California is a state in the western United States, located on the Pacific coast. Its state capital is Sacramento. It is the most populous state in the US and, as of 2018, is home to three of the top ten most populous US cities (Los Angeles, San Diego, and San Jose). It became a part of Mexico when it became independent from Spanish colonial rule in 1821. An independent Californian Republic was declared in 1846, but California was eventually ceded to the United States in 1848 following the Mexican-American War of 1846–48. From 1848, it was the site of the California Gold Rush. The greater Los Angeles area is known for its entertainment industries and the greater San Francisco Bay area for its technology industries.