Dividing Northern and Southern California: Hypothetical State Boundaries and Their Implications

The concept of splitting Northern and Southern California into separate states has been a topic of debate for years. This article explores the hypothetical dividing line and the implications of such a division, considering political and geographical factors.

Geographical and Hypothetical Dividing Lines

If Northern and Southern California were to split into separate states, a common proposed dividing line is around the latitude of the Tehachapi Mountains, roughly running along the southern edge of the Sierra Nevada. This line would follow natural geographical features such as the Tehachapi Pass, and might include a division around major cities like Bakersfield and Fresno.

Another common reference point is the area around San Luis Obispo County, often considered the midpoint between the northern and southern parts of the state. This division would separate the more densely populated, urbanized southern regions including Los Angeles and San Diego from the more rural and less populated northern regions including San Francisco and Sacramento.

Political Implications of the Split

The idea of splitting California into two states is not a new one. The division would likely depend on which political party is proposing it. Democrats prefer a true East-West line somewhere south of the Bay Area and north of Los Angeles, ensuring that each state has a majority of democratic voters. This would create two democratic "Californias."

In contrast, Republicans would prefer a Northwest to Southeast line, making coastal Southern California a Democratic state and rural Northern California a Republican one. This would result in one poor, predominantly Republican state and one rich, predominantly Democratic state.

Possible Third State: Central California

There have even been proposals to separate California into three states: Northern, Southern, and Central California. This would make sense as it would separate the conservative Northern California from the more urbanized Southern California. However, Central California would still be a significant geographical and cultural entity in its own right.

No Formal Separation Line Exists

It's important to note that there is no specific line that defines Northern from Southern California, similar to how borders separate individual states. People have drawn lines in many ways to conceptualize this division:

Point Conception: Some people draw the line at Point Conception, where the coastline changes dramatically from warm beaches to chillier beaches. The Sierra Nevada is considered a Northern California 'thing' and is wholly in Northern California, and the Central Valley, often considered more 'northern' than 'southern,' is also wholly in Northern California. 36 Degrees North: Others draw the line at or around 36 degrees north, roughly halfway through the state. However, many people don't like this division as it puts much that is geographically and culturally 'northern' into Southern California. Bay Area and Sacramento: Another common line is drawn north of the Bay Area and Sacramento. This line is drawn to distinguish between areas where southern California is more urban and populated compared to the northern regions. Politically, the North is more conservative, while the South is more liberal urban areas. However, this line is not significant for dividing the state in any other meaningful way, as red counties still exist in what would be considered 'Southern California.'

Conclusion

The concept of splitting California into separate states remains a hypothetical one, with no official proposal or plan in place. Nonetheless, understanding the various geographical and political factors involved can provide insight into the potential implications of such a division.

As of now, there is no agreed-upon line that definitively separates Northern and Southern California, although people often draw the line in different ways to conceptualize the division. Whether through Democratic or Republican proposals, or through proposals to create three states, the line drawn would have significant implications for the governance and identity of the regions.