I need a bit of help for a book I'm writing about an independent country that was created in the mid 1600's on the Pacific populated mostly by Chinese, some Spanish and Indians.
Now here's the question.
Only using technology they had in the late 19th century just how many people could conceivably survive on the Pacific Coast from Lower British Columbia to the tip of Baja California without suffering sever malnutrition?
They can import food but the majority of the food supply must come from the coast and American Southwest.
I'm thinking that 24-28 million is about right, considering how much experience the Chinese have with irrigation.