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About Sacramento County
Sacramento County lies at the heart of the Central Valley of California at the confluence of the American and Sacramento Rivers. With the Sacramento River along its western boundary, the county extends eastward to the earliest foothills of the Sierra Nevadas. The elevation ranges from 20 feet below sea level to nearly a thousand feet in the hills. The Mokelumne River flows along part of the southern boundary.
California's capitol city, Sacramento, along with its metropolitan area, covers a large part of the county. Agricultural land covers most of the rest of it. The county was formed in 1850 as one of the original 27 counties of California. The population, as of 2000, is 1,223,499, and 994 square miles are included within its boundaries. Interstate 5, Interstate 80 and California Highway 99 are the major automobile routes serving the area.
The name "Sacramento" is Spanish for "Lord's Supper" and is reminiscent of the religious tendencies of the early explorers and settlers.
Sacramento County enjoys a coastal climate with mild winters and dry summers. Trees, bushes and green grass are common in the city. Many shiny, modern skyscrapers line the downtown skyline.