Baja California Sur, State division in northwestern Mexico
Baja California Sur occupies the southern half of the Baja California Peninsula between the Pacific Ocean and the Gulf of California. The landscape shifts from dry desert plains inland to rocky cliffs and sandy beaches along both coasts.
The region became a separate state in 1974 after splitting from the northern Baja California territory. Before that, it remained a sparsely populated mission area under Spanish rule for centuries.
The name comes from Spanish meaning lower or southern, which refers to its position below the other Baja state. Fishing traditions shape daily life in coastal towns, where small boats bring in catches that appear at markets the same morning.
Several international airports connect the region to major cities, while Federal Highway 1 runs through the peninsula. The best time to visit is between November and April, when temperatures are milder and whales appear along the coasts.
The surrounding waters host nearly 40 percent of all marine mammal species on Earth. Gray whales migrate each year to the protected lagoons, where visitors can watch them from small boats.
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