Pacific Oil and Gas Co. - 1921 dated Fresno, California Oil Stock Certificate

Stock printed by Goes. Fresno is a city located in the San Joaquin Valley of California, United States. It serves as the county seat of Fresno County and is the largest city within the broader Central Valley region. The city spans approximately 115 square miles (300 km²) and recorded a population of 542,107 according to the 2020 census, ranking it as the fifth-most populous city in California, the most populous inland city in the state, and the 34th-most populous city nationwide. The name Fresno derives from the numerous ash trees that line the San Joaquin River.

Established in 1872 as a railway station for the Central Pacific Railroad, Fresno was incorporated in 1885. Over the years, it has evolved into an economic center for Fresno County and the San Joaquin Valley, with much of the surrounding Metropolitan Fresno area primarily engaged in large-scale agricultural activities. Geographically, Fresno is situated near the center of California, approximately 220 miles (350 km) north of Los Angeles, 170 miles (270 km) south of Sacramento, the state capital, and 185 miles (300 km) southeast of San Francisco. Notable national parks such as Yosemite National Park are located about 60 miles (100 km) to the north, Kings Canyon National Park is 60 miles (100 km) to the east, and Sequoia National Park is approximately 75 miles (120 km) to the southeast.