La Paz, State capital in Baja California Sur, Mexico.
La Paz is the state capital of Baja California Sur and sits on the coast facing the bay of the same name, with terrain rising gently from sea level to about 27 meters (89 feet) inland. The city spreads along this bay with a mix of modern neighborhoods and older areas, while museums, schools, and fishing facilities shape daily life here.
Spanish explorers mapped La Paz Bay in 1533, and later Hernán Cortés attempted to establish a permanent settlement there. These early settlements failed due to local resistance and lack of supplies, but more stable communities developed much later.
The name La Paz means "peace" and reflects the hopeful vision of Spanish founders who arrived centuries ago. Today you can see this heritage in the waterfront buildings and how locals gather along the bay to enjoy the views.
Manuel Marquez de Leon International Airport connects the region to major cities in Mexico and offers seasonal flights to destinations in the United States. The best time to visit is between November and March when the weather is pleasant and dry.
La Paz covers a vast administrative territory that makes it Mexico's fourth largest municipality by land area. Yet most of this territory is undeveloped landscape with desert, mountains, and mangroves rather than urban regions.
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