Yosemite National Park

By Jackie Guzman

Location• Yosemite National

Park is located in east central California.

• It east of the city of Modesto, California.

• Near the scenic foothills of the Sierra Nevada

Mountains.

History

• 2,200 B.C. to 1833 A.D. The Miwoks inhabit Yosemite.

• 1864 President Lincoln signs the Yosemite Land Grant into law.

• 1868 John Muir arrives in Yosemite.

• 1890 Yosemite National Park is established by the U.S. Congress.

Cultural and Economic

Importance• The native people of Yosemite developed

a complex culture rich in tradition, religion, songs, and political affiliations.

• Writers, artists, and photographers have always visited Yosemite for inspiration.

• Yosemite significantly contributes to the regional economies of the six counties surrounding it.

Yosemite Today• Over 4 million people visit Yosemite each

year. • Things to do: backpacking, biking, bird

watching, boating, camping, rock climbing, skiing, fishing, hiking, horseback riding, kayaking, mountaineering, rafting, star gazing, and much more.

Fun Facts• Yosemite’s cliffs, waterfalls, steep

mountains and deep lakes were all formed over millions of years by earthquakes, glaciers and numerous other forces of nature.

• At 2,425 feet, Yosemite Falls is the 5th tallest waterfall in the world.

• Yosemite has more than 300 species of animals.

Comprehension Questions

• Where in California is Yosemite located?

• When was Yosemite National Park established?

• How did Yosemite affect the economy and culture of California?

• Why is Yosemite a popular place to visit today?

• What are some interesting facts about Yosemite?

Works Cited• Sierra Club

www.sierraclub.org• Central Valley

http://www.centralvalley.com/portal/parks/yosemite/resources/story/1695188p-1770706c.html

• CNNhttp://www.cnn.com/WEATHER/9701/02/

west.coast.floods/calif_yosemite.map.lg.jpg• Student organizations

http://studentorgs.utexas.edu/cssa/2005newyear/Contest/page_04.htm

• Terra-Questhttp://www.terra-quest.com/highsights/valley/

timeline.html• National Park Service

http://www.nps.gov/yose/nature/history.htm