The states were made that way though partially because of the level of industrialization and population in them, and the accepted cultures I dont really know, you know you can mod all of this really easily though.
Oh, I do know, but one of the main reasons I post here is I know the devs and what not look here and problems wont get fixed if people dont mention them.
I understand completly that in the beginning California as a nation would be such a small pop but its about 40 years in and thanks to mass immigration and reforms I have a good 7 million or so people in California. Maybe there should be some system implimented to allow for a break up of single state nations like this into more then one state.
OR
Because they dont want the small german states to become world powers make there be a province limit, Cali has I think 6, maybe make it if you have to have already 4 or 5 to become a world power, would limit the german states from becoming world powers while allowing other large area single state nations to become a world power.