On the US map, the city of San Jose is located in the western part of the state of California.
The population of modern San Jose is more than one million inhabitants,
which puts him in third place in the state for this indicator (after Los Angeles and San Diego).
San Jose, California - history, features of the city
Source: Flickr / Ken Lund |
Briefly about history
San Jose is located in Silicon Valley and was formed in 1777 by the Spaniards, led by Lieutenant Jose Joaquin Moraga. Initially, the city was named El Pueblo de Jose de Guadalupe, which translates as “the settlement of St. Joseph on the Guadeloupe River”.
During the first two centuries of its existence, the development of San Jose was slow. By 1850, when it was granted the status of a city, the population was 4 thousand inhabitants. By 1900, the number of inhabitants increased and reached 21 thousand people.
Almost until the outbreak of World War II, the entire urban economy was based on agriculture. After the end of the war, the city's economy began to develop rapidly, new industries appeared (for example, high-tech industries). The rapid construction of research complexes began.
Modern San Jose
Today, San Jose holds a leading position in advanced innovative technologies, as well as the development and implementation of new projects in the field of technology. Its prime location in the heart of Silicon Valley has led to rapid growth in business and, with it, population, as well as infrastructure development.
The region is home to over 6,600 high-tech companies, employing over 250,000 residents. Modern San Jose is a major technology business hub. It houses the offices of the world's largest corporations (Google Inc, Ebay, Microsoft, IBM, etc.).
There are many universities in the city, graduates of which join the ranks of engineers working on the development of the local economy every year.
The city itself is unique and very different from other American cities - it has an atmosphere of technology and business. However, there is an acute issue of the lack of land and expensive real estate. The cost of living in this city is considered one of the most expensive in the United States. The main reason is the high cost of housing, rent, utility bills.
San Jose is home to one of California's largest airports with dozens of international flights every day.
San Jose resembles the city of the future - giant houses made of concrete and glass, multiple construction sites. There are few green spaces on the streets of the city, in addition, traffic jams often occur here due to the huge amount of transport. Despite the apparent attractiveness, not everything is as rosy as it seems at first glance. An example of this is the collapse of the Internet market that occurred in the early 2000s, when many companies were bankrupt and their employees found themselves on the streets.
Climate
San Jose has a comfortable Mediterranean climate, perhaps the most pleasant in Northern California. In summer, the weather is very comfortable, the average air temperature is +21 degrees. In the winter season, little snow falls here with an average air temperature in January of up to 10 degrees. Most of the precipitation in the region falls between November and April.
The city's attractions
The city has many museums, amusement parks, a water park and an observatory.
Kelly Park is of particular interest. This is a huge outdoor entertainment center. Walking through the picturesque Japanese Garden will not leave indifferent any of the visitors. There is also a small zoo and a beautiful botanical garden, where the rarest plant species grow. There is a historical museum on the territory of the park, the expositions of which will be interesting for visitors of all ages to get acquainted with.
Winchester Mystery House |
Winchester Mystery House is one of the most mysterious landmarks. The construction of the house was carried out by the widow of a famous inventor, who gave the world a unique rifle. According to legends, after the death of the brilliant inventor, his widow (Sarah Winchester) began to disturb the souls of people who died from a rifle. The woman decided that the luxurious house, in which 160 rooms and 40 staircases, would rest the troubled souls. According to the stories of the townspeople, many different mysterious stories are connected with this place. Many residents try to avoid this house even in the daytime.
The Children's Museum of Discovery is full of unique interactive exhibits that are of interest not only to children, but also to adults. Visitors within the walls of the museum get acquainted with the main laws of physics and chemistry, and also learn a lot about the world around them. Most of the exhibits are allowed to be touched by hands, visitors are given the opportunity to personally participate in the experiments.
Museum of Textiles. This is one of the few institutions of this kind in the United States. Here you can get acquainted with one of the most interesting national crafts. The first textile factories appeared in San Jose back in the 18th century; work at them was one of the main sources of income for the local population. The museum contains old samples of factory equipment, in addition, here you can see textiles made more than a century ago.
The Museum of Science and Technology ( The T e ch Museum of Innovation ) is one of the most visited places. The expositions are constantly updated, showing how rapidly Internet technologies are developing. Tourists will see interactive exhibits in action, take part in interesting experiments, listen to thematic lectures, etc.
San Jose Museum of Art image Source: Flickr / Don DeBold |
The San Jose Museum of Art is located in the same building as the Science Museum. It was originally a small art gallery in 1969. Today, it is a major cultural center, where the creations of famous local sculptors and artists of the last century are presented. Within the walls of the museum, exhibitions and vernissage are often organized, which reflect the diversity of contemporary art.
Archaeological Museum ( Rosicrucian Museum ). Here are collected luxurious collections of exhibits found during the period of research in various areas of Egypt. Tourists can see artifacts dating back thousands of years. For example, the museum contains exhibits found during research of the famous Egyptian pyramids.
The Martin King Library was founded in 2003. It contains a huge number of books on various topics. Of particular interest are ancient manuscripts, history guides, maps, etc. The library doors are open to everyone.
The water park looks like a giant candy. There are many swimming pools designed for visitors of different ages, with slides and interesting water attractions. In addition, there are many cafes and restaurants on the territory of the water park. Live exotic plants are used to decorate the territory of the center.
Spina Farms Pumpkin Patch is an amusement park worth visiting for tourists with small children. It is made in the style of a farm, here you can learn a lot about the process of growing vegetables; in the summer, guests are offered walks through the pumpkin fields. There is a small cannery for processing vegetables on the territory, which can be visited as part of an excursion.
The Rotary Playgarden is a great family vacation spot in the city with picturesque landscaping, many playgrounds, attractions and fitness equipment. Here you can have a picnic, take a bike ride, and little guests will surely appreciate the bright slides and swings.
Conclusion
San Jose is a great vacation spot where everyone can choose from interesting activities. If, however, we consider the city from the point of view of a possible move to permanent residence, then it should be noted that San Jose is one of the safest, but most expensive large cities in America.
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