File:California (MODIS 2017-07-07).jpg

English: On June 17, 2017, NASA’s Terra satellite flew over California, allowing the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) aboard that satellite to capture a true-color image of a cloudless late spring day across the state.

The geography of California is dominated by the Central Valley, a flat and productive valley that stretches about 450 miles (720 km) in the heart of the state and spreading about 40 – 60 miles (60-100 km) wide. The valley has long been known as a rich agricultural area, with more than half of the fruits, vegetables and nuts grown in the United States produced in the Valley. The snow-capped Sierra Nevada Mountains can be seen east of the Central Valley and the Coast Ranges sit in the west.

The reasonable rainfall, plentiful sun, and delightful temperatures year-round not only grow crops abundantly, but the mild climate has proven welcoming to human population growth. Both the agricultural richness and impact of human growth can be seen in this image. The greens seen in the valley represent vegetation – primarily agriculture. The entire valley is washed in green. Interrupting the green, however, are streaks and smudges of gray. These are man-made structures, such as highway and buildings and mark cities and major roadways. Major cities within the Central Valley include, from north to south: Chico, Sacramento, Fresno, and Bakersfield.