Physical Map of California showing the geographical features of the state such as rivers, lakes, mountain peaks, elevations, plateaus, plains, topography, water bodies and many other California physical features.
California Physical Map
PDF Map - Free Download California Physical Map, United States
California Maps
Physical Features of California
California features one of the most diverse landscapes in the United States, ranging from towering mountain ranges to expansive deserts and a long Pacific coastline. The Sierra Nevada dominates the eastern part of the state, while the Central Valley forms a broad, fertile lowland between mountain systems. Coastal ranges run parallel to the Pacific Ocean, creating dramatic cliffs and beaches. Major rivers like the Sacramento and San Joaquin flow through the interior, while deserts such as the Mojave and Colorado define the arid southeast.
Major Landforms in California
| Landform | Type | Region | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sierra Nevada | Mountain range | East | High rugged mountain chain |
| Central Valley | Valley | Central | Large fertile agricultural basin |
| Coast Ranges | Mountain range | West | Parallel coastal mountains |
| Mojave Desert | Desert | Southeast | Arid desert landscape |
| Colorado Desert | Desert | South | Hot low desert basin |
| Klamath Mountains | Mountain range | North | Forested rugged terrain |
| Great Basin | Basin | Northeast | Dry interior basin region |
| San Joaquin Valley | Valley | Central | Southern part of valley |
| Sacramento Valley | Valley | Central | Northern agricultural region |
| Channel Islands | Island group | Southwest | Offshore coastal islands |
Major Mountain Ranges in California
| Mountain Range | Region | Highest Peak | Elevation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sierra Nevada | East | Mount Whitney | 14,505 ft |
| Coast Ranges | West | Mount Linn | 8,098 ft |
| Klamath Mountains | North | Mount Eddy | 9,025 ft |
| Transverse Ranges | South | San Gorgonio Mountain | 11,503 ft |
| Peninsular Ranges | South | San Jacinto Peak | 10,834 ft |
Major Rivers and Water Bodies in California
| Name | Type | Region | Notable Feature |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sacramento River | River | North | Longest river in state |
| San Joaquin River | River | Central | Flows through Central Valley |
| Colorado River | River | Southeast | Forms state boundary |
| Russian River | River | Northwest | Coastal river system |
| Klamath River | River | North | Important salmon habitat |
| Lake Tahoe | Lake | Northeast | Deep alpine lake |
| Salton Sea | Lake | South | Largest inland lake |
| Clear Lake | Lake | North | Oldest lake in region |
| Mono Lake | Lake | East | Saline desert lake |
| Pacific Ocean | Ocean | West | Extensive coastal boundary |
Elevation and Terrain in California
California has extreme elevation contrasts, from the highest peak in the contiguous United States to the lowest point in North America. Mount Whitney is the highest point, while Death Valley marks the lowest elevation. The terrain includes mountains, valleys, deserts, and coastal plains.
| Feature | Elevation / Detail |
|---|---|
| Highest Point | Mount Whitney 鈥� 14,505 ft |
| Lowest Point | Death Valley 鈥� 282 ft below sea level |
| Average Elevation | 2,900 ft |
| Terrain Type | Mountains, valleys, deserts |
California Physical Map Facts
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| State | California |
| Total Area | 163,696 sq mi |
| Land Area | 155,779 sq mi |
| Water Area | 7,917 sq mi |
| Highest Point | Mount Whitney |
| Lowest Point | Death Valley |
| Longest River | Sacramento River |
| Largest Lake | Salton Sea |
| Major Landforms | Sierra Nevada, Central Valley |
| Main Water Bodies | Sacramento River, Pacific Ocean |
| Terrain Type | Highly varied landscapes |
| Coastline | Pacific Ocean coastline |
Physical Map OF U.S. 50 States - Click on State name for its Physical Map
- Alabama Physical Map
- Alaska Physical Map
- Arizona Physical Map
- Arkansas Physical Map
- California Physical Map
- Colorado Physical Map
- Connecticut Physical Map
- Delaware Physical Map
- Florida Physical Map
- Georgia Physical Map
- Hawaii Physical Map
- Idaho Physical Map
- Illinois Physical Map
- Indiana Physical Map
- Iowa Physical Map
- Kansas Physical Map
- Kentucky Physical Map
- Louisiana Physical Map
- Maine Physical Map
- Maryland Physical Map
- Massachusetts Physical Map
- Michigan Physical Map
- Minnesota Physical Map
- Mississippi Physical Map
- Missouri Physical Map
- Montana Physical Map
- Nebraska Physical Map
- Nevada Physical Map
- New Hampshire Physical Map
- New Jersey Physical Map
- New Mexico Physical Map
- New York Physical Map
- North Carolina聽Physical Map
- North Dakota Physical Map
- Ohio Physical Map
- Oklahoma Physical Map
- Oregon Physical Map
- Pennsylvania Physical Map
- Rhode Island Physical Map
- South聽Carolina聽Physical Map
- South Dakota Physical Map
- Tennessee Physical Map
- Texas Physical Map
- Utah Physical Map
- Vermont Physical Map
- Virginia Physical Map
- Washington Physical Map
- West Virginia Physical Map
- Wisconsin Physical Map
- Wyoming Physical Map
River Maps of the 50 U.S. States 鈥� Click on a State to View Its River Map
- Alabama River Map
- Alaska River Map
- Arizona River Map
- Arkansas River Map
- California River Map
- Colorado River Map
- Connecticut River Map
- Delaware River Map
- Florida River Map
- Georgia River Map
- Hawaii River Map
- Idaho River Map
- Illinois River Map
- Indiana River Map
- Iowa River Map
- Kansas River Map
- Kentucky River Map
- Louisiana River Map
- Maine River Map
- Maryland River Map
- Massachusetts River Map
- Michigan River Map
- Minnesota River Map
- Mississippi River Map
- Missouri River Map
- Montana River Map
- Nebraska River Map
- Nevada River Map
- New Hampshire River Map
- New Jersey River Map
- New Mexico River Map
- New York River Map
- North Carolina River Map
- North Dakota River Map
- Ohio River Map
- Oklahoma River Map
- Oregon River Map
- Pennsylvania River Map
- Rhode Island River Map
- South Carolina River Map
- South Dakota River Map
- Tennessee River Map
- Texas River Map
- Utah River Map
- Vermont River Map
- Virginia River Map
- Washington River Map
- West Virginia River Map
- Wisconsin River Map
- Wyoming River Map
Location Map of California Cities
- Where is Berkeley
- Where is Clovis
- Where is Corona
- Where is Elk Grove
- Where is Escondido
- Where is Fontana
- Where is Fremont
- Where is Fullerton
- Where is Garden Grove
- Where is Hayward
- Where is Huntington Beach
- Where is Lancaster
- Where is Moreno Valley
- Where is Oceanside
- Where is Ontario
- Where is Orange
- Where is Oxnard
- Where is Palmdale
- Where is Pasadena
- Where is Pomona
- Where is Rancho Cucamonga
- Where is Roseville
- Where is Salinas
- Where is Santa Clara
- Where is Santa Clarita
- Where is Santa Rosa
- Where is Sunnyvale
- Where is Thousand Oaks
- Where is Torrance
- Where is Vallejo
- Where is Victorville
- Where is Visalia