Monterey   

California is the most populous state of the United States. Located on the Pacific coast of North America, it is bordered by Oregon, Nevada, Arizona and Mexico. California is known for its pleasant climate and ethnically diverse population. The name California is most commonly believed derived from a storied paradise peopled by black Amazons and ruled by Queen Califia.

The city of Monterey is located on Monterey Bay along the Pacific coast in central California. As of 2005, the city population was 30,641 inhabitants. The city is noted for its rich history of resident artists beginning in the late 1800s and its historically famed fishery. Monterey is home to the Naval Postgraduate School the Defense Language Institute, former Fort Ord, which is now the site of California State University Monterey Bay Fleet Numerical Oceanography Center.

In prehistoric times the Rumsen Ohlone tribe, one of seven linguistically distinct Ohlone groups in California, inhabited the area now known as Monterey. The city is famed for its abundant sea habitat, including kelp seaweed forests, sea otters and sea lions. The large diversity of sealife draws thousands of scuba divers each year to Monterey, which is considered one of the best regions for the sport in Northern California.