California has the largest Native American population in the United States. Approximately 12% of the country's Native American population live within the borders of California, and there are 110 federally recognized Indian tribes and 81 groups still awaiting recognition. California's Native American tribal lands are very diverse, covering all areas and climates, and crossing borders into adjacent states and countries. Over half of the state's Native American population is composed of individuals who were relocated to large urban areas during the federal government's termination policy. The tribes in California are as small as five members, and as large as 6,000 members.
San Diego County has more Tribal Reservations than any other county in the country. However, the total land holdings for these reservations are very small. Only 193 square miles of the 4,205 square miles that make up San Diego County are tribal reservations.
