California, located on the western coast of the United States, is divided into 58 counties and contains over 480 incorporated cities and towns, with Los Angeles being the largest city and one of the most populous in the country. Other major cities include San Diego, San Jose, San Francisco, Fresno, and Sacramento, the state capital. California is the most populous state in the U.S., with a population exceeding 39 million people. Spanning an area of about 163,696 square miles, it is the third-largest state by area, with a diverse geography that ranges from the Pacific coastline to mountain ranges and deserts. The state is home to several major international airports, including Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), San Francisco International Airport (SFO), San Diego International Airport (SAN), and Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International Airport (SJC), which serve as major gateways for domestic and international travel. California boasts an extensive higher education system, including prestigious institutions such as Stanford University, the University of California system (with campuses in Berkeley, Los Angeles, San Diego, and others), California State University (the largest public university system in the U.S.), and many private colleges. The healthcare system in California is vast, featuring a wide array of hospitals and medical centers, including some of the most advanced in the nation. Notable medical institutions include Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, UCSF Medical Center in San Francisco, Stanford Health Care, and UCLA Medical Center, which are renowned for specialized care, research, and teaching. The state also has several major children’s hospitals, including Children’s Hospital Los Angeles and UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital.