Baja California Sur

Baja California Sur, officially the Free and Sovereign State of Baja California Sur, is a state in Mexico. It became a state on October 8, 1974, making it the last state to join the country. Before that, the area was called the El Territorio Sur de Baja California.

This state is the least crowded in Mexico. It covers a big area of 73,909 km². Baja California Sur takes up the southern half of the Baja California Peninsula, south of the 28th parallel. It also includes the uninhabited Rocas Alijos in the Pacific Ocean.

Baja California Sur is bordered to the north by the state of Baja California, to the west by the Pacific Ocean, and to the east by the Gulf of California. Across the Gulf of California, it shares borders with Sonora and Sinaloa.

Famous tourist spots in the state include Cabo San Lucas and San José del Cabo. The biggest city and capital of Baja California Sur is La Paz.

Etymology

Main articles: La Paz, Baja California Sur § History; and Etymology of California

The first European to land in Baja California was a sailor named Fortún Ximénez. He had a problem with his captain and others, which caused trouble. Ximénez and his crew fought with local people because they were taking large pearls and acting badly. Ximénez was killed in the fighting. The remaining sailors sailed to Jalisco, where they told a story that the land they found was an island.

Later, a writer made up a story and called the area "California" after a made-up island. This name stuck and was used for the peninsula and parts of what is now the U.S. state of California.

In 1888, leaders split the peninsula into two parts for managing mining. The southern part was called El Territorio Sur de Baja California. Finally, on October 8, 1974, it became the state of Baja California Sur.

History

Pre-Columbian era

People lived in this area as long ago as 40,000 years ago. We know this because of bones and old paintings found in caves. These early people hunted and gathered food. They made beautiful rock paintings, some very big, up to 4 metres tall. The most famous paintings are at a place called the Great Mural Rock Art.

When the Spanish arrived, they met four groups of people: the Pericúes, Guaycuras, Monquis, and Cochimí. These groups fished and made pottery but did not grow crops or use metal tools.

Colonial era

Main article: Province of Las Californias

See also: Baja California Territory

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A Spanish map of La Paz from 1632 by Nicolás de Cardona

Old mission bell tower of the Cathedral of La Paz, Baja California Sur

The first Europeans came in 1533, led by Fortún Ximénez. After a fight, they left. In 1535, Hernán Cortés sailed into the Gulf of California, which he named the Sea of Cortés, and landed near La Paz but did not stay.

In 1697, Jesuit missionaries came and set up the first permanent mission. They worked with local people and built many missions. Later, other religious groups took over these missions.

19th century

See also: Mexican–American War and Battle of La Paz

By the early 1800s, the missions were not as strong, and many closed. The area was used mainly for ranching. The southern part stayed peaceful during Mexico’s fight for independence.

In 1822, the capital was moved to La Paz, where it stays today. The United States tried to take the area during the Mexican–American War but could not. Later, a group led by William Walker took control of La Paz but were pushed out by Mexican forces.

20th century to present

The area was split into two parts in 1888. In 1974, the southern part became an official state of Mexico, with La Paz as its capital. Since then, more areas have become official municipalities.

Geography

The state of Baja California Sur is on the southern part of the narrow Baja California Peninsula in northwest Mexico. This peninsula split from the mainland about two million years ago because of earth movements.

It stretches about 750 kilometres (470 miles) long and averages 100 kilometres (60 miles) wide, covering 73,909 square kilometres (28,536 square miles). The land is mostly mountains and coastal plains. The main mountain range is called the Sierra de la Giganta, with its highest peak, Sierra de la Laguna, reaching 2,080 metres (6,824 feet). The coastal areas are wider on the Pacific side.

The climate is dry, with temperatures between 18–22 °C (64.4–71.6 °F). Rainfall is scarce and unpredictable. Lower areas are hot and dry, while the Los Cabos region gets more moisture from Pacific hurricanes. Most water flows in seasonal streams during rainstorms.

The state has an extensive coastline of 2,230 kilometres (1,386 miles), making up 22% of Mexico's total coastline. It includes many islands and bays such as Sebastian Vizcaino, Magdalena, and La Paz. The area is home to unique plants like the tall cardón cactus and animals such as whales, seals, and sea turtles. Baja California Sur also protects large areas of nature, including national parks and reserves.

Demographics

Most people in Baja California Sur are a mix of different groups. Many live in cities.

Largest cities

People in this area usually go to school for a few years. There are places to learn, like the Autonomous University of Baja California Sur and Instituto Tecnologico de La Paz.

Government and politics

See also: Municipalities of Baja California Sur

The state of Baja California Sur is divided into five areas called municipalities. These areas help organize the government and services for the people living there. Each municipality has its own main town and borders other municipalities or natural features like the ocean.

Baja California Sur works together with other places through groups like the Commission of the Californias. This group helps the U.S. state of California and the Mexican states of Baja California and Baja California Sur share ideas and support each other.

Economy

Baja California Sur's economy is based on tourism, fishing, salt production, and mining. Tourism is important because of beautiful natural spots like grey whales and famous rock formations. People visit places like Cabo San Lucas and San José del Cabo for activities such as fishing, golf, and water sports.

Other parts of the economy include mining for materials like copper, gold, and salt, as well as farming and raising animals. The state also makes crafts from shells and leather, and has areas for technology and film production.

Transportation

Baja California Sur has many roads, ports, and airports to help people travel. It has highways, eleven ports, and four airports for visitors. The two biggest airports are Los Cabos International Airport and Manuel Márquez de León International Airport.

The main road is Mexican Federal Highway 1. It starts at Cabo San Lucas and goes to the United States-Mexico border at San Ysidro. There is also Mexican Federal Highway 19 between Cabo San Lucas and La Paz, and a toll road called Mexican Federal Highway 1D from Los Cabos International Airport to Cabo San Lucas. You can take a ferry from the east coast to the mainland. Most ferries go to Mazatlán in Sinaloa.

Media

Baja California Sur has several newspapers. Some of these newspapers include El Peninsular, El Periódico, El Sudcaliforniano, and Tribuna de los Cabos.

Culture

Three indigenous cultures still live in Baja California Sur: the Cochimí, the Guaycura, and the Pericú. Traditional music is played by small groups using an accordion and two guitars. These groups are called "cochi." They play different styles of music like corridos, waltzes, polkas, and mazurkas, as well as norteño.

Baja California Sur has a long coastline, so many local dishes feature seafood. Local cooks often use oregano and a special herb called damiana to add flavor to their food. Traditional meals such as machaca and fried clams are usually served with flour tortillas.

Coat of arms

The coat of arms shows the state's link to the ocean. It has pictures of silver fish and a silver shell on a blue background, with a crown on top. This design was used for the old Province of Las Californias.

Notable people

Julián Abitia was a governor of Baja California Sur. After that, he became the governor of Quintana Roo.