Sub Menu
|
 |
Baja California is the northernmost state of
México. It is sometimes incorrectly 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 México. The state is bordered on the west
by the Pacific Ocean, on the east by Sonora and the Sea of Cortéz or
Gulf of California, and on the south by Baja California Sur. Its
northern limit is the U.S.-México 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 live 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,
Playas de Rosarito and Tecate.
History of Baja California
 | 1690s–1700s: Spanish settlement in California. |
| 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, after Alta California is annexed by the United States,
Baja California is further divided into northern and southern
territories. |
| 1952: Northern Baja California becomes the 29th state of México.
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. |
|
|
|
 |
|
"Baja has long been a haven for Americans
looking for a lower
cost of living,
cheap healthcare, warm weather, and a more relaxed pace of life."
|
 |
|
|
 |
|
The states 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. |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
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. |
|
|
.
|
Retire to Mexico? |
|
|
|
According to the
U.S. State department, it is estimated
that there are over a million Americans living in Mexico, many of them
fulfilling their dream
 |
|
|
|
