SOUTHLAND CALIFORNIA SUMMARIZED HISTORY, FACTS, AND DEMOGRAPHICS
CALIFORNIA GEOGRAPHY (Demographics Table of Contents)
SoilsThe most productive soils in California are the alluvial soils of the Central Valley and of the Imperial, San Fernando, Salinas, and Santa Clara valleys. These soils, composed of materials washed down from the surrounding mountains, can be intensively cultivated when irrigated.
The soils of the desert lands lack organic matter but are rich in trace elements. Although they are productive when irrigated, the desert lands are often used for grazing because sufficient irrigation water is not available. Large sections of the state are covered by soils generally not suited for cultivation because they occur in rough and mountainous country. However, in some areas, especially in the northwest, these soils support extensive coniferous forests.
(Demographics Table of Contents)