Baja California, Mexican state at northwesternmost edge of Mexico.
Baja California occupies the northernmost tip of Mexico, stretching along both the Pacific coast and the Gulf of California across roughly 70,000 square kilometers of desert valleys, mountain ranges, and shoreline. The state borders California and Arizona to the north and includes several major urban centers along with rural areas that remain thinly populated.
Spanish missionaries established settlements here in the 1700s among indigenous groups who had lived along the coast and inland valleys for thousands of years. After becoming Mexican territory in the 1800s, the region gained statehood in 1952 following decades of gradual population growth.
In border cities like Tijuana and Mexicali, street markets blend Mexican tacos with Chinese dim sum and Korean barbecue, reflecting how people actually eat and shop daily. Festivals honor both Catholic saints and Lunar New Year traditions, showing how communities adapt celebrations to fit their mixed roots.
Border crossings into California can experience long waits during morning and evening rush periods, so plan extra time if traveling between countries. Coastal cities have services in both English and Spanish, while inland rural areas rely mainly on Spanish for communication.
The Sierra de San Pedro Mártir rises above 3,000 meters (around 10,000 feet) and supports pine forests surrounded by desert, with occasional winter snowfall at the peaks. An observatory sits at the summit, taking advantage of clear night skies far from urban lights.
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