Madera sits in the central San Joaquin Valley, roughly 20 miles northwest of Fresno, and serves as the seat of Madera County. The county was carved out of Fresno County in 1893, and the name Madera—Spanish for 'wood'—recalls the lumber industry that helped establish the region. Today the city of about 66,000 residents is the county's population and commercial center, surrounded by some of California's most productive farmland. Agriculture defines the local economy and landscape. Cotton, wine grapes, almonds and other tree nuts, and a broad range of row crops dominate the surrounding countryside, supported by food processing, cotton gins, wineries, and nut plants. This agricultural base gives Madera a working, Valley-town character distinct from the state's coastal cities, and it anchors a significant share of local employment. The city's downtown retains landmarks from its early-20th-century growth, including the historic Madera County Courthouse and the distinctive Madera Water Tower. Residential growth has expanded outward, with newer master-planned communities such as Riverstone adding modern subdivisions, while areas like Madera Ranchos offer larger lots and rural, horse-friendly properties. Public schools are provided by Madera Unified School District, which serves the city and surrounding area. State Route 99, the Valley's main north-south artery, runs through Madera, linking it to Fresno and Sacramento. The city's position at the edge of the Sierra Nevada foothills also makes it a gateway to Yosemite National Park, with portions of the park lying within Madera County. For recreation, residents use a network of city parks, a river trail, and the open farmland and foothill country beyond. Madera suits those seeking Valley affordability, agricultural community life, and access to both Fresno and the Sierra Nevada.