Fresno County, County administrative division in Central Valley, California
Fresno County is an administrative division in the Central Valley of California that extends between the Sierra Nevada mountains and the coastal ranges. The region includes urban centers, agricultural plains and foothill landscapes across an area of more than 6,000 square miles (15,500 square kilometers).
The administrative division was formed in 1856 during the gold mining era, with Millerton serving as the first seat. In the late 19th century, the seat shifted south when railroad lines reached the city of Fresno.
The name comes from the Spanish word for ash tree, which early settlers found growing along the riverbanks. The area today shows a farming culture with roadside fruit stands and produce markets throughout the valley floor.
Major routes run along State Routes 99, 41 and 168, which cross the valley floor and connect to foothill communities. Visitors find services and lodging in the larger cities, while rural areas show long distances between towns.
Three Sierra Nevada national parks lie within the eastern boundaries of the administrative area. Many travelers use the urban centers as a base for day trips into the high country.
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