SOUTHLAND CALIFORNIA SUMMARIZED HISTORY, FACTS,  AND DEMOGRAPHICS 

Economic Activities

Mining

California is the fourth-ranking state in annual mineral output by value, after Texas, Louisiana, and Alaska. Crude oil and natural gas account for two-thirds of the value of California's mineral production. California ranks third in the nation in the production of oil, behind Texas and Louisiana. The oil fields of Kern County and the Los Angeles area are the most important. Oil is also produced in offshore waters. Natural gas wells are found in the Sacramento Valley and in all the oil-producing areas. Yet reserves of natural gas are seriously depleted, so much so that the state imports most of the natural gas it consumes each year. The bulk of natural gas piped into California originates in the province of Alberta, Canada, and the states of New Mexico and Texas.

                           Offshore Oil "Rig"                                         Gold mining in the 1800's

California leads all other states in the production of sand and gravel for construction, Portland cement, diatomite, asbestos, and sodium sulfate. In addition, much of the world's supply of boron minerals comes from Searles Lake and other areas in California's Mojave Desert. The state is also the nation's second largest producer of feldspar, soda ash, titanium, and magnesium compounds, and the third largest producer of gold, perlite, and pumice. Other minerals found in California include stone, lime, clays, gypsum, talc, silver, gemstones, salt, copper, molybdenum, peat, and various high grade iron ores. In spite of the great variety of minerals found in the state, large quantities must be imported to meet the needs of California, which is the nation's leading consumer of minerals.