- Also called:
- Baja California Norte
Baja California
News •
-
Where is Baja California located?
Baja California is a state in northwestern Mexico. It is located on the northern half of the Baja California peninsula, bordering the United States (California and Arizona) to the north, the state of Sonora and the Gulf of California to the east, the Pacific Ocean to the west, and Baja California Sur to the south. Its capital, Mexicali, is situated on the U.S.-Mexico border, opposite Calexico, California.
2 Britannica SourcesCreated from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles. -
What is the capital city of Baja California?
The capital of Baja California, a state in northwestern Mexico, is Mexicali. The city is located on the U.S.-Mexico border, neighboring Calexico, California. The name Mexicali is a combination of "Mexico" and "California," symbolizing international friendship. Mexicali's economy has expanded beyond being a border checkpoint for tourists and shipments. It now relies on maquiladoras (export-oriented assembly plants) that produce consumer electronics, transportation equipment and processed foods.
4 Britannica SourcesCreated from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles. -
What countries and bodies of water border Baja California?
Baja California, a state in northwestern Mexico, is bordered by the United States (California and Arizona) to the north, the state of Sonora and the Gulf of California (Sea of Cortez) to the east, the Pacific Ocean to the west, and the state of Baja California Sur to the south. The state occupies the northern half of the Baja California peninsula.
2 Britannica SourcesCreated from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles. -
What is the climate like in Baja California?
The climate in Baja California is determined by three different climate zones, which influence the region's plant and animal life. The northwestern corner of the peninsula has winter cyclonic cold fronts that bring rain and fog from the north. Precipitation in this area ranges from 5 to 11 inches (130 to 280 mm) annually.
Southward from El Rosario and east of the Juarez-San Pedro Martir mountains is an excessively arid zone that extends through the waist of the peninsula to La Paz. The region south of La Paz receives late summer tropical rains averaging 5 inches (130 mm) annually on the coast and 25 inches (635 mm) or more in the higher mountains, with desert shrub in the lowlands and semideciduous forests in the more humid mountains.
Lowland temperatures in the peninsula range from below freezing to higher than 100 °F (38 °C). The gulf coast is hot and humid in the summer, while the Pacific side is much cooler. The growing season in the Baja Peninsula lasts more than 300 days.
6 Britannica SourcesCreated from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles. -
What are some important cities and towns in Baja California?
Baja California, a state in northwestern Mexico, boasts several important cities and towns. Its capital, Mexicali, sits on the U.S.-Mexico border, opposite Calexico, California. Tijuana, south of San Diego, California, is a leading center for manufacturing plants. Ensenada is one of Mexico’s busiest ports and a hub for the fishing industry. The beaches at Rosarito are a popular tourist destination, while Tecate is known for its brewery.
3 Britannica SourcesCreated from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles. -
What are some natural resources or industries found in Baja California?
Baja California's economy is boosted by its proximity to U.S. markets and export-oriented assembly plants known as maquiladoras. Key industries include electronics, textiles, plastics, metal products, and automobile components. Agriculture and industry attract many immigrants from other Mexican states and Central America. Fishing is also a major industry, centered in Ensenada, one of Mexico’s busiest ports. Tourism is significant because of short-term visitors from California; beaches at Rosarito and a brewery in Tecate are popular attractions.
3 Britannica SourcesCreated from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
Baja California, estado (state), northwestern Mexico, bounded to the north by the United States (California and Arizona), to the east by the state of Sonora and the Gulf of California (Sea of Cortez), to the west by the Pacific Ocean, and to the south by the state of Baja California Sur. Its capital city, Mexicali, lies on the U.S.-Mexico border, opposite Calexico, California.
The state occupies the northern half of the Baja California peninsula and consists of rugged granitic mountains, the Sierra de Juárez and the Sierra San Pedro Mártir. Much of the state is occupied by a westward extension of the Sonoran Desert. Coastal plains are narrow except in the extreme northeast, where the Colorado River has formed a delta. However, the Colorado is now used so heavily upstream (mainly to supply crop irrigation and the population centres north of the border) that its remaining waters typically evaporate or seep into the desert before reaching the gulf.
Although the state of Baja California has long been inhabited, settlement of the area has been sparse. The peninsula remained in Spanish possession until 1822, the year after Mexico gained its independence. In 1887 the peninsula was divided into two federal districts; the first capital of northern Baja California was at Ensenada. The district was redesignated as a federal territory in 1931 and became a state in 1952. The name was changed to Baja California Norte in 1974 to distinguish it from the newly created state of Baja California Sur, but by 1979 it was again officially called Baja California.
State government is headed by a governor elected to a single six-year term. Members of the unicameral House of Deputies serve terms of three years. The legislature can levy taxes, but in reality the state depends on the federal government for most of its revenue. Baja California is divided into five local governmental units called municipios (municipalities), each of which is headquartered in its largest town.
Baja California’s proximity to U.S. markets and the development of maquiladoras (export-oriented assembly plants) have spurred rapid growth. Implementation of the North American Free Trade Agreement in 1994 intensified the state’s economic ties with the United States. Tijuana, ideally situated just south of San Diego, California, is the leading maquiladora centre, followed by Mexicali and Tecate. Major manufactures include electronics, textiles, plastics, metal products, automobile components, paper, beverages, and processed foods. The state’s agriculture and industry attract large numbers of immigrants from other Mexican states and Central America. Baja California has one of Mexico’s largest fishing industries, which is centred on Ensenada, one of the country’s busiest ports.
Tourism is also important, notably because of the large number of short-term visitors from California. The beaches at Rosarito are popular with tourists, and Tecate has a famous brewery. Islands and coastal areas in the Gulf of California that belong to Baja California are part of a larger gulfwide UNESCO World Heritage site designated in 2005.
For centuries the various areas of the peninsula were isolated. By the mid-1970s, however, railroads and highways had been built between its principal cities. A major road to Baja California Sur originates at Tijuana and extends southward for some 1,000 miles (1,600 km). International airports are located at Mexicali and Tijuana. Baja California is a popular point of departure for migration to the United States. In addition, the border area has a reputation for international drug trafficking. Area 26,997 square miles (69,921 square km). Pop. (2020) 3,769,020.
The trusted destination for professionals, college students, and lifelong learners.
SUBSCRIBE
