Baja California

Baja California is a state located in the northwestern part of Mexico.

It occupies the northern half of the Baja California peninsula. The state also includes the distant Guadalupe Island in the Pacific Ocean. This territory makes up 3.57% of the total land mass of Mexico. It is the 12th-largest state in the country by area. The state is bordered by the United States to the north. To the south, it borders the state of Baja California Sur. The Pacific Ocean lies to the west. The Gulf of California and the state of Sonora are to the east.

The geography of the region is defined by the Peninsular ranges.

These mountains run down the geographic center of the state. Major ranges include the Sierra de Juárez and the Sierra de San Pedro Mártir. These mountains act as a backbone for the entire peninsula. The highest peak in the state is Picacho del Diablo. This mountain is also the highest point on the whole peninsula. These ranges effectively divide the weather patterns across the land. The mountains create different environments on either side of their slopes.

Because of the mountains, the climate varies from Mediterranean to arid. In the northwest, the weather is semi-dry and Mediterranean. This is due to the cold California Current and temperate Pacific winds. The narrow center of the state is more humid because of the high altitude. Here, you can find valleys like the Valle de Guadalupe.

This area is a major wine-producing region in Mexico. To the east of the mountains, the Sonoran Desert dominates. In the south, the land becomes even drier. This area is known as the Vizcaíno Desert. The landscape changes quickly from green forests to bare deserts.

Human history in the region began at least 11,000 years ago. The first people were diverse native groups. In the south, the Cochimí people lived in the Central Desert. Some Cochimí on Cedros Island developed a maritime economy. In the north, the Yuman language family included the Kiliwa and Kumeyaay. These groups lived in the better-watered northwest. The Cocopa and Quechan people practiced agriculture near the Colorado River. Another group, the Guachimis, created cave paintings in the Sierra de Guadalupe. These paintings are recognized by UNESCO as World Heritage sites.

European contact began in the 1500s with explorers like Francisco de Ulloa.

The name "California" comes from an epic story about Queen Calafia. In 1697, Jesuits established a permanent mission colony at Loreto. Later, the Spanish crown divided the region into Alta and Baja California in 1804. The boundary was the Palóu Line. After the Mexican-American War, the United States gained the northern territory. Baja California kept cities like Tijuana, Mexicali, and Tecate under Mexican control. In 1952, the North Territory officially became a state.

The state has a population of about 3,769,020 people as of 2020. This is much higher than the population in Baja California Sur. Most people live in three main areas. Over 75% of the population lives in Mexicali, Ensenada, or Tijuana. Tijuana is the largest city in the state. Mexicali is the capital city. The state also uses unique energy sources. The Cerro Prieto geothermal province produces about 80% of the state's electricity. This area is part of a large pull-apart basin. It produces enough power to export to California in the U.S.

Water is a very important natural resource for the state. Much of the water comes from the Colorado River. Historically, the river flowed into the Gulf of California. Now, less water reaches the Gulf due to demands in the American Southwest. The Tijuana metropolitan area uses the Tijuana River for water. Many rural areas rely on wells, dams, or oases. The state also has many islands.

Guadalupe Island has large colonies of sea lions.

Other islands include the Coronado Islands and Cedros Island. The Angel de la Guarda Island is the largest in the Gulf of California.