What does proximity mean in this context, use context clues.

points: one point for each definition, one point for each explanation, one point for proper mechanics

Proximity in this context means the closeness or nearness of California to the Pacific Ocean. It refers to the fact that the state is located adjacent to the ocean, running along its entire western border. The sentence indicates that this geographical feature has had a significant impact on the development of cities in California. The usage of the word proximity suggests that the ocean's presence and close distance to the state have influenced the growth, economy, and history of cities like Los Angeles, San Diego, San Jose, and San Francisco. Furthermore, the location of San Francisco on the San Francisco Bay, which is connected to the Pacific Ocean, is emphasized as a contributing factor to the city's maritime commerce and overall size.