Baja California’s cave painting route begins in the north at El Vallecito, near the town of La Rumorosa, and stretches south of the Guadalupe Valley to an area called Las Pintas. It encompasses an area of 27,636 square miles (71,576 sq km) and borders the Pacific Ocean on the west; Sonora, Arizona, and the Gulf of California on the east; Baja California Sur to the south; and California to the north. Their descendants still live in Baja California, primarily on the northernmost part of the peninsula. ThoughtCo uses cookies to provide you with a great user experience. Here are some quick economic facts about the Baja California peninsula. The sea arch "El Arco de Cabo San Lucas" is popular with tourists. The eastern coast faces the narrow Sea of Cortés and generally has calmer waters. Ancient paintings, some of which were created by early humans around 8000 B.C, adorn caves and rock dwellings throughout the peninsula. Baja California is a state in northern Mexico, the westernmost in the country. Baja is home to great spots to see sea turtles including beautiful Magdalena Bay. Interesting Facts about Cabo San Lucas Cabo San Lucas State: Baja California Sur Country: Mexico Cabo San Lucas by the Numbers Population: 56,811 (2005 Census) Average January Temperature: 20 C / 68 F Average July Temperature: 32 C / 90 F Average Annual Rainfall: 17.78 cm / 7 in. Briney, Amanda. Later, as trade grew between Mexico and the Philippines, it became clear that a supply station on the western coast of Baja California would provide a welcome refuge for ships arriving from the long Pacific voyage. 3. Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/geography-of-baja-california-1435214. Two leaping fish on the sides denote the two bodies of water that surround Baja California—the Sea of Cortés and the Pacific Ocean. Pachycereus pringlei, also known as Mexican giant cardon or elephant cactus, is a species of cactus native to northwestern Mexico in the states of Baja California, Baja California Sur, and Sonora. Baja California Sur’s glorious colonial past has made it a center for historical architecture and traditional art forms, and it’s also a great place to surf and fish. Visit Cabo and you will have a spectacular view of the Baja coast. The dominant ethnic groups in the state are white/European and Mestizo, or mixed Indigenous and European. Cabo is known for its beaches and scuba diving places. When the Spaniards arrived in the Baja California area in 1539, they believed they had reached a mythical island of female warriors governed by Queen Calafia. Tijuana is the largest Baja California city. California is home to the Silicon Valley (a region known the world over for high technology, innovation, and venture capital.) Visitors to the mission can enjoy wine tasting and vineyard tours. The beaches along Baja California’s two coasts vary tremendously. A considerable portion of this coastline is around the peninsula known as Baja California. Agriculture also supports the economy, with ...read more, Sonora, the second largest state in Mexico, is sparsely populated. Baja California Peninsula The Baja California peninsula is made up of two states: Baja California, the northern state, and Baja California Sur, the southern state.. Ancient societies–such as the Yaquis, ...read more, The California missions began in the late 18th century as an effort to convert Native Americans to Catholicism and expand European territory. Indigenous peoples and East Asians also make up a large percentage of the state's population. Average Days of Sun: 350 Major language: Spanish. Since Baja California Sur occupies the southern end of a peninsula, overland travel to the rest of Mexico is ...read more, A country rich in history, tradition and culture, Mexico is made up of 31 states and one federal district. La Paz is the capital of Mexico’s Baja California Sur, the southernmost of the two states that make up this adventure-filled Peninsula.Located on the Sea of Cortez and with easy access by land and air, this city offers many exciting activity options for the whole family. La Paz is the capital of Mexico’s Baja California Sur region and is home to some wonderful educational museums on wildlife. Beneath the sun, a male figure holds a book, while a female figure carries a test tube; together, they grasp several lightning bolts, suggesting that the creative combination of culture and science can generate powerful energy. Mountainous and arid, the region is sunny almost year–round and has little rainfall. This group of small islands is home to a colony of 350 to 400 sea lions, one of Mexico’s largest. 10 Facts about Emile Durkheim. But if you see something that doesn't look right, click here to contact us! Located on the southern tip of a nearly 800-mile long peninsula called Baja California. Mexico has slightly more than 9,000 km worth of coastline. Baja.com offers Baja travelers expert advice about local restaurants, hotels and vacation rentals, as well as guides, maps and articles about events, sports and activities. In 1542, Juan Rodríguez Cabrillo ventured into the region, but it proved to be the last exploration for 50 years. The U.S. border crossing at Tijuana is one of the busiest in the world, with about 50,000 cars and 25,000 pedestrians coming and going each day. Shortly thereafter, the discovery of gold at Sutter’s Mill in 1848 inspired a wave of settlers to ...read more, Mexico City, Mexico’s largest city and the most populous metropolitan area in the Western Hemisphere, is also known as Distrito Federal, or the federal district. The state’s border crossing at Tijuana is the busiest in all of Mexico. Snorkel above coral, glance down on scuba divers and swim in the same waters as playful, curious sea lion pups. The earliest record of this myth appears in. Islands and coastal areas in the Gulf of California that belong to Baja California Sur are part of a larger gulfwide World Heritage site designated in 2005. The expedition, led by Sinaloa’s governor Isidro de Atondo y Antillón, sailed into the Sea of Cortés and attempted its first settlement at La Paz; however, hostility from local tribes forced the expedition to move on. Loreto Mexico Bucket List: 20 Things to Do in the Baja California Sur City Known for its history as being the first successful Jesuit mission in the Baja California peninsula, and for its present existence as a hotspot for marine wildlife, Loreto Mexico is an intriguing town that’s not to be missed. Although formally distinct, the Federal District and Greater Mexico City constitute one of ...read more, Nayarit’s farmers benefit from its location in a fertile valley, and with 181 miles of coastline, the state is a top tourist destination. Under Francisco Palomares and Pedro Ramirez Caule—both supporters of Francisco Madero, who initiated the Mexican Revolution in 1910—the rebel army took control of Mexicali in January 1911, followed by Tijuana in May. ... Read this epic blog of the best fun facts … The state’s economy is bolstered by agriculture, maquiladoras (manufacturing assembly plants), mining and tourism. BirdEden lists some very interesting facts about the California … In the treaty ending the war, Mexico gave in to U.S. demands and ceded the vast territory in exchange for $15 million. Baja.com is a comprehensive online source of first-hand travel information for Baja, California, supported by a full-service travel agency staffed with local "Travel Savants". Although he had no support from the U.S. government, Walker sailed from San Francisco to La Paz, arrested the governor, took possession of the public buildings and raised the flag of a new republic. The following is a list of 10 geographic facts to know about Baja California: Amanda Briney, M.A., is a professional geographer. Baja California is extremely biodiverse along its coasts. It separates the Pacific Ocean from the Gulf of California. Middle History The area’s vegetation is classified as a tropical thorn forest, with large tracts of desert terrain tumbling into the Pacific Ocean on the Westside and the Sea of Cortez on the Eastside, the world’s youngest and most biologically diverse sea. It is bordered by the states of Baja California, Baja California Sur, Sonora, and Sinaloa. Its teardrop-shaped plume and markings on its body contribute greatly to its beauty. Since it is the only deepwater port in Baja California, it acts as the primary hub for importing and exporting goods throughout the region. The wine industry’s success began during the fifties. There were 21 missions in all, lasting from 1769 until about 1833. With six border crossing points into the U.S. state of California, Baja California sees many thousand crossings each day. "10 Facts About the Geography of Baja California." https://www.history.com/topics/mexico/baja-california. The end of Spanish rule in Mexico spelled the end of the missions’ administrative authority as well. This is mainly through manufacturing in the form of. When they failed to find it, Cortés decided to lead the search himself. Residents and tourists alike also enjoy Michoacán’s festive Day of the Dead celebration and visits to the Paricutin volcano, which became active until 1943. Come fishing in La Paz , and you’ll discover the true beauty of this town, BCS, and the Sea of Cortez. Baja California Sur, Mexico Five species of sea turtle are found along Mexico's Baja California peninsula; a region that provides both nesting habitat and vital feeding grounds for … "use strict";(function(){var insertion=document.getElementById("citation-access-date");var date=new Date().toLocaleDateString(undefined,{month:"long",day:"numeric",year:"numeric"});insertion.parentElement.replaceChild(document.createTextNode(date),insertion)})(); FACT CHECK: We strive for accuracy and fairness. The Sonoran Desert, which also runs into the. On the lower part of the design, a human figure with outstretched arms embraces the state’s three primary resources: agriculture, industry and the ocean. Europeans did not reach Europeans did not reach the area until 1539. San Jose, located in the heart of Silicon Valley, the city is among the largest tech hubs in the United States. Twelve years later, in 1695, a Jesuit priest named Juan María Salvatierra established the region’s first permanent Spanish settlement, the Misión Nuestra Señora de Loreto, which quickly became the peninsula’s religious and administrative capital. When a second settlement failed for the same reason, the expedition returned to the mainland. The Guaycura and the Pericú lived by hunting, gathering and fishing. To the south, you can find the Mexican state of Baja California sharing border with California. The Guadalupe Valley, near Ensenada, supports several world-class wineries located in the old Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe del Norte mission. The war began after Mexico refused the United States’ offer to buy California, Nevada, Utah and parts of Colorado, Arizona, New Mexico and Wyoming. Closed Now Community See All 1,171 people like this 1,211 people follow this 10 check-ins About See All Jalisco esq. Here are some fun facts you should know before embarking on your trip to La Paz: It is believed that people first settled on the Baja Peninsula around 1,000 years ago and that the region was dominated by a few Indigenous groups. Nearly all of Mexico’s copper is produced here. Facts about California 2: the population records San Francisco Bay Area takes the record as the fifth most populous area, while Greater Los Angeles Areas … The Best Colleges for Marine Biology Majors, 10 Interesting Facts About the Pacific Northwest, Geography and Facts About the World's 5 Oceans, How Geography Shapes Regional Weather of the United States, M.A., Geography, California State University - East Bay, B.A., English and Geography, California State University - Sacramento. The independence movement in Mexico began in 1810, but Baja California’s involvement was minimal, given its small population. It lies about 40 feet (12 metres) above sea level on sheltered La Paz Bay of the Gulf of California (also called Sea of Cortez) and has a hot dry climate. The peninsula is separated from the rest of Mexico by the Sea of Cortez, and most of the coastline consists of beautiful, sandy beaches.. After gaining its independence in 1821, Mexico established Baja California as a federal territory; in 1832, the governor converted all the missions into parish churches. Average Days of Sun: 350 Major language: Spanish. Spend 48 hours in La Paz for a new take on Mexico. Archaeological artifacts suggest that these tribes inhabited the peninsula and Cedros Island as early as 9,000-10,000 years ago. Interesting facts about California 1. 10 Facts about Emiliano Zapata. Throughout the remainder of the 20th century, the state’s cititens chose their leaders from the dominant political party, the PRI (Institutional Revolutionary Party), with the exception of Ernesto Ruffo, who was elected in 1989 as a representative of the PAN party. Its population continually fluctuates as people arrive from the United States and Latin America countries while others depart for the United States. May 2nd 2015 | States. Travel Tips. Afternoon Stop for a picnic of ceviche tostadas at Ense… As a peninsula, Baja California is surrounded by water on three sides with borders on the, Between the mountains of the Peninsular Ranges are various valley regions that are rich in agriculture. Baja California Sur Tourism: Tripadvisor has 715,712 reviews of Baja California Sur Hotels, Attractions, and Restaurants making it your best Baja California Sur resource. https://www.thoughtco.com/geography-of-baja-california-1435214 (accessed March 5, 2021). Baja California also has a strong economy and is 3.3% of Mexico's gross domestic product. Several rivers flow into the Gulf of California, including the Yaqui, the Sonora, the Sinaloa, the Mayo, the Fuerte, and the Colorado River. The original draft of the treaty included Baja California in the sale, but the United States eventually agreed to omit the peninsula because of its proximity to Sonora, which is located just across the narrow Sea of Cortés. © 2021 A&E Television Networks, LLC. In the late 1700s, the Dominicans became active in Baja California. (2021, January 3). 10 Facts About the Geography of Baja California. It is often called "Cabo". Beginning in 1592, Sebastián Vizcaíno undertook two expeditions to establish such a station, but he was unsuccessful because of repeated native resistance. 2. She holds a Certificate of Advanced Study in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) from California State University. Briney, Amanda. It is the third largest country in Latin America and has one of the largest populations—more than 100 million—making it the home of more Spanish speakers than any other ...read more, The first Spanish missionaries arrived in California in the 1700s, but California didn’t become a U.S. territory until 1847, as part of the treaty ending the Mexican-American War. By using ThoughtCo, you accept our. Other large cities in Baja California include San Felipe, Playas de Rosarito, and Tecate. Punta Negra (Baja California Sur), Mexico On this page you can add a memo about Punta Negra , concerning cycling. However, the territory did play a pivotal role in the Mexican Revolution. Briney, Amanda. Tourists flock to Baja California—separated from the rest of Mexico by the Sea of Cortez—to visit its stunning shoreline and test their mettle at sport fishing. Early History On this page you can add a memo about Punta Negra , concerning cycling. The western coast, which faces the Pacific Ocean, is characterized by cool water, ocean swells and occasional heavy surf. The government counts mainly on the development of tourism, fishing, agriculture, and mining activities. This time the Spaniards sailed the full length of the Sea of Cortés, discovering that Baja was actually a peninsula. Search for: Recent Posts. The peninsula of Baja California is 1,300 kilometers (800 miles) long, making it the world’s third-longest. It is commonly known as cardón, a name derived from the Spanish word cardo, meaning "thistle". Riders that were born or deceased here are also mentioned. Traveljournalist at English Wikipedia / Wikimedia Commons / Public Domain. "10 Facts About the Geography of Baja California." In January 1683, the Spanish government provisioned three ships with 200 men and gave them a mandate to colonize the peninsula. Baja California’s coat of arms features the state’s motto, “Work and social justice,“ emblazoned across an image of the sun that represents the state’s energy. Hardware Store in La Paz, Baja California Sur 3.7 3.7 out of 5 stars.