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Riverside County was founded in 1893, as part of both San Bernardino and San Diego counties. Riverside County is located in the southeastern part of California; it stretches from Orange County to the Arizona border, along the Colorado River. It is often referred to as The Inland Empire.

The area was initially settled with the advent of the Continental Railroad in 1869. John Wesley North, an abolitionist from Tennessee, founded the city of Riverside on a portion of the Jurupa Rancho land grant.

The planting of the Navel orange in the 1870's led to wealth for the county, and it boasted the highest per capita income in the nation. This led to unprecedented growth and development for the area. In addition to Riverside, other areas of the county - including Lake Elsinore, San Jacinto and present-day Corona areas - experienced growth and development over the same period.

Today, Riverside County is the fourth-largest county in California and covers an area of nearly 7,200 square miles. It boasts a population of 2.3 million people.  Over the last decade, it has consistently been one of the fastest-growing areas in the country. The city of Riverside is the largest in the county and has a population of 300,000. Other areas in Riverside County include Banning and Beaumont in the San Gorgonio Pass; Hemet, south of San Jacinto; Moreno Valley, east of Riverside; Perris, Murrieta and Temecula along the California Southern Railroad; Palm Springs, Palm Desert, Indio and Coachella along the Southern Pacific route to Yuma; and Blythe on the Colorado River.

The economy of Riverside is diverse, with no one industry dominating. It is the largest center for industry and employment in the Inland Empire. There is a large Technology Park located next to the University of California Riverside, attracting many new businesses to the area. Riverside offers 3 other colleges, as well as numerous secondary educational institutions.

There is little wonder why the area has attracted so many residents. Its beautiful scenery encompasses both desert and mountains. Part of the Joshua Tree National Park and the Salton Sea are located within the county's borders. With its temperate climate, Riverside County hosts year-round festivals, starting with the Southwest Arts Festival in January. In October, it is home to the Southern California Fair and various other festivals throughout the year.
Riverside offers a wide variety of cultural and entertainment venues as well. Supporting more than 10 performing arts centers, it is a true cultural center of southern California. The whole family will enjoy the Castle Park and Knott's Soak City amusement parks. There are abundant golf courses, as well as the unique Living Desert zoo. It is also a treasure of Native American art and culture. From the Giant Desert Figures near Blythe to the Indian Village of Pochea near Hemet, there is never a shortage of things to do and see.