Baja California peninsula

The Baja California peninsula (Spanish: Península de Baja California, lit. 'Lower California peninsula') is a peninsula in northwestern Mexico. It separates the Gulf of California from the Pacific Ocean. The peninsula stretches from Mexicali, Baja California, in the north all the way to Cabo San Lucas, Baja California Sur, in the south.

It is very long, measuring 1,247 km (775 miles). The land is separated from mainland Mexico by the Gulf of California and the Colorado River. There are four main desert areas on the peninsula: the San Felipe Desert, the Central Coast Desert, the Vizcaíno Desert, and the Magdalena Plain Desert.

History

See also: Etymology of California

Long ago, people in Europe thought California was a magical place. The idea of California first appeared in a book from 1510. This book described an island called California, far west of a place called the Indies. It was said to be a land of women who lived like warriors.

At first, Spanish explorers thought the Baja California peninsula was an island and named it California. Later, in 1539, explorer Francisco de Ulloa proved it was actually a peninsula. He named the water between the peninsula and the mainland the "Vermillion Sea." The Spanish called the whole area, including lands further north, Las Californias. Over time, maps began to show California as an island, but later explorers like Eusebio Kino corrected this mistake.

When Europeans first arrived, many different groups of native people lived in Baja California. Spanish explorers later established missions in the area. In 1804, the region was divided into Alta (Upper) and Baja (Lower) California. Over the years, Baja California became a state in Mexico, and the southern part became a separate state called Baja California Sur. Today, some native languages are still spoken there.

Geology

See also: Peninsular Ranges

The Baja California peninsula used to be part of the North American Plate, which is where mainland Mexico is today. About 12 to 15 million years ago, the East Pacific Rise pushed into the edge of the North American Plate, causing the peninsula to break away. Now, the Baja California peninsula is part of the Pacific Plate and is moving away from the East Pacific Rise.

There is volcanic activity along the coast north of Santa Rosalia, Baja California Sur. Some of the volcanoes and volcanic fields in the area include Volcanoes of east-central Baja California, Cerro Prieto, the San Quintín Volcanic Field, Isla San Luis, Jaraguay volcanic field, Coronado, Guadalupe, San Borja volcanic field, El Aguajito, Tres Vírgenes, Isla Tortuga, and Comondú-La Purísima.

Researchers from Scripps Institution of Oceanography found a 2,000-year-old layer of roots, called peat, under some desert mangroves. This peat layer helps store carbon and shows how sea levels have changed over time.

Geography

The Peninsular Ranges form the main spine of the Baja California peninsula. These mountains were formed a long time ago and are related to the mountains in California. They rose up because of movements deep in the Earth.

The peninsula has many mountain ranges, including the Sierra de Juárez, the Sierra de San Pedro Mártir, which has the highest peak called Picacho del Diablo, and the Sierra de la Laguna, which is alone at the very southern tip.

The climate here is mostly very dry and hot, like a desert. The northern part is a bit cooler and wetter. There are also some places with a mix of dry and cooler weather.

Two important points along the Pacific coast are Punta Eugenia and Cabo San Lázaro. The biggest bay on the Pacific side is the Sebastián Vizcaíno Bay, and the large Cedros Island is nearby. On the side facing the Gulf of California, the biggest bays are Bahia de La Paz and Bahia Concepcion. There is also a smaller bay called the Bahía de los Ángeles.

Ecoregions

See also: Category:Flora of Baja California and Category:Flora of Baja California Sur

The Baja California peninsula has many different natural areas called ecoregions. Most of the land is dry with deserts and small plants, but there are also forests of pine and oak trees in the mountains at both ends of the peninsula. The very southern tip has plants and animals similar to those found in tropical Mexico.

Some of the ecoregions include:

• California chaparral and woodlands in the northwest corner and on nearby islands like Cedros and Guadalupe.
• Sierra Juárez and San Pedro Mártir pine–oak forests in the northern mountain ranges.
• The Sonoran Desert in the northeast.
• The Baja California desert along the Pacific coast.
• Gulf of California xeric scrub along the Gulf of California.
• San Lucan xeric scrub in the southern lowlands.
• Sierra de la Laguna dry forests and Sierra de la Laguna pine–oak forests in the southern mountains.
• The Bahía de los Ángeles Biosphere Reserve.

Political divisions

The land called the Californias was one big area until 1804. Then it was split into two parts: Alta (upper) and Baja (lower) California.

After Mexico became independent in 1821, Baja California stayed its own area. Later, in 1836, both parts were joined again. But after 1848, when Alta California went to the United States, Baja California became part of Mexico again.

In 1931, Baja California was split into two areas. In 1952, the northern area became a state called Baja California. In 1974, the southern area became a state called Baja California Sur.

Baja California

The northern part is the state of Baja California. Sometimes people call it Baja California Norte. The capital city is Mexicali.

Baja California Sur

The southern part is the state of Baja California Sur. The capital city there is La Paz.

Tourism

The Baja California peninsula, often called "Baja" by visitors, is known for its beautiful natural settings. Many people visit to see whales, especially the California gray whales that travel through the area. The peninsula is also a popular spot for fishing because it lies between the North Pacific and the Gulf of California. Since 1967, it has been the starting point for the Baja 1000, an exciting off-road race that goes from Ensenada to La Paz.

Indigenous clothing

The traditional clothing of Baja California is an important part of the peninsula's culture. The area is home to five Yuman groups: the Cucapá, Kiliwa, Pai Pai, Cochimí, and Kumiai. Each group has its own special way of dressing.

The Cucapá use natural colors from minerals for body paint. Women and men wear accessories like bracelets and necklaces. The Kiliwa make clothes from animal leather. The Pai Pai wear skirts and blouses made from willow husks, and men wear leather loincloths. The Cochimí wear ornaments from reeds and shells. The Kumiai used to wear animal hides but now wear more modern clothes.

Flor de Cucapá is a special traditional outfit from Baja California. It was created in 1954 to show the region's culture. The dress has white cotton pieces with embroidery of cacti and the Sea of Cortés.