sacramento

Sacramento is the capital city of the U.S. state of California. It is located at the confluence of the Sacramento and American rivers in the northern part of California’s Central Valley, and it serves as the county seat of Sacramento County. The city anchors the Sacramento–Arden-Arcade–Roseville metropolitan area.

The area was long inhabited by Indigenous peoples before European settlement. The settlement that would become Sacramento emerged in the 1830s around John Sutter’s trading post. Named for the river, the town grew rapidly during the California Gold Rush era and was incorporated in 1850. Sacramento became the state capital in 1854, centralizing government operations and shaping the city’s development as a government and transportation hub.

Economy and culture in Sacramento are driven by government administration, health care, education, and technology, alongside active services and logistics sectors. Notable cultural and historic institutions include the California State Capitol complex, the Old Sacramento historic district, the California State Railroad Museum, and the Crocker Art Museum. The city hosts various cultural events, fairs, and festivals throughout the year.

Geographically, Sacramento lies in the Sacramento Valley with surrounding agricultural landscapes and river corridors. The climate is Mediterranean, featuring hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters. The city’s topography includes leveed waterways and urban neighborhoods linked by a growing network of parks and trails.

Transportation in Sacramento combines major highways, including Interstate 5 and Interstate 80, with regional rail and bus services. Sacramento International Airport provides air access, while Amtrak and light rail services connect the city regionally. The area is also served by a network of bicycle routes and pedestrian-friendly streets, supporting a multi-modal transportation system. The city’s population is diverse, with about 525,000 residents in the city and around 2.3 million in the wider metropolitan area.