Baja California

Two parts of California are Baja (Spanish) California and Lower (English) California that make up the peninsula. The peninsula is about 800 miles long, ranking third as one of the longest peninsula. Baja California is located n the north and Baja California Sur in the South. The country is a national leading producer of cotton and wheat. The main industry of the country is tourism. Hunting and deep sea fishing are a famous hobby. The waters have offered many opportunities to study marine life, plants, and artifacts. The two bodies of water that surround Baja California is the Sea of Cortés and the Pacific Ocean. Very important developments for Baja California are the foreign owned factories known as maquiladoras.

The early history

of Baja California began as early as 9,000-10,000 years ago. It was inhabited by three major ethnic groups, the Cochim (north), Guaycura (central), and the Pericú (south). Artifacts suggest that tribes lived in the peninsula as early as 9,000-10,000 years ago. The Cochim lived in the mainland. They were hunters and gatherers. The Cochim developed a complex agricultural system. The Guaycur’s and Pericú’s lived by hunting, gathering, and also fishing. The Pericú used various methods to enhance their fishing skills. They made wooden rafts and simplified forms of watercraft. Baja California Sur was inhabited as early as 11000 B.C. Sur also inhabited the three major ethnic groups listed above, but they had a fourth group called The Monquil. The Monquils lived near the group called Guaycuras. Most of the tribes produced pottery and were very skilled fishermen. Many of their descendants still live in Baja California.
The middle history began around the 16th century.

By the 1530’s, the Spanish had conquered the Mexican mainland. The land is very deserted and dry. The Spaniards mission back in the 16th century was to search for a fabled island of gold. Unfortunately, they failed to find the island of gold, but in 1535, the conquistador Herman Cortes discovered black pearls. The black pearls were found in the southern end of Baja California. Back in 1539, Francisco de Ulla attempted to colonize the country, but was unsuccessful in doing so. Herman Cortes returned back to Spain in 1541 and he also failed in exploring or colonizing Baja California. The state is not economically prosperous, but tourism has been on the rise especially around Los Cabos. Mexico’s independence began in 1810, but Baja California was not affected as much due to their small population. Many attempts were made in seizing or conquering the Peninsula, but many failed at the missions. The Spaniards created many missions on Baja California. The end of the Spanish rule in Mexico ended the mission’s administrative authority and Mexico gained Baja California in 1821 as a federal territory. Then by 1832, the governor converted all the missions into parish churches. Baja California Sur was a more isolated part of Mexico, so there were not many efforts in trying to colonize. In 1697, the Misión de Nuestra Senora de Loreto was the first mission in Baja California Sur. During the period of 1773, the Franciscans took

over Baja California Sur. With the new mass of population, it caused many diseases and violence and the population began declining during this period. Wealthy Mexicans have purchased large estates or resort ranches on the coast and have made tourism very prosperous for the country.
Between 1846 and 1848, the Mexican American War had major repercussions in Baja California and Baja California Sur. The war began after Mexico refused the United States offer to buy California and other states. Once the war was over, Mexico decided to agree with the United States on purchasing the terrioritories for $15 million, but the United States omitted the peninsula as part of the sale. Then, William Walker back in 1853-1854, tried to seize Baja from Mexico, but did not succeed as well. Baja Mexico became Mexico’s 29th state on December 31, 1952 and in 1953, the state constitution was adopted. Baja California Sur became a state on October 8, 1974. Both states were governed by President Porfirio Diaz in 1888.
The Native people that still live there today are the Paipai and Kumeyaay. The population is about 700. The small population lives in small communities such as San Jose de la Zorra which are located near the mountains. Most of them make their living by raising livestock and crops. They sell their handcrafts like willow baskets and pottery. They still believe in tradition and harvest most of their natural resources. Some of the resources are yuccas, honey, and pine nuts. Currently, they are using the natural resources to create medicine plants.
Spanish is the official language spoken.

In northern Baja indigenous languages are still spoken by the Paipai, Tipai, and Cucapah. The population for the State of Baja California is about 3.2 million. The population for the southern half is about 637,000. The primary religion is Catholicism. Religion and the belief in supernatural played a major role in Mexico. Many believed that Mexico was a place embedded with pure evil and they relied on their gods for guidance. The Indians believed the war among them and the Spaniards were battles between gods. Unfortunately, since the Indians lost the war this was the opportunity for the priests to convert the Indians into Christianity. Of course, the Indians resisted so the priest accommodated and agreed and allowed the Indians to worship to their local patron saints. Mexican Catholicism today embrace many different

practices.
The two bodies of water that surround Baja California are the Pacific Ocean and the Sea of Cortez and both bodies attract many marine lives to the country. You can find different types of sea lions, seals, whales, dolphins, and turtles. There are two types of turtles that live on the Baja beaches. They are called Olive Ridley or the Leatherbacks. These turtles can weigh from 90 to 1300 pounds and range from 26 to 70 inches. The turtle population continues to decline due to pollution, hunting, or accidentally being captured by nets. Another main attraction is the California Gray Whale. The whales migrate for Baja around October, they travel about 6000 miles before reaching Baja. Breeding takes place when in route to Baja and they will give birth to their calves in the warm lagoons. Then from February to May the whales will migrate back to the north.
Both states boost their economy from tourism, sport fishing, agriculture. Another source of contribution for Baja California Sur is salt mining. Salt is mined from the ocean and sold as table salt. Due to the coastline being so close to the states, they consume an abundance of seafood like lobster, shrimp, and tuna. Baja California has numerous beaches and very close to the United States, which has been a main attraction for tourists. Baja California Sur features more islands than any other state. The peninsula grows the world largest cactus. The cactuses can grow as high as 70 feet. The Mexican state has six border crossings into the United States. Tijuana is the largest Baja California city. Baja California has numerous professional sport teams. The teams are named, the Mexicali Suns (basketball), the Mexicali Eagles (baseball), the Tijuana Colts (baseball), and the Tijuana Xoloitzcuintles (soccer).
Both states are in the state of prospering economically with the help of the United States. Visitors can enjoy hunting and doing some deep sea fishing. Due to the enormous mass of maquiladoras, the states have offered many job opportunities to the people who live there. The peninsula and the surrounding waters have become paradise for many visitors. The states offer many places to visit throughout Mexico.