California: Third Largest U.S. State by Land Area

California ranks #3 in land area among the 50 U.S. states, spanning 423,970 km² (163,696 sq mi).

The Top Three

California's Geographic Distinctions

• Largest state on the West Coast
• Most populous: ~39 million (2023)
• Extreme elevation range: Badwater Basin (-282 ft) to Mt. Whitney (14,505 ft)
• Diverse biomes: Mediterranean coast, Central Valley, Sierra Nevada, Mojave Desert, redwood forests
• 12% of U.S. GDP — 5th largest economy globally if independent

Water Area Note

Including water, California drops to #4 (Michigan #2 with Great Lakes). Land area ranking is standard for state size comparisons.