Sonoma County is the northern part of the state, an hour's drive North of San Francisco. It is known for its natural beauty and diverse geography, which includes the Pacific coast, redwood forests, and wine country. The county has a population of around 500,000 and is home to several cities and towns, including Santa Rosa, the county seat. The area has a rich history dating back to the Native American tribes who inhabited the land for thousands of years. The county was later colonized by Spanish missionaries and soldiers, who founded the Northernmost Mission in California to control the local Native population. Today, Sonoma County is a popular tourist destination, known for its beautiful beaches, historic landmarks, and world-famous wine industry. Some of the county's most well-known landmarks include the Sonoma Plaza, a historic town square in the city of Sonoma, and the Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve, a protected area home to towering redwood trees. The local economy is driven by agriculture, particularly the wine industry, as well as tourism and tech. Sonoma County is also home to a number of higher education institutions, including Sonoma State University and Santa Rosa Junior College. Despite it's proximity to the Emerald Triangle region, Sonoma's cannabis industry is still fairly small in comparison to it's Northern neighbors. Several hundred cultivation licenses support a small retail industry, but most Sonoma cannabis is shipped South rather than sold locally. The county also hosts the Emerald Cup, the most well known cultivation contest in the country.