Santa Maria, California

Santa Barbara County

06-69196

Santa Maria is a city in Santa Barbara County near the coast of the U.S. state of California, United States. In November 2008, the estimated population was 111 972. Santa Maria has so Santa Barbara overtaken as the largest city in Santa Barbara County. The metropolitan area has a size of 51.2 km ².

History

Before European immigrants settled in the region, settled here from the tribe of Indians Chumash. After California was in 1850 became a U.S. state, the area began to today's Santa Maria to become attractive because of its fertile soil for farmers. After the founding of the town, the new settlement was first enter Grangerville, then Central City, before finally in 1885 the present name was adopted in order to avoid confusion with Central City, Colorado. Santa Maria was chosen because of the settlers Juan Pacifico Ontiveros had previously so called 25 years his possession. On 31 January 2005, the city had gained international fame with its opened trial against Michael Jackson.

Born in Santa Maria

• Marla Runyan (born 1969 ), impaired long-distance runner
• Christina Speer ( * 1987), volleyball player