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Italy is one of the most naturally diverse countries in the world relatively to its size. The same could be said about California if it were a country. So, both are very close in this topic. California is more wild and pristine, though.
I visted both, IMO Italy is superior (without taking into account the cities and food lol...)
From Etna to South face of the Monte Bianco (what a beast !), Rocky coast with crystal clear water and mountains of Appennini behind (not cold like in Cali...)Cervino, Dolomites, blablabla...
Besides, Italy is 123 000km² smaller than Cali so more compact.
Since both regions have fairly similar terrain, in part, Italy automatically wins because it is made up of a peninsula plus numerous islands (meaning it has a much more extensive coastline than California) and it also doesn't have any major regions that are flat-out ugly and desolate, unlike California which has vast swathes of barren land. Now, I can appreciate places such as Death Valley and the Mojave Desert, they're beautiful in a way, but I would never want to live there.
California, though, definitely has more attractive mountains and it is much wilder and more rustic than Italy. It also isn't entirely fair to compare California and Italy, because Italy is situated about 5 degrees further north than an California. Pretending that Tunisia is part of Italy would fix the discrepancy, though Italy would still win, imo.
Since both regions have fairly similar terrain, in part, Italy automatically wins because it is made up of a peninsula plus numerous islands (meaning it has a much more extensive coastline than California) and it also doesn't have any major regions that are flat-out ugly and desolate, unlike California which has vast swathes of barren land. Now, I can appreciate places such as Death Valley and the Mojave Desert, they're beautiful in a way, but I would never want to live there.
California, though, definitely has more attractive mountains and it is much wilder and more rustic than Italy. It also isn't entirely fair to compare California and Italy, because Italy is situated about 5 degrees further north than an California. Pretending that Tunisia is part of Italy would fix the discrepancy, though Italy would still win, imo.
With the exception of park rangers, people don't actually live in Death Valley. There aren't many people in the Mojave Desert either.
Also, why does a 5 degree difference in latitude matter in this case?
I am from California and I visited Italy this summer, mainly the northern part. Italy was pretty but from what I saw, in terms of natural scenery, California wins for sure.
Since both regions have fairly similar terrain, in part, Italy automatically wins because it is made up of a peninsula plus numerous islands (meaning it has a much more extensive coastline than California) and it also doesn't have any major regions that are flat-out ugly and desolate, unlike California which has vast swathes of barren land. Now, I can appreciate places such as Death Valley and the Mojave Desert, they're beautiful in a way, but I would never want to live there.
California, though, definitely has more attractive mountains and it is much wilder and more rustic than Italy. It also isn't entirely fair to compare California and Italy, because Italy is situated about 5 degrees further north than an California. Pretending that Tunisia is part of Italy would fix the discrepancy, though Italy would still win, imo.
California has, perhaps, the world's most beautiful coastline. The rise from the sea to the coast range creates dramatic landscapes both in the north and the south. There is no Italian counterpart to California's vast old-growth forests. Similarly, California's wildflowers and waterfalls are unmatched by Italian counterparts.
Yosemite, Kings Canyon/Sequioa, Death Valley, Lake Tahoe, the Mojave, Joshua Tree, and Mt. Shasta are justifiably world famous. Lassen Volcanic area, Big Sur, Pinnacles, Los Padres, Big Bear, Mono Lake, Modoc, and Klamath Nat'l Forest are as beautiful if less well known.
The Farallones are an incredible migration point for marine animals.
California contains the world's tallest trees, the world's most massive trees, and the world's oldest living organisms.
California is one of the most beautiful stretches of geography joined by a political border.
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