Baja California
- Alternative use: Baja California Peninsula
| Baja California | ||
|---|---|---|
| File:Mx-bc.gif | ||
| Location | ||
| File:Mexico Baja California.png | ||
| Municipalities | ||
| File:Bajamunicipios.PNG | ||
| Statistics | ||
| Capital | Mexicali | |
| Area | 69,921 km² Ranked 12th | |
| Population (2005 census) |
2,844,469 Ranked 15th | |
| HDI (2004) | 0.8233 - high Ranked 7th | |
| Governor (2001-2007) |
Eugenio Elorduy Walther (PAN) | |
| Federal Deputies | PAN:6 | |
| Federal Senators | PAN:2 PRI:1 | |
| ISO 3166-2 Postal Abbr. |
MX-BCN B.C. | |
| Location |
32.23, 117.96 | |
Baja California (literally "lower California" in Spanish) is the northernmost state of Mexico. It is sometimes informally referred to as Baja California Norte to distinguish it from the Baja California peninsula, of which it forms the northern half, and Baja California Sur, which forms the southern half of the peninsula. Before becoming a state in 1953, the area was known as the Territory of Baja California Norte. It has an area of 71,576 km2 (about 27,600 mi2, or 3.57% of the land mass of Mexico. The state is bordered on the west by the Pacific Ocean, on the east by Sonora and the Sea of Cortez or Gulf of California, and on the south by Baja California Sur. Its northern limit is the U.S.-Mexico border, adjacent to the U.S. state of California.
The state has a population of 2,750,000 (2003 estimate), much more than the sparsely populated Baja California Sur to the south. Over 75% of the population lives in the capital city, Mexicali, or the most populous city in the state, Tijuana. Both these cities are close to the U.S. border. Other important cities include Ensenada, San Felipe, and Playas de Rosarito y Tecate.
The state's inhabitants are known as "Cachanillas," after the wild cachanilla plant which has a fresh aroma and was used by the original inhabitants to make huts. The first Mestizo colonies used these materials with dried mud. Originally, the term "Cachanillas" was applied only to the inhabitants of the Mexicali Valley, although there are tales of the term being used for inhabitants of Santa Rosalía in Baja California Sur. Author Antonio Valdéz Herrera's work "Puro Canchanilla" (Pure Canchanilla) has made use of the term more common.
The First Inhabitants of Baja California
It is estimated that the first humans came to the peninsula around 14,000 years ago. These subsistence-level nomads followed the Pacific coast down from Alaska. Three tribes existed in the pre-Columbian era: the Pericúes, the Guaycuras, and the Cochimíes. The Pericúes inhabited the southern part of the peninsula and extended north to the middle of the peninsula. The Guaycuras lived in the middle part of the peninsula and the Cochimíes inhabited the extreme north. Other nomadic groups are also thought to have inhabited the northern area. These include the Kumiai, the Cucapá, the Pai Pai, the Kiliwa, the Cahilla, and the Akula tribes.
History
- 1804: The Spanish colony of California is divided into Alta ("upper") and Baja ("lower") California at the line separating the Franciscan missions in the north from the Dominican missions in the south.
- In 1850, Alta California is annexed by the United States.
- In 1853, Soldier of fortune William Walker captures La Paz, declaring himself President of the Republic of Lower California. The Mexican government forces his retreat after several months.
- In 1905, The Magonista revolutionary movement begins.
- In 1911, Mexicali and Tijuana are captured by the Partido Liberal Mexicano (PLM), but soon surrender to Federal forces.
- 1930: Baja California is further divided into Northern and Southern territories.
- 1952: Northern Baja California becomes the 29th state of Mexico. The southern portion, below 28°N, remains a federally administered territory.
- 1974: The southern territory becomes the 31st state, Baja California Sur.
- 1989: Ernesto Ruffo Appel of the PAN becomes the first non-PRI governor of Baja California and the first opposition governor of any state since the Revolution.
Municipalities
Baja California is subdivided into five municipios (municipalities). See municipalities of Baja California.
Education
Economics
- Industries
- Tourism
- Manufacturing
- Exports
- Imports
Pictures
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Baja California Desert at Cataviña Region, Ensenada County, Mexico
