View source for Baja California

{{short description|State of Mexico}}
{{about|the Mexican state|the peninsula|Baja California peninsula|other uses|Baja California (disambiguation)}}
{{Distinguish|Southern California|Baja California Sur}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name               = Baja California
| official_name      = {{raise|0.2em|Free and Sovereign State of Baja California}}<br />{{nobold|''Estado Libre y Soberano de Baja California'' {{small|([[Mexican Spanish|Spanish]])}}}}
| native_name_lang   = 
| settlement_type    = [[States of Mexico|State]]
| image_flag         = Flag of Baja California.svg
| image_shield       = Coat of arms of Baja California.svg
| shield_size        = 75px
| shield_link        = Seal of Baja California
| flag_size          = 100px
| nickname           = 
| motto              = 
| anthem             = "[[Canto a Baja California]]"
| image_map          = Baja California in Mexico.svg
| map_caption        = State of Baja California within Mexico
| coordinates        = {{coord|30|00|N|115|10|W|region:MX-BCN_dim:1000000|display=inline,title}}
| coor_pinpoint      = 
| coordinates_footnotes = 
| subdivision_type   = Country
| subdivision_name   = {{flag|Mexico}}
| subdivision_type1  = [[Capital city|Capital]]
| subdivision_name1  = [[Mexicali]]
| subdivision_type2  = [[List of cities in Mexico|Largest city]]
| subdivision_name2  = [[Tijuana]]
| subdivision_type3  = [[Metropolitan area|Largest metro]]
| subdivision_name3  = [[Tijuana metropolitan area|Greater Tijuana]]
| subdivision_type4  = [[Municipalities of Mexico|Municipalities]]
| subdivision_name4  = [[Municipalities of Baja California|7]]
| established_title  = Before statehood
| established_date   = [[North Territory of Baja California]]
| established_title1 = [[Sovereign state|Admission]]
| established_date1  = 16 January 1952<ref>{{cite news|title=Transformación Política de Territorio Norte de la Baja California a Estado 29|url=http://www.bajacalifornia.gob.mx/portal/nuestro_estado/historia/transformacion.jsp|trans-title=Political Transformation of the North Territory of Peninsula de California to the 29th State|language=es|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190914040139/http://www.bajacalifornia.gob.mx/portal/nuestro_estado/historia/transformacion.jsp|archive-date=14 September 2019|access-date=20 July 2008}}</ref> ([[Political divisions of Mexico#States|29th]])
| seat_type          = 
| seat               = 
| seat1_type         = 
| seat1              = 
| seat2_type         = 
| seat2              = 
| leader_title       = [[Governor of Baja California|Governor]]
| leader_name        = [[File:Morena logo (Mexico).svg|link=Morena (political party)|23px]] [[Marina del Pilar Ávila Olmeda|Marina del Pilar Ávila]]
| leader_title1      = [[List of Mexican state legislatures|Legislature]]
| leader_name1       = [[Congress of Baja California]]
| leader_title2      = [[Senate of Mexico|Senators]]
| leader_name2       = {{nowrap|[[File:PT_Party_(Mexico).svg|link=Labor Party (Mexico)|23px]]&nbsp;[[Jaime Bonilla Valdez]]<br />[[File:PT_Party_(Mexico).svg|link=Labor Party (Mexico)|23px]]&nbsp;[[Alejandra León Gastélum]]<br />[[File:PAN Party (Mexico).svg|link=National Action Party (Mexico)|23px]]&nbsp;[[Gina Cruz Blackledge]]}}
| leader_title3      = [[Chamber of Deputies of Mexico|Deputies]]
| leader_name3       = {{Collapsible list
 |title       = [[LXV Legislature of the Mexican Congress#Chamber of Deputies 2|Federal Deputies]]
 |frame_style = border:none; padding: 0;
 |title_style = <!-- (optional) -->
 |list_style  = text-align:left;display:none;
 |1           = {{nowrap|• [[File:Morena logo (Mexico).svg|link=Morena (political party)|23px]]&nbsp;[[Yesenia Olúa González]]&nbsp;([[I Federal Electoral District of Baja California|1st]])}}
 |2           = {{nowrap|• [[File:Morena logo (Mexico).svg|link=Morena (political party)|23px]]&nbsp;[[Julieta Andrea Ramírez Padilla]]&nbsp;([[II Federal Electoral District of Baja California|2nd]])}}
 |3           = {{nowrap|• [[File:PT_Party_(Mexico).svg|link=Labor Party (Mexico)|23px]]&nbsp;[[Armando Reyes Ledesma]]&nbsp;([[III Federal Electoral District of Baja California|3rd]])}}
 |4           = {{nowrap|• [[File:Morena logo (Mexico).svg|link=Morena (political party)|23px]]&nbsp;[[Socorro Irma Andazola Gómez]]&nbsp;([[IV Federal Electoral District of Baja California|4th]])}}
 |5           = {{nowrap|• [[File:Morena logo (Mexico).svg|link=Morena (political party)|23px]]&nbsp;[[Evangelina Moreno Guerra]]&nbsp;([[V Federal Electoral District of Baja California|5th]])}}
 |6           = {{nowrap|• [[File:Morena logo (Mexico).svg|link=Morena (political party)|23px]]&nbsp;[[Héctor Mares Cossío]]&nbsp;([[VI Federal Electoral District of Baja California|6th]])}}
 |7           = {{nowrap|• [[File:Morena logo (Mexico).svg|link=Morena (political party)|23px]]&nbsp;[[Isaías Bertín Sandoval]]&nbsp;([[VII Federal Electoral District of Baja California|7th]])}}
 |8           = {{nowrap|• [[File:Logo Partido Verde (México).svg|link=Ecologist Green Party of Mexico|23px]]&nbsp;[[Fausto Gallardo García]]&nbsp;([[VIII Federal Electoral District of Baja California|8th]])}}
}}
| unit_pref          = Metric<!-- or U.S. or U.K. -->
| area_footnotes     = <ref>{{cite web|title=Medio Físico del Estado de Baja California|trans-title=Landscape of the State of Baja California|language=es|url=http://e-local.gob.mx/work/templates/enciclo/bajacalifornia/medi.htm|website=Enciclopedia de los Municipios de México|access-date=12 February 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120308034152/http://e-local.gob.mx/work/templates/enciclo/bajacalifornia/medi.htm|archive-date=8 March 2012}}</ref>
| area_total_km2     = 71450
| area_land_km2      = 
| area_water_km2     = 
| area_water_percent = 
| area_rank          = [[List of Mexican states by area|12th]]
| elevation_m        = 
| elevation_max_footnotes = <ref>{{cite book|title=Promexico|last=Saldierna|first=J. F.|publisher=Editorial Emán|page=68}}</ref>{{Full citation needed|date=September 2020}}
| elevation_max_m    = 
| elevation_max_ft   = 
| elevation_min_m    = 
| elevation_min_ft   = 
| population_total   = 3,769,020<ref name="collapse-Indicadores">{{Cite web|url=https://www.inegi.org.mx/app/areasgeograficas/#tabMCcollapse-Indicadores|title=México en cifras|date=January 2016|access-date=25 January 2021|archive-date=18 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210718104723/https://www.inegi.org.mx/app/areasgeograficas/#tabMCcollapse-Indicadores|url-status=live}}</ref>
| population_footnotes = <ref name=Intercensal2015>{{cite web|url=http://www.inegi.org.mx/est/contenidos/proyectos/encuestas/hogares/especiales/ei2015/doc/eic_2015_presentacion.pdf|title=Encuesta Intercensal 2015|trans-title=Inter-census Survey 2015|language=es|publisher=[[INEGI]]|access-date=8 December 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151210230740/http://www.inegi.org.mx/est/contenidos/proyectos/encuestas/hogares/especiales/ei2015/doc/eic_2015_presentacion.pdf|archive-date=2015-12-10}}</ref>
| population_as_of   = 2020
| population_density_km2 = auto
| population_density_rank = [[List of Mexican states by population density|19th]]
| population_demonym = {{lang|es|Bajacaliforniano(a)}}
| population_note    = 
| population_rank    = [[List of Mexican states by population|14th]]
| demographics_type2 = GDP
| demographics2_footnotes = <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.banamex.com/sitios/analisis-financiero/pdf/revistas//IRAE/IRAE2023.pdf|title=Indicadores Regionales de Actividad Económica 2023|author=Citibanamex|language=es|date=June 13, 2023|access-date=August 13, 2023|archive-date=17 June 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230617233622/https://www.banamex.com/sitios/analisis-financiero/pdf/revistas//IRAE/IRAE2023.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>
| demographics2_title1 = Total
| demographics2_info1 = MXN 1.082 trillion<br />(US$53.9 billion) (2022)
| demographics2_title2 = Per capita
| demographics2_info2 = (US$14,185) (2022)
| timezone1          = [[Pacific Standard Time|PST]]
| utc_offset1        = -8
| timezone1_DST      = [[Pacific Daylight Time|PDT]]{{Ref label|engfactobox|a|}}
| utc_offset1_DST    = -7
| postal_code_type   = [[Postal codes in Mexico|Postal code]]
| postal_code        = 21, 22
| area_code_type     = [[Area code]]
| area_code          = {{Collapsible list
 |title       = [[Area codes in Mexico by code (600-699)|Area codes]]
 |frame_style = border:none; padding: 0;
 |title_style = <!-- (optional) -->
 |list_style  = text-align:left;display:none;
 |1           = • 615
 |2           = • 616
 |3           = • 646
 |4           = • 653
 |5           = • 658
 |6           = • 661
 |7           = • 664
 |8           = • 665
 |9           = • 686
}}
| iso_code           = MX-BCN
| blank_name_sec1    = [[Human Development Index|HDI]]
| blank_info_sec1    = {{increase}} 0.830 <span style="color:#090;">very high</span> <small>[[List of Mexican states by HDI|Ranked 5th of 32]]</small>
| website            = {{Official website|http://www.bajacalifornia.gob.mx}}
| footnotes          = {{note|engfactobox}}a. 2010 and later. Baja California is the only state to use the U.S. DST schedule state-wide, while the rest of Mexico (except for small portions of other northern states) observes standard time year-round.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.timeanddate.com/time/dst/2023.html|title=Daylight Saving Time Around the World 2023|website=timeanddate.com|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221104024842/https://www.timeanddate.com/time/dst/2023.html|archive-date=2022-11-04}}</ref>
{{note|engoffbox}}b. The state's GDP was 294.8{{nbsp}}billion [[Mexican peso|pesos]] in 2008,<ref>{{cite web|title=Sistema de Cuantas Nacionales de México|language=es|url=http://www.inegi.org.mx/prod_serv/contenidos/espanol/bvinegi/productos/derivada/regionales/pib/pibe2006.pdf|year=2010|page=40|publisher=[[INEGI]]|access-date=1 October 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110722204506/http://www.inegi.org.mx/prod_serv/contenidos/espanol/bvinegi/productos/derivada/regionales/pib/pibe2006.pdf|archive-date=22 July 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref> an amount corresponding to 23.03{{nbsp}}billion [[United States dollars]], with US$1 valued at 12.80 pesos (value of 3 June 2010).<ref>{{cite web|title=Reporte: Jueves 3 de Junio del 2010. Cierre del peso mexicano|trans-title=Report: Thursday, 3 June 2010. Close of the Mexican peso|language=es|url=http://www.pesomexicano.com.mx/archivo/2010/junio/03/reporte-jueves-3-de-junio-del-2010--cierre-del-peso-mexicano.htm#leermas|date=3 June 2010|publisher=PesoMexicano|access-date=10 August 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100608173515/http://www.pesomexicano.com.mx/archivo/2010/junio/03/reporte-jueves-3-de-junio-del-2010--cierre-del-peso-mexicano.htm#leermas|archive-date=8 June 2010|url-status=dead}}</ref>
}}

'''Baja California''',{{efn|This state is often informally referred to as {{lang|es|Baja California Norte}} (literally "Lower California North" or "North Lower California" in English) or {{lang|es|Baja Norte}}, to distinguish it from both the [[Baja California peninsula]] as a whole, of which it forms the northern half, and [[Baja California Sur]], the adjacent state that covers the southern half of the peninsula. While ''Baja Norte'' and ''Baja California Norte'' are well-established terms for the northern half of the Baja California peninsula, they do not officially exist as political designations for any state or region.  The latter name (''Baja California Norte'') was officially adopted from 1974 to 1979,<ref>''Lands and Peoples: North America'' (Volume 5 of ''Lands and Peoples'', [[Grolier]], 2005), p. 390.</ref> and endured unofficially thereafter.<ref>"[https://timesofsandiego.com/business/2021/04/23/baja-california-embraces-new-branding-to-boost-tourism-during-pandemic-recovery/ Baja California Embraces New Branding to Boost Tourism During Pandemic Recovery] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220906212629/https://timesofsandiego.com/business/2021/04/23/baja-california-embraces-new-branding-to-boost-tourism-during-pandemic-recovery/ |date=6 September 2022 }}", ''[[Times of San Diego]]'' (23 Apr 2021).</ref>  In other words, "The northern state is officially known as Baja California, but since that name is easily confused with the name for the entire peninsula, it is commonly referred to by visitors and locals alike as Baja Norte."<ref>Jones, Fred and Jones, Gloria. ''Baja Camping: The Complete Guide'', p. 6 ([[Perseus Books Group|Avalon Travel Publishing]], 1994).</ref>|group="note"}}{{efn|{{IPA|es|ˈbaxa kaliˈfoɾnja|-|BajaCalifornia.ogg}}; 'Lower California'}} officially the '''Free and Sovereign State of Baja California''',{{efn|{{langx|es|Estado Libre y Soberano de Baja California}}}} is a state in [[Mexico]]. It is the northwesternmost of the [[Political divisions of Mexico|32 federal entities]] of Mexico. Before becoming a state in 1952, the area was known as the North Territory of Baja California ({{lang|es|Territorio Norte de Baja California}}). It has an area of {{convert|70113|km2|sqmi|0|abbr=on}} (3.57% of the land mass of Mexico) and comprises the northern half of the [[Baja California peninsula]], north of the [[28th parallel north|28th parallel]], plus oceanic [[Guadalupe Island]]. The mainland portion of the state is bordered on the west by the [[Pacific Ocean]], on the east by [[Sonora]] and the northern [[Gulf of California]], on the north by the [[United States]] and on the south by [[Baja California Sur]].

The state has an estimated population of 3,769,020 as of 2020,<ref name="collapse-Indicadores"/> significantly higher than the sparsely populated Baja California Sur to the south, and similar to [[San Diego County, California]], to its north. Over 75% of the population lives in [[Mexicali]] (the state's capital city), [[Ensenada, Baja California|Ensenada]], or [[Tijuana]] (the state's largest city). Other important cities include [[San Felipe, Baja California|San Felipe]], [[Rosarito]], and [[Tecate]].

Baja California is the 12th-largest state by area in Mexico. Its geography ranges from beaches to forests and deserts. The backbone of the state is the Sierra de Baja California, where [[Picacho del Diablo]], the highest point of the peninsula, is located. This mountain range effectively divides the weather patterns in the state. In the northwest, the weather is semi-dry and [[Mediterranean (climate)|Mediterranean]]. In the narrow center, the weather changes to be more humid due to altitude. It is in this area where a few valleys can be found, such as the [[Valle de Guadalupe]], the major wine-producing area in Mexico. To the east of the mountain range, the [[Sonoran Desert]] dominates the landscape. In the south, the weather becomes drier and gives way to the [[Vizcaíno Desert]]. The state is also home to numerous islands off both of its shores. Baja California is also home to [[Guadalupe Island]], the westernmost point of Mexico. The [[Coronado Islands]], [[Isla Todos Santos|Todos Santos islands]], and [[Cedros Island]] are also on the Pacific shore. On the Gulf of California, the largest island is [[Angel de la Guarda Island]], separated from the peninsula by the deep and narrow [[Canal de Ballenas]].

==History==
===Prehistory and Spanish colonial era===
[[File:Detail of Queen Califia in the "California's Name" mural (Lucile Lloyd, 1937) (cropped).gif|thumb|upright|The [[Etymology of California|word "California"]] and its namesake ruler, [[Calafia|Queen Calafia]], originate in the 1510 epic ''[[Las Sergas de Esplandián]]'', written by [[Garci Rodríguez de Montalvo]].]]

The first people came to the peninsula at least 11,000 years ago. At that time, two main native groups are thought to have been present on the peninsula – the [[Cochimí]] in the south, and several groups belonging to the [[Yuman language family]] in the north, including the [[Kiliwa people|Kiliwa]], [[Paipai people|Paipai]], [[Kumeyaay]], [[Cocopa]], and [[Quechan]]. These peoples were diverse in their adaptations to the region. The Cochimí of the peninsula's Central Desert were generalized hunter-gatherers who moved frequently; however, the Cochimí on Cedros Island off the west coast developed a strong maritime economy. The Kiliwa, Paipai, and Kumeyaay in the better-watered northwest were also hunter-gatherers, but that region supported denser populations and a more sedentary lifestyle. The Cocopa and Quechan of northeastern Baja California practiced agriculture in the floodplain of the lower [[Colorado River]].

Another group of people was the Guachimis, who came from the north and created much of the [[UNESCO World Heritage]]-recognized [[Sierra de Guadalupe cave paintings]]. Not much is known about them except that they lived in the area between 100{{nbsp}}BC and 1300{{nbsp}}AD.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/714|title=Rock Paintings of the Sierra de San Francisco|website=[[World Heritage List]]|publisher=[[UNESCO World Heritage]] Convention|access-date=12 June 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150628232659/https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/714/|archive-date=2015-06-28}}</ref>

Europeans reached the present state of Baja California in 1539, when [[Francisco de Ulloa]] [[wikt:reconnoitered|reconnoitered]] its east coast on the Gulf of California and explored the peninsula's west coast at least as far north as Cedros Island. [[Hernando de Alarcón]] returned to the east coast and ascended the lower Colorado River in 1540, and [[Juan Rodríguez Cabrillo]] (or João Rodrigues Cabrilho {{in lang|pt}}) completed the reconnaissance of the west coast in 1542. [[Sebastián Vizcaíno]] again surveyed the west coast in 1602, but outside visitors during the following century were few.

The [[Jesuits]] founded a permanent mission colony on the peninsula at [[Loreto, Baja California Sur|Loreto]] in 1697. During the following decades, they gradually extended their sway throughout the present state of Baja California Sur. In 1751–1753, the Croatian Jesuit mission-explorer [[Ferdinand Konščak]] made overland explorations northward into the state of Baja California. Jesuit missions were subsequently established among the Cochimí at [[Misión Santa Gertrudis|Santa Gertrudis]] (1752), [[Misión San Francisco Borja|San Borja]] (1762), and [[Misión Santa María de los Ángeles|Santa María]] (1767).

After the [[expulsion of the Jesuits]] in 1768, the short-lived [[Franciscan]] administration (1768–1773) resulted in one new mission at [[Misión San Fernando Rey de España de Velicatá|San Fernando Velicatá]]. More importantly, the 1769 expedition to settle Alta California under [[Gaspar de Portolà]] and [[Junípero Serra]] resulted in the first overland exploration of the northwestern portion of the state.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mocavo.com/History-of-Riverside-County-California/107384/24|title=History of Riverside County, California|website=Mocavo|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160316032333/http://www.mocavo.com/History-of-Riverside-County-California/107384/24|archive-date=2016-03-16}}</ref>
[[File:Limites de las Californias.png|thumb|275x275px|Evolution of the political boundaries of the Californias:{{Legend-line|2px solid Maroon|[[Palóu Line]] (1804–1836)}}{{Legend-line|2px solid #007FFF|Gila River; border between Las Californias/Alta California and Sonora (1767–1847)}}{{Legend-line|2px solid Black|[[Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo]] (1848–present)}}{{Legend-line|2px solid Red|Baja California Sur boundary (1931–present)}}]]
The [[Dominican Order|Dominicans]] took over management of the Baja California missions from the Franciscans in 1773. They established a chain of new missions among the northern Cochimí and western Yumans, first on the coast and subsequently inland, extending from [[Misión Nuestra Señora del Santísimo Rosario de Viñacado|El Rosario]] (1774) to [[Misión El Descanso|Descanso]] (1817), just south of Tijuana below the [[Palóu Line]].

In 1804, the Spanish crown divided California into [[Alta California|Alta ('Upper')]] and [[Baja California Peninsula|Baja ('Lower') California]] at the line separating the [[Franciscan]] missions in the north from the [[Dominican Order|Dominican]] missions in the south.
The colonial governors were José Joaquín de Arillaga (1804–1805), [[Felipe de Goicoechea]] (1806–1814),
and [[José Darío Argüello]] (1814{{snd}}April 11, 1822).

===Post-independence, 1821–present===
====Early republic====
[[Liberalism in Mexico|Mexican liberals]] were concerned that the [[Roman Catholic Church]] retained too much power in the post-independence period and sought to undermine it by mandating the [[Mexican secularization act of 1833|secularization of missions]] in 1833. In the aftermath of the [[Mexican American War]] (1846–1848) and the [[Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo]], the United States gained sovereignty over territory previously held first by [[New Spain]] and then Mexico, most of which was sparsely settled. Alta California was incorporated into the U.S., and during the [[California Gold Rush]], quickly gained enough population to be admitted to the union as a state. Baja California gains control of where is now the cities of [[Tijuana]], [[Mexicali]], and [[Tecate]] from Alta California after the treaty and remained under Mexican control. In 1853, soldier of fortune ([[mercenary]]) [[William Walker (filibuster)|William Walker]] captured [[La Paz, Baja California Sur|La Paz]], declaring himself president of the [[Republic of Baja California]]. The Mexican government forced his retreat after several months.

====Era of Porfirio Díaz====
When liberal army general [[Porfirio Díaz]] came to power in 1876, he embarked on a major program to develop and modernize Mexico.

*1884: Luis Huller and [[George H. Sisson]] obtain a concession covering much of the present state in return for promises to develop the area.<ref>{{cite journal|last=de Novelo|first=Maria Eugenia Bonifaz|title=Ensenada: Its background, founding and early development|journal=[[The Journal of San Diego History]]|publisher=[[San Diego Historical Society]]|year=1984|issue=Winter|volume=30|url=http://www.sandiegohistory.org/journal/84winter/ensenada.htm|access-date=20 July 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080820112906/http://sandiegohistory.org/journal/84winter/ensenada.htm|archive-date=20 August 2008|url-status=dead}}</ref>
*1905: The ''[[Magonista]]'' revolution, an [[anarchist]] movement based on the writings of [[Ricardo Flores Magón]] and [[Enrique Flores Magón]], begins.
*1911: Mexicali and Tijuana are captured by the [[Mexican Liberal Party]] ({{lang|es|Partido Liberal Mexicano}}, PLM), but soon surrender to Federal forces.

====Postrevolutionary Mexico====
*1917: On 11 December, "[a] prominent Mexican, close friend of President [[Venustiano Carranza|Carranza]]" offered to [[U.S. Senator]] [[Henry F. Ashurst|Henry Ashurst]] to sell Baja California to the U.S. for "fifty million dollars gold".<ref>{{cite book|last=Ashurst|first=Henry Fountain|editor-last=Sparks|editor-first=George F.|title=A Many-Colored Toga: The Diary of Henry Fountain Ashurst|location=Tucson, AZ|publisher=[[The University of Arizona Press]]|year=1962|page=74}}</ref>
*1931: Baja California is further divided into Northern and Southern territories.
*1952: The ''North Territory of Baja California'' becomes the 29th state of [[Mexico]], Baja California. The southern portion (below 28°N) remains a federally administered territory.
*1974: The ''South Territory of Baja California'' becomes the 31st state, Baja California Sur.
*1989: [[Ernesto Ruffo Appel]] of the [[National Action Party (Mexico)|National Action Party]] (PAN) becomes the first non-[[Institutional Revolutionary Party]] governor of Baja California and the first opposition governor of any state since the [[Mexican Revolution|Revolution]]. Baja California would acquire a reputation as a stronghold for PAN into the 2010s.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Dibble |first=Sandra |date=2012-07-02 |title=PAN loss in Baja California mirrors Mexico's trend |url=https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/2012/07/02/pan-loss-in-baja-california-mirrors-mexicos-trend/ |access-date=2024-06-14 |website=San Diego Union-Tribune |language=en-US |quote="Following the national trend, voters across this northwest border state — long viewed as a stronghold of the PAN — backed Enrique Peña Nieto of the Institutional Revolutionary Party in the presidential race." |archive-date=14 June 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240614192119/https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/2012/07/02/pan-loss-in-baja-california-mirrors-mexicos-trend/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Geography==
[[File:Devils-Peak Sierra-SanPedroMartir BajaCalifornia Mexico.jpg|thumb|right|[[Sierra de San Pedro Mártir]], with [[Picacho del Diablo]] in the center]]

Baja California encompasses a territory within [[the Californias]] region of North America, which exhibits diverse geography for a relatively small area. The [[Peninsular ranges]] of the California cordillera run down the geographic center of the state. The most notable ranges of these mountains are the [[Sierra de Juárez]] and the [[Sierra de San Pedro Mártir]]. These ranges are the location of forests reminiscent of [[Southern California]]'s [[San Gabriel Mountains]]. Picacho del Diablo is the highest peak on the peninsula. Valleys between the mountain ranges are located within a climate zone that is suitable for agriculture. Such valleys include the Valle de Guadalupe and the Valle de Ojos Negros, areas that produce citrus fruits and grapes. The mineral-rich mountain range extends southwards to the Gulf of California, where the western slope becomes wider, forming the Llanos del Berrendo on the border with Baja California Sur. The mountain ranges located in the center and southern part of the state include the [[Sierra de La Asamblea]], Sierra de Calamajué, Sierra de San Luis and the [[Sierra de San Borja]].

[[File:Baja coast.jpg|thumb|left|''[[Coreopsis maritima|Leptosyne maritima]]'' growing on the [[Ensenada Municipality]] coast, typical of the [[California coastal sage and chaparral]] ecoregion]]
Temperate winds from the Pacific Ocean and the cold [[California Current]] make the climate along the northwestern coast pleasant year-round.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://smn.cna.gob.mx/productos/normales/estacion/bc/NORMAL02011.TXT|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070625074430/http://smn.cna.gob.mx/productos/normales/estacion/bc/NORMAL02011.TXT|url-status=dead|archive-date=25 June 2007|title=Normales Climatológicas 1971–2000|publisher=[[Servicio Meteorológico Nacional (Mexico)|Servicio Meteorológico Nacional]]|date=25 June 2007|format=TXT}}</ref> As a result of the state's location on the California Current, rains from the north barely reach the peninsula, thus leaving southern areas drier. South of the [[El Rosario, Baja California|El Rosario]] River, the state changes from a Mediterranean landscape to a desert one. This desert exhibits diverse [[succulent]] species that flourish in part due to the [[coastal fog]].

To the east, the Sonoran Desert enters the state from both California and Sonora. Some of the highest temperatures in Mexico are recorded in or nearby the Mexicali Valley.{{efn|Delta in the northeast recorded {{convert|54.0|C|F}} on 3 August 1998.}} However, with irrigation from the Colorado River, this area has become a true [[Mexicali#The building of an agricultural empire|agricultural center]]. The [[Cerro Prieto]] geothermal province is near Mexicali as well (this area is geologically part of a large [[pull apart basin]]); it produces about 80% of the electricity consumed in the state and enough additional power to export to California. [[Laguna Salada (Baja California)|Laguna Salada]], a saline lake below sea level lying between the rugged Sierra de Juárez and the Sierra de los Cucapah, is also in the vicinity of Mexicali. The state government has recently been considering plans to revive Laguna Salada.{{efn|The state is currently (2008) looking at a plan by [[SDSU]] Adj. Professor Newcomb (ICATS){{Explain|reason=What does "ICATS" stand for?|date=September 2020}} to do this using his geothermal desalination system to supply water locally. [[SEMARNAT]] believes this to be the first viable plan presented.{{citation needed|date=August 2017}}}} The highest mountain in the Sierra de los Cucapah is Cerro del Centinela or [[Mount Signal]]. The Cucapah are the primary indigenous people from the mountains north to [[Yuma, Arizona]].

[[File:Ensenada Grande.jpg|thumb|right|[[Isla Partida]], part of the [[San Lorenzo Marine Archipelago National Park]]]]
There are numerous islands on the Pacific shore. Guadalupe Island is located in the extreme west of the state's boundaries and is the site of large colonies of [[sea lion]]s. Cedros Island exists in the southwest of the state's maritime region. The Todos Santos islands and Coronado Islands are located off the coasts of Ensenada and Tijuana, respectively. All of the islands in the Gulf of California on the Baja California side belong to the municipality of Mexicali.

Baja California obtains much of its water from the Colorado River. Historically, the river drained into the [[Colorado River Delta]] and then flowed into the Gulf of California, but due to large demands for water in the [[American Southwest]], less water now reaches the Gulf. The [[Tijuana metropolitan area]] also relies on the [[Tijuana River]] as a source of water. Much of rural Baja California depends predominantly on wells, a few dams and even oases. Tijuana also purchases water from San Diego County's Otay Water District. Potable water is the largest natural resource issue of the state.

===Climate===
[[File:Carignan vineyard.jpg|thumb|Vineyard in the [[Valle de Guadalupe]]]]

Baja California's climate varies from [[Mediterranean climate|Mediterranean]] to [[arid climate|arid]]. The Mediterranean climate is found in the northwestern corner of the state, where the summers are dry and mild and the winters cool and rainy. This climate is observed in areas from Tijuana to [[San Quintín, Baja California|San Quintín]] and nearby interior valleys. The cold oceanic California Current often creates a low-level marine fog near the coast. The fog occurs along any part of the Pacific coast of the state.<!-- (I'm commenting this out because the numbers are missing. If you can fill those in, optimally with a source, please reinstate. Thanks!) Rainfall in the Tijuana to Ensenada area is about ? per year, increasing inland with elevation. Tecate, in the mountains east of Tijuana, receives ? of precipitation per year. -->

[[File:Paisaje con nieve.jpg|thumb|Snowfall at [[Constitution 1857 National Park]]]]

The change of altitude towards the Sierra de Baja California creates an [[alpine climate]] in this region. Summers are cool, while winters can be cold with below freezing temperatures at night. It is common to see snow in the Sierra de Juárez, Sierra de San Pedro Mártir and in the valleys in between the two ranges from December to April. Due to [[orographic]] effects, precipitation is much higher in the mountains of northern Baja California than on the western coastal plain or eastern desert plain.<!-- (I'm commenting this out because the numbers are missing. If you can fill those in, optimally with a source, please reinstate. Thanks!) The highest slopes receive up to ? of rainfall per year, during winter frontal passages and summer thunderstorms. --> Pine, cedar and fir forests are found in the mountains.

The mountains produce a [[rain shadow]] to the east of their peaks, creating an extremely arid environment. The Sonoran Desert region of Baja California experiences hot summers and nearly frostless mild winters. The Mexicali Valley (which is below sea level) experiences the highest temperatures in Mexico, frequently surpassing {{convert|47|C|F|1}} in mid-summer, and exceeding {{convert|50|C|F}} on some occasions.

Further south along the Pacific coast, the Mediterranean climate transitions into a desert climate, but it is milder and not as hot as along the gulf coast. Transition climates, from Mediterranean to desert, can be found from San Quintín to [[El Rosario, Baja California|El Rosario]]. Further inland and along the Gulf of California, the vegetation is scarce and temperatures are very high during the summer months. The islands in the Gulf of California also have a desert climate. Some oases can be found in the desert where few towns are located – for instance, [[Catavina]], San Borja and Santa Gertrudis.{{Which|date=September 2020}}<ref name="Martínez-Ballesté">{{cite journal|last1=Martínez-Ballesté|first1=Andrea|last2=Ezcurra|first2=Exequiel|title=Reconstruction of past climatic events using oxygen isotopes in Washingtonia robusta growing in three anthropic oases in Baja California Sur|journal=Boletín de la Sociedad Geológica Mexicana|year=2018|volume=70|number=1|pages=79–94|doi=10.18268/BSGM2018v70n1a5|doi-access=free|bibcode=2018BoSGM..70...79M }}</ref>

===Flora and fauna===
Common trees at the higher elevations are the [[Jeffrey pine]], [[sugar pine]] and [[pinon pine]].<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Brandegee|first1=Katharine Layne|last2=Brandegee|first2=Townshend Stith|year=1894|title=Flora of the Cape Region<!--Please verify source-->|journal=Zoe: A Biological Journal|publisher=Zoe Publishing Company|via=[[Biodiversity Heritage Library]]|volume=4|number=4|url=https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/item/14464#page/1/mode/1up|access-date=14 September 2020|archive-date=11 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200611043037/https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/item/14464#page/1/mode/1up|url-status=live}}</ref>{{Full citation needed|date=September 2020}} [[Understory]] species include [[manzanita]]. There is a variety of reptiles, including the [[western fence lizard]], which is at the southern extent of its range.<ref>{{cite web|last=Hogan|first=C. Michael|date=30 August 2008|url=http://www.globaltwitcher.com/artspec_info.asp?thingid=55037|url-status=usurped|title=Western fence lizard (Sceloporus occidentalis)|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120213134001/http://www.globaltwitcher.com/artspec_info.asp?thingid=55037|archive-date=13 February 2012|website=Globaltwitcher|editor-last=Stromberg|editor-first=Nicklas}}</ref> The name of the fish genus ''[[Bajacalifornia]]'' is derived from the Baja California peninsula.<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Townsend|first1=Charles H.|last2=Nichols|first2=John T.|title=Deep Sea Fishes of the 'Albatross' Lower California Expedition|journal=[[Bulletin of the American Museum of Natural History]]|volume=52|year=1925|hdl=2246/1170|url=http://digitallibrary.amnh.org/handle/2246/1170|access-date=14 September 2020|archive-date=25 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200825201006/http://digitallibrary.amnh.org/handle/2246/1170|url-status=live}}</ref>

In the main wildlife refuges on the peninsula of Baja California, [[Constitution 1857 National Park]] and [[Sierra de San Pedro Mártir National Park]], several coniferous species can be found. The most abundant are Jeffrey pine, ''[[Pinus ponderosa]]'', ''[[Pinus cembroides]]'', ''[[Pinus quadrifolia]]'', ''[[Pinus monophylla]]'', ''[[Juniperus]]'', [[Arctostaphylos pringlei|''Arctostaphylos pringlei'' subsp. ''drupacea'']], ''[[Artemisia ludoviciana]]'' and ''[[Adenostoma sparsifolium]]''. Baja California shares many plant species with the [[Laguna Mountains]] and [[San Jacinto Mountains]] in southwest California. The lower elevations of the Sierra de Juárez are characterized by [[chaparral]] and [[desert shrub]]. [[Guadalupe Island]] and its surrounding waters, {{convert|250|km|mile}} off the Pacific coast, has been designated the [[Guadalupe Island Biosphere Reserve]] to preserve endangered marine and terrestrial species of animals and plants.

The fauna in the parks include a large number of mammals, primarily [[mule deer]], [[bighorn sheep]], [[cougar]]s, [[bobcat]]s, [[ringtail cat]]s, [[coyote]]s, [[rabbit]]s, [[squirrel]]s and more than 30 species of [[bat]]s. The park is also home to many avian species like [[bald eagle]]s, [[golden eagle]]s, [[falcon]]s, [[woodpecker]]s, [[black vulture]]s, [[crow]]s, and several species of [[Sittidae]] and [[duck]].

<div align=center>
<!-- galería de mapas -->
{| class="toc" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="2" style="width:800px; float:center"
| colspan="8"  style="text-align:center; background:#green; color:white; font-size:100%; background-color:green;"|'''Flora and fauna of Baja California'''
|-
|  style="text-align:center; background:white;"| 
|  style="text-align:center; background:white;"|[[File:MountainLion.jpg|125px]]
|  style="text-align:center; background:white;"|[[File:California Quail mail in Golden Gate Park.JPG|120px]]
|  style="text-align:center; background:white;"|[[File:Vaquita7 Olson NOAA.jpg|125px]]
|  style="text-align:center; background:white;"|[[File:Gymnogyps californianus -San Diego Zoo-8a.jpg|125px]]
|-  style="text-align:center; background:#e9e9e9;"
|| [[Sea otter]]
|| [[Cougar]]
|| [[California quail]]
|| [[Vaquita]]
|| [[California condor]]
|-
|  style="text-align:center; background:white;"|[[File:Antilocapra americana.jpg|120px]]
|  style="text-align:center; background:white;"|[[File:White shark.jpg|125px]]
|  style="text-align:center; background:white;"|[[File:Arctocephalus townsendi.jpg|120px]]
|  style="text-align:center; background:white;"|[[File:Crotalus cerastes mesquite springs CA.JPG|120px]]
|  style="text-align:center; background:white;"|[[File:Desert Bighorn Sheep Joshua Tree cropped.JPG|120px]]
|-  style="text-align:center; background:#e9e9e9;"
|| [[Pronghorn]]
|| [[Great white shark]]
|| [[Guadalupe fur seal]]
||''[[Crotalus cerastes]]''
|| [[Bighorn sheep]]
|-
|  style="text-align:center; background:white;"|[[File:Boojum tree 02.jpg|120px]]
|  style="text-align:center; background:white;"|[[File:California poppy.jpg|120px]]
|  style="text-align:center; background:white;"|[[File:Washingtonia filifera — Mary's Grove — Florian Boyd 001.jpg|120px]]
|  style="text-align:center; background:white;"|[[File:Coreopsis gigantea 6.JPG|120px]]
|  style="text-align:center; background:white;"|[[File:Pinus radiata HuckleberryHill1.jpg|120px]]
|-  style="text-align:center; background:#e9e9e9;"
||''[[Fouquieria columnaris]]''
||''[[Eschscholzia californica]]''
||''[[Washingtonia filifera]]''
||''[[Coreopsis gigantea]]''
||''[[Pinus radiata]]''
|}
</div>

===2010 earthquakes===
{{main|2010 Baja California earthquake}}

At 3:40:41&nbsp;pm PDT on Easter Sunday, 4 April 2010, a 7.2 {{M|w}} (on the [[moment magnitude scale]]) magnitude northwest-trending [[strike-slip earthquake]] hit the [[Mexicali Valley]], with its [[epicenter]] {{cvt|26|km|mi}} southwest of the city of [[Guadalupe Victoria, Baja California]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/recenteqsww/Quakes/ci14607652.php|title=Magnitude 7.2 – Baja California, Mexico|date=6 April 2010|website=[[Earthquake Hazards Program]]|publisher=[[United States Geological Survey]]|access-date=17 March 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100406193028/http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/recenteqsww/Quakes/ci14607652.php|archive-date=6 April 2010|url-status=dead}}</ref> The main shock was felt as far as the [[Los Angeles metropolitan area|Los Angeles]], [[Las Vegas metro|Las Vegas]], [[Phoenix metropolitan area|Phoenix]] and [[Tucson metropolitan area]]s, and in [[Yuma, Arizona|Yuma]]. At least a half-dozen [[aftershock]]s with magnitudes between 5.0 and 5.4 were reported, including a 5.1-magnitude shaker at 4:14&nbsp;am that was centered near [[El Centro, California|El Centro]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Associated Press|author-link=Associated Press|date=4 April 2010|title=At Least Two Die In 7.3-Magnitude Baja Quake|work=|publisher=[[KTVU]]|agency=KTVU|url=http://www.ktvu.com/news/23050549/detail.html|url-status=dead|access-date=17 March 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100409065603/http://www.ktvu.com/news/23050549/detail.html|archive-date=9 April 2010|author2-link=}}</ref> As of 6:31{{nbsp}}am PDT on 5 April 2010, two people were confirmed dead.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/americas/04/05/mexico.earthquake/index.html?hpt=T2|title=Baja governor seeks emergency declaration after quake|last1=Rowlands|first1=Ted|last2=Valencia|first2=Nick|last3=Vercammen|first3=Paul|last4=Gilgoff|first4=Dan|publisher=[[CNN Wire]]|date=6 April 2010|access-date=17 March 2012|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121108185849/http://www.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/americas/04/05/mexico.earthquake/index.html?hpt=T2|archive-date=2012-11-08}}</ref>

==Government==
[[File:Bajacaliforniamapaconcodigosmunicipales(2020-2022).png|thumb|right|220px|Municipalities of Baja California in 2020]]

=== Municipalities of Baja California ===
{{main|Municipalities of Baja California}}

Baja California is subdivided into seven ''[[municipio (Mexico)|municipios]]'' ('[[municipalities]]'): [[Ensenada Municipality, Baja California|Ensenada]], [[Mexicali Municipality, Baja California|Mexicali]], [[Tecate Municipality, Baja California|Tecate]], [[Tijuana Municipality, Baja California|Tijuana]], [[Rosarito Beach Municipality|Rosarito]], [[San Quintín Municipality|San Quintín]] and [[San Felipe Municipality, Baja California|San Felipe]].

===Foreign relations===
Baja California is a member of the [[Commission of the Californias]], a tri-lateral forum for cooperation between the U.S. state of [[California]] and the Mexican states of Baja California and [[Baja California Sur]].<ref name="Memorandum">[https://www.energy.ca.gov/sites/default/files/2019-12/Commisions_CAL_MOU_Signed_12-4-2019_ADA.pdf Memorandum of Understanding Between the Government of the State of California of the United States of America and the Government of the State of Baja California and the Government of the State of Baja California Sur of the United Mexican States for the Establishment of the Commission of the Californias]</ref>

== Politics ==
===State elections===
[[File:Marina del Pilar.jpg|thumb|[[Marina del Pilar Ávila Olmeda]], the [[governor of Baja California]] since 2021]]
In Baja California, state elections are held every two years (every three years prior to 2019) for the positions of [[Governor of Baja California|state governor]], 25 state deputies of the [[Congress of Baja California]], and 5 municipal mayors. Of the 25 state deputies, 17 are elected by relative majority in each of the electoral districts, while another 8 are elected by proportional representation. The 17 deputies elected by relative majority may be re-elected for up to four consecutive terms, while the other 8 deputies can only serve one term.

During the 2019 Baja California state election, [[Jaime Bonilla Valdez]] of the [[Morena (political party)|Morena]]-led [[Juntos Hacemos Historia]] coalition won by a margin of 27.58% to become the governor of Baja California. In addition, 21 out of 25 state deputy positions and all 5 municipal mayoral positions were won by candidates aligned with the Juntos Hacemos Historia coalition.

During the 2021 Baja California state election, [[Marina del Pilar Ávila Olmeda]] of the Morena-led [[Juntos Hacemos Historia]] coalition won by a margin of 17.49% to become the first female governor of Baja California. Of the state's 25 local deputies, 13 were won by Morena-aligned candidates, followed in a distant second place by candidates of the [[Solidarity Encounter Party]] (PES), [[National Action Party (Mexico)|National Action Party]] (PAN), and [[Labor Party (Mexico)|Labor Party]] (PT) with 3 seats each. All 5 municipal mayoral positions were again won by Morena-aligned candidates.

In the [[2024 Baja California state election]], Morena gained an extra seat in the State Congress.

===Federal elections===
{| class="wikitable" class="toccolours" style="float:right; margin-left:1em; font-size: 90%"
|+ '''Presidential election results'''<ref>{{cite web|title=Resultados de las Elecciones Federales – México 2012|trans-title=Federal Election Results – Mexico 2012|language=es|url=https://electionsmx2012.appspot.com/results/embed?state=mx|access-date=22 February 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130321074238/http://electionsmx2012.appspot.com/results/embed?state=mx|archive-date=21 March 2013}}</ref>
|- style="background:lightgrey;"
! Year
! [[Institutional Revolutionary Party|PRI]]
! [[National Action Party (Mexico)|PAN]]
! [[Party of the Democratic Revolution|PRD]]
! [[Morena (political party)|MORENA]]
|-
| style="text-align:center; background:#C06352;" | [[2018 Mexican general election|2018]]
| style="text-align:center; background:#83B687;" | {{align|left| 8.86% {{spaces|2}}}}{{align|right| ''94,296''}}
| style="text-align:center; background:#4E79B2;" | {{align|left| 19.33% {{spaces|2}}}}{{align|right| ''205,747''}}
| style="text-align:center; background:lightgrey;" | <!-- Party did not qialify -->
| style="text-align:center; background:#C06352;" | '''{{align|left| 63.10% {{spaces|2}}}}{{align|right| ''671,599''}}'''
|-
| style="text-align:center; background:#83B687;" | [[2012 Mexican general election|2012]]
| style="text-align:center; background:#83B687;" | '''{{align|left| 36.99% {{spaces|2}}}}{{align|right| ''446,192''}}'''
| style="text-align:center; background:#4E79B2;" | {{align|left| 27.20% {{spaces|2}}}}{{align|right| ''328,116''}}
| style="text-align:center; background:#F9D86B;" | {{align|left| 31.15% {{spaces|2}}}}{{align|right| ''375,803''}}
| style="text-align:center; background:lightgrey;" | <!-- Party did not exist -->
|-
| style="text-align:center; background:#4E79B2;" | [[2006 Mexican general election|2006]]
| style="text-align:center; background:#83B687;" | {{align|left| 21.38% {{spaces|2}}}}{{align|right| ''203,233''}}
| style="text-align:center; background:#4E79B2;" | '''{{align|left| 47.35% {{spaces|2}}}}{{align|right| ''450,186''}}'''
| style="text-align:center; background:#F9D86B;" | {{align|left| 23.59% {{spaces|2}}}}{{align|right| ''224,275''}}
| style="text-align:center; background:lightgrey;" | <!-- Party did not exist -->
|-
| style="text-align:center; background:#4E79B2;" | [[2000 Mexican general election|2000]]
| style="text-align:center; background:#83B687;" | {{align|left| 37.04% {{spaces|2}}}}{{align|right| ''319,477''}}
| style="text-align:center; background:#4E79B2;" | '''{{align|left| 49.76% {{spaces|2}}}}{{align|right| ''429,194''}}'''
| style="text-align:center; background:#F9D86B;" | {{align|left| 8.97% {{spaces|2}}}}{{align|right| ''77,340''}}
| style="text-align:center; background:lightgrey;" | <!-- Party did not exist -->
|-
| style="text-align:center; background:#83B687;" | [[1994 Mexican general election|1994]]
| style="text-align:center; background:#83B687;" | '''{{align|left| 48.92% {{spaces|2}}}}{{align|right| ''402,332''}}'''
| style="text-align:center; background:#4E79B2;" | {{align|left| 36.18% {{spaces|2}}}}{{align|right| ''297,565''}}
| style="text-align:center; background:#F9D86B;" | {{align|left| 8.35% {{spaces|2}}}}{{align|right| ''68,669''}}
| style="text-align:center; background:lightgrey;" | <!-- Party did not exist -->
|-
|}
During the [[2018 Mexican general election]], the presidential vote of Baja California was won by a landslide of almost 44% by [[Andrés Manuel López Obrador]] of the [[Morena (political party)|Morena]] party. Out of the 8 federal deputies representing Baja California in the [[Chamber of Deputies (Mexico)|Mexican Chamber of Deputies]], 5 were won by Morena candidates, 2 were won by [[Social Encounter Party]] candidates, and 1 was won by a [[Labor Party (Mexico)|Labor Party]] candidate. The next Mexican general election is scheduled for [[2024 Mexican general election|2024]].

During the [[2021 Mexican legislative election]], six of the eight federal deputies representing Baja California in the [[Chamber of Deputies (Mexico)|Mexican Chamber of Deputies]] were won by [[Morena (political party)|Morena]] candidates, with the other two being won by candidates of the [[Labor Party (Mexico)|Labor]] and [[Ecologist Green Party of Mexico|Ecologist Green]] parties. The next legislative elections are scheduled for [[2024 Mexican legislative election|2024]].

==Demographics==
{{More citations needed section|date=July 2022}} 
{{Largest cities
| country = Baja California
| stat_ref = Source:<ref name=VERACRUZINEGI>{{cite web|url=https://inegi.org.mx/contenidos/programas/ccpv/2020/tabulados/cpv2020_b_bc_01_poblacion.xlsx|title=Censo Baja California 2020|access-date=22 May 2023|archive-date=22 May 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230522034925/https://inegi.org.mx/contenidos/programas/ccpv/2020/tabulados/cpv2020_b_bc_01_poblacion.xlsx|url-status=live}}</ref>
| list_by_pop =
| div_name = 
| div_link = Municipalities of Baja California{{!}}Municipality
| city_1 = Tijuana| div_1 = Tijuana Municipality{{!}}Tijuana| pop_1 = 1,810,645 | city_2 = Mexicali | div_2 =Mexicali Municipality{{!}}Mexicali| pop_2 = 854,186| city_3 =Ensenada, Baja California{{!}}Ensenada| div_3 =Ensenada Municipality{{!}}Ensenada| pop_3 = 330,652| city_4 = Rosarito| div_4 = Playas de Rosarito Municipality{{!}} Playas de Rosarito| pop_4 =100,660| city_5 = Tecate| div_5 = Tecate Municipality{{!}}Tecate| pop_5 =81,059
| city_6 = Villa del Campo, Baja California{{!}}Villa del Campo| div_6 = Tijuana Municipality{{!}}Tijuana| pop_6 = 33,360
| city_7 = Maneadero| div_7 = Ensenada Municipality{{!}}Ensenada| pop_7 = 27,969
| city_8 = Guadalupe Victoria, Baja California{{!}}Guadalupe Victoria | div_8 =Mexicali Municipality{{!}}Mexicali| pop_8 = 19,081
| city_9 = Lázaro Cárdenas, Baja California{{!}}Lázaro Cárdenas| div_9 =San Quintín Municipality{{!}}San Quintín| pop_9 = 18,829
| city_10 =	San Felipe, Baja California{{!}}San Felipe| div_10 = San Felipe Municipality, Baja California{{!}}San Felipe| pop_10 = 17,143
}}
{{Historical populations
|type =
|footnote = 2015 data from Encuesta Intercensal 2015.<ref name=Intercensal2015/>
|1895 | 42875
|1900 | 7583
|1910 | 9760
|1921 | 23537
|1930 | 48327
|1940 | 78907
|1950 | 226965
|1960 | 520165
|1970 | 870421
|1980 | 1177886
|1990 | 1660855
|1995 | 2112140
|2000 | 2487367
|2005 | 2844469
|2010 | 3155070
|2015 | 3315766
|2020 | 3769020}}

{{Bar box
|title=Religion in Baja California (2010 census)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.inegi.org.mx/est/contenidos/proyectos/ccpv/cpv2010/Default.aspx|title=Censo de Población y Vivienda 2010|trans-title=Census of Population and Housing 2010|language=es|publisher=[[INEGI]]|year=2011|access-date=3 February 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130309042321/http://www.inegi.org.mx/est/contenidos/proyectos/ccpv/cpv2010/Default.aspx|archive-date=2013-03-09}}</ref>
|titlebar=#ddd
|float=left
|bars=
{{Bar percent|Roman Catholicism|#B60000|72.1}}
{{Bar percent|Other Christian|#7600ED|15.1}}
{{Bar percent|Other religion|#9F009F|0.1}}
{{Bar percent|[[Irreligion|No religion]]|#006733|10.0}}
{{Bar percent|Unspecified|#8D4500|2.7}}
}}

[[File:Pioneros - panoramio.jpg|thumb|left|''Los Pioneros'' monument in [[Mexicali]], dedicated to the pioneers who settled the region]]

Although the state is predominantly European in ancestry, it has historically seen a [[Asian Mexicans|sizable East and Southeast Asian]] immigrant population. Mexicali has a large Chinese community, as well as many [[Filipinos]] who arrived to the state during the eras of Spanish Philippines and American rule (1898–1946) in much of the 19th and 20th centuries. Tijuana and Ensenada were major ports of entry for East Asians entering the U.S. ever since the first [[Asian American]]s were present in California.{{Citation needed|date=July 2022}}

According to the 2020 Census, 1.71% of Baja California's population identified as Black, [[Afro-Mexican]], or of African descent.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.inegi.org.mx/programas/ccpv/2020/tableros/panorama/|title=Panorama|access-date=6 October 2021|archive-date=26 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210126013823/https://www.inegi.org.mx/programas/ccpv/2020/tableros/panorama/|url-status=live}}</ref>

Since 1960, large numbers of migrants from southern Mexican states have arrived to work in agriculture (especially the Mexicali Valley and nearby [[Imperial Valley]], California, U.S.) and manufacturing. The cities of Ensenada, Tijuana, and Mexicali grew as a result of migrants, primarily those who sought U.S. citizenship. Those temporary residents awaiting their entry into the United States are called {{lang|es|flotillas}}, which is derived from the Spanish word {{lang|es|flota}}, meaning 'fleet'.{{Citation needed|date=July 2022}}

There is also a sizable immigrant community from Central and South America, and from the United States and Canada. An estimated 200,000+ American [[expatriates]] live in the state, especially in [[seaside resort|coastal resort]] towns such as Ensenada, known for affordable homes purchased by retirees who continue to hold U.S. citizenship. San Felipe, Rosarito and Tijuana also have a large American population (second largest in Mexico after Mexico City), particularly for their cheaper housing and proximity to San Diego.{{Citation needed|date=July 2022}}

Some 60,000 Oaxacans live in Baja California. Some 40% of them lack proper birth certificates.<ref>{{cite web|last=López|first=Citlalli|url=http://www.noticiasnet.mx/portal/oaxaca/general/migrantes/127126-problemas-acta-nacimiento-40-oaxaquenos-baja-california|title=Con problemas en acta de nacimiento 40% de oaxaqueños en Baja California|trans-title=40% of Oaxacans in Baja California have problems with birth certificates|language=es|website=Noticiasnet|date=28 November 2012|access-date=2014-05-24|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140525235340/http://www.noticiasnet.mx/portal/general/migrantes/127126-con-problemas-en-acta-de-nacimiento-40-de-oaxaque%C3%B1os-en-baja-california|archive-date=2014-05-25}}</ref>

According to a [[Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnología (Mexico)|Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnología]] (Conacyt) investigator, a little under a million people were classified as "poor" in the state, up from 2008 when there were roughly 810,000. Exactly who these people are, whether locals, interstate or international migrants, was not explained.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.oem.com.mx/elsoldetijuana/notas/n4303592.htm|last=Galván|first=Rocío|title=Aumentó pobreza en BC, de 2008 al 2014|trans-title=Poverty increased in BC, from 2008 to 2014|language=es|publisher=[[Organización Editorial Mexicana]]|website=El Sol de Tijuana|date=15 October 2016|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161018163502/http://www.oem.com.mx/elsoldetijuana/notas/n4303592.htm|archive-date=2016-10-18}}</ref>

==Education==
{{Further|:Category:Universities and colleges in Baja California}}
Baja California offers one of the best educational programs in the country, with high rankings in schooling and achievement.

The state government provides education and qualification courses to increase the workforce standards, such as school–enterprise linkage programs which help the development of a labor force according to the needs of the industry.

91.60% of the population from six to fourteen years of age attend elementary school. 61.95% of the population over fifteen years of age attends or has already graduated from high school. Public school is available in all levels from kindergarten to university.

The state has 32 universities offering 103 professional degrees. These universities have 19 research and development centers for basic and applied investigation in advanced projects related to biotechnology, physics, oceanography, computer science, digital [[Geothermal power|geothermal]] technology, astronomy, aerospace, electrical engineering and clean energy, among others. At this educational level, supply is steadily growing. Baja California has developed a need to be self-sufficient in matters of technological and scientific innovation and to be less dependent on foreign countries. Current businesses demand new production processes as well as technology for the incubation of companies. The number of graduate degrees offered, including PhD programs, is 121. The state has 53 graduate schools.<ref name=GOBC>{{cite web|url=http://www.investinbaja.gob.mx/english/workforce/education.htm|title=Education System|year=2014|website=Invest in Baja|publisher=Secretariat of Economic Development|location=Mexicali, Baja California|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141011124241/http://www.investinbaja.gob.mx/english/workforce/education.htm|archive-date=2014-10-11}}</ref>

==Economy==
[[File:Baja Tank ship 16451432420 afa83d8152.jpg|thumb|Filming of ''[[Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World|Master and Commander]]'' at [[Baja Studios|Baja Film Studios]]. Located in [[Rosarito]], Baja Film Studios has become one of the premier production facilities with [[horizon tank]]s.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Muttalib|first1=Bashirah|title=Twentieth Century Fox sells Baja|url=https://variety.com/2007/film/markets-festivals/twentieth-century-fox-sells-baja-1117965539/|website=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|date=21 May 2007|quote=The studio ultimately became one of the industry's premier water-tank facilities.|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180514141945/http://variety.com/2007/film/markets-festivals/twentieth-century-fox-sells-baja-1117965539/|archive-date=2018-05-14}}</ref>]]

As of 2005, Baja California's economy represents 3.3% of Mexico's [[gross domestic product]], or US$21.996&nbsp;billion.<ref name=ICM>{{cite report|url=http://www.bancomext.gob.mx/|title=Industrial Costs in Mexico – A Guide for Foreign Investors 2007|publisher=Bancomext|year=2007|location=Mexico City|page=86|access-date=9 March 2008|archive-date=1 July 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140701034945/http://www.bancomext.gob.mx/|url-status=live}}</ref>{{Full citation needed|date=September 2020}} Baja California's economy has a strong focus on tariff-free export oriented manufacturing ([[maquiladora]]). As of 2005, 284,255 people are employed in the manufacturing sector.<ref name=ICM/> There are more than 900 companies operating under the federal [[Prosec Mexico|Prosec]] program in Baja California.

===Employment===
In 2021, Baja California generated 57,550 new jobs, about 15.2 jobs per 1,000 inhabitants, making it the 5th highest in the country and the second highest of any border state behind [[Nuevo León]] (86,364 new jobs). The majority of these new jobs were generated in and around the cities of [[Tijuana]], [[Mexicali]], [[Ensenada, Baja California|Ensenada]], [[Rosarito, Baja California|Playas de Rosarito]], and [[Tecate, Baja California|Tecate]]. Industries that experienced the highest degree of growth in 2021 include [[Disruptive innovation|transformative industries]], [[Transportation in Mexico|transport]] and [[Mass media in Mexico|communication]], [[commerce]], and [[Construction#Industry scale and characteristics|construction]].<ref name=EP2022/>

As of November 2021, Baja California has the highest [[employment rate]] of any state in [[northern Mexico]], with a rate of 96.7%.<ref name=EP2022/>

===Economic investment===
As of September 2021, Baja California receives the third highest amount of [[foreign direct investment]] of any state in Mexico, constituting about 7.7% of the national total and behind only [[Nuevo León]] (7.7%) and [[Mexico City]] (16.5%). About 81.4% of Baja California's foreign domestic investment comes from the [[United States]], of which 50.3% comes from the construction of [[natural gas]] pipelines and 8.2% comes car and truck manufacturing.<ref name=EP2022>{{Cite web |date=January 2022 |title=Panorama Económico de Baja California - Enero de 2022 |url=http://www.bajacalifornia.gob.mx/Documentos/economia/panorama-economico.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220406225226/http://www.bajacalifornia.gob.mx/Documentos/economia/panorama-economico.pdf |archive-date=2022-04-06 |access-date=2022-04-06 |website=Secretario de Economía e Innovación de Baja California}}</ref>

===Real estate===
{{Off topic|date=September 2020}}
The Foreign Investment Law of 1973<ref>{{cite web|title=Foreign Investment Law|url=https://www.gob.mx/cms/uploads/attachment/file/201459/Foreign_Investment_Law.pdf|website=gob.mx|publisher=Government of Mexico|access-date=24 September 2017|date=9 March 1973|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170924231339/https://www.gob.mx/cms/uploads/attachment/file/201459/Foreign_Investment_Law.pdf|archive-date=2017-09-24}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal|last1=Vargas|first1=Jorge A.|title=Mexico: Foreign Investment Act of 1993|journal=[[International Legal Materials]]|date=January 1994|volume=33|issue=1|pages=207–224|doi=10.1017/S0020782900027157|s2cid=154227798 }}</ref> allows foreigners to purchase land within the borders and coasts of Mexico by way of a trust handled through a Mexican bank (Fideicomiso). This trust assures to the buyer all the rights and privileges of ownership, and it can be sold, inherited, leased, or transferred at any time. Since 1994, the Foreign Investment Law stipulates that {{Clarify span|the Fideicomiso must be to a 50-year term,|date=September 2020}} with the option to petition for a 50-year renewal at any time.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mexidata.info/id2615.html|title=Mexico and Direct Foreign Ownership of Coastal Property|date=12 April 2010|website=MexiData.info|access-date=13 April 2010|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100416040603/http://www.mexidata.info/id2615.html|archive-date=16 April 2010}}</ref>

Any Mexican citizen buying a bank trust property has the option to either remain within the trust or opt out of it and request the title in {{lang|es|escritura}}.{{Explain|reason=Translation of the term escritura and why it is important in this context.|date=September 2020}}

Mexico's early history involved foreign invasions and the loss of vast amounts of land; in fear of history being repeated, the Mexican constitution established the concept of the "Restricted Zone".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mexicolaw.com/LawInfo17.htm|title=The Restricted Zone in Mexico|website=Penner & Associates|access-date=24 May 2014|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140525200429/https://mexicolaw.com/LawInfo17.htm|archive-date=2014-05-25}}</ref> In 1973, in order to bring in more foreign tourist investment, the Bank Trust of Fideicomiso was created, thus allowing non-Mexicans to own land without any constitutional amendment necessary.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bajaopenhouse.com/Fideicomiso_-_Bank_Trust/page_1922035.html|title=Buying Real Estate in Baja? You Need a Fideicomiso!|website=Baja Open House|last=Restrepo|first=Mario|access-date=24 May 2014|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140525200432/https://www.bajaopenhouse.com/Fideicomiso_-_Bank_Trust/page_1922035.html|archive-date=2014-05-25}}</ref> Since the law went into effect, it has undergone many modifications in order to make purchasing land in Mexico a safer investment.

== Transport ==

===Highways===
*[[Mexican Federal Highway 1]] or the Transpeninsular Highway, completed 1973, south from Tijuana 713 km (436 miles) via Ensenada and El Rosario to Baja California Sur at Guerrero Negro.
*[[Mexican Federal Highway 1D]] toll road from Ensenada 98 km to US I-5 at Tijuana.
*[[Mexican Federal Highway 2]] from Tijuana 214 km east via Tecate, La Rumorosa and Mexicali to Sonora at San Luis Rio Colorado.
*[[Mexican Federal Highway 3]] south from the US border at Tecate 112 km (70 miles) to Highway 1 at El Sauzal Rodriguez, just north of Ensenada (bypassing Tijuana), with a second segment from Highway 1 in Ensenada 196 km (122 miles) south-east via Real del Castillo to Highway 5 near the east coast in El Chinero, 55 km (34 miles) north of San Felipe (where all vehicles are subject to a military inspection).
*[[Mexican Federal Highway 5]] south from Mexicali 401 km (249 miles) to Highway 1 in San Felipe on the east coast, where a state highway continues to Puertecitos.
*[[Mexican Federal Highway 12]] east from Highway 1 68 km to Bahía de los Ángeles on the east coast.

===Railroads===
*[[Ferromex]] in Mexicali connects with [[Union Pacific Railroad|Union Pacific]]'s former [[Southern Pacific Railroad]] line at Calexio and runs east to Sonora at Riíto, with another line connecting with Yuma, Arizona across the Colorado River at Algodones. 
*[[Baja California Railroad|The Baja California Railroad]] operates the 71 km former Ferrocarril Tecate Tijuana line from the US [[San Diego and Imperial Valley Railroad]] in San Ysidro east via Tecate.

===Airports===
The state is served by these international airports:
*[[Tijuana International Airport]] 
*[[Mexicali International Airport]]
 
However, [[San Diego International Airport]] is also used by air travellers from the state. It is located {{convert|34|km|mi}} north west of Tijuana city centre. The airport can be accessible by [[Cross Border Xpress]].

===Waterways===

Deep water ports at [[Port of Ensenada|Ensenada]] (a major naval base) and [[Isla de Cedros]].

==Media==
[[List of newspapers in Mexico|Newspapers]] of Baja California include<ref name="Marín2006">{{cite book|editor=Manuel Ortiz Marín|title=Los medios de comunicación en Baja California|language=es|year=2006|publisher=Universidad Autónoma de Baja California|isbn=978-970-701-735-1}}</ref> ''El Centinela'', ''El informador de Baja California'', ''El Mexicano (edición Tijuana)'', ''El Mexicano Segunda Edición'', ''El Sol de Tijuana'', ''El Vigía'', ''Esto de las Californias'', ''Frontera'', ''La Crónica de Baja California'', ''La Voz de la Frontera'', and ''[[Semanario Zeta]]''.<ref name=SIC>{{cite web|work=Sistema de Información Cultural|publisher=Gobierno de Mexico|language=es|access-date=March 7, 2020|url=https://sic.gob.mx/lista.php?table=impresos&disciplina=&estado_id=2|title=Publicaciones periódicas en Baja California|archive-date=26 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200726131045/https://sic.gob.mx/lista.php?table=impresos&disciplina=&estado_id=2|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://libguides.utsa.edu/latamnews|title=Latin American & Mexican Online News|work=Research Guides|publisher=[[University of Texas at San Antonio Libraries]]|location=San Antonio, TX|archive-date=2020-03-07|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200307192643/http://libguides.utsa.edu/latamnews}}</ref>

==See also==
{{portal|Geography|North America<!--|Northern America-->|Latin America|Mexico}}
* [[History of the west coast of North America]]
* [[The Californias|Las Californias]]
* [[List of Baja California cities]]
* [[Spanish missions in California#Missions in present-day Baja California (Mexico)|Spanish missions in present-day Baja California]]
{{clear}}

==Notes==
{{notelist}}

==References==
{{reflist|30em}}

==Further reading==
*{{cite book|last=Blaisdell|first=Lowell L.|title=The Desert Revolution: Baja California, 1911|location=Madison, WI|publisher=[[University of Wisconsin Press]]|year=1962}}
*{{cite book|last=Castillo-Muñoz|first=Verónica|title=The Other California: Land, Identity, and Politics on the Mexican Borderlands|location=Oakland, CA|publisher=[[University of California Press]]|date=November 2016|isbn=9780520291638}}
*{{cite journal|last=Christensen|first=Catherine|title=Mujeres Públicas: American Prostitutes in Baja California, 1910–1930|journal=[[Pacific Historical Review]]|publisher=[[University of California Press]]|date=1 May 2013|volume=82|number=2|pages=215–247|doi=10.1525/phr.2013.82.2.215}}
*{{cite journal|last=Duncan|first=Robert H.|title=The Chinese and the Economic Development of Northern Baja California, 1889–1929|journal=[[Hispanic American Historical Review]]|publisher=[[Duke University Press]]|date=November 1994|volume=74|number=4|pages=615–647|doi=10.2307/2517494|jstor=2517494}}
*{{cite book|last=Dwyer|first=John J.|title=The Agrarian Dispute: The Expropriation of American-Owned Rural Land in Postrevolutionary Mexico|location=Durham, NC|publisher=[[Duke University Press]]|date=September 2008|isbn=978-08223-4309-7}}
*{{cite book|last=Hart|first=John Mason|title=Empire and Revolution: The Americans in Mexico since the Civil War|location=Berkeley, CA|publisher=[[University of California Press]]|date=January 2006|isbn=9780520246713}}
*{{cite thesis|last=Kerig|first=Dorothy Pierson|title=Yankee Enclave: The Colorado River Land Company and Mexican Agrarian Reform in Baja California 1902–1944|type=PhD|publisher=[[University of California, Irvine]]|year=1989}}
*{{cite book|last1=León-Portilla|first1=Miguel|author1-link=Miguel León-Portilla|last2=Piñera Ramírez|first2=David|title=Baja California: historia breve|trans-title=Baja California: brief history|language=es|location=Mexico City|publisher=[[El Colegio de México]]: Fideicomiso Historia de las Américas: Fondo de Cultura Económica|year=2010|isbn=9786074621891}}
*{{cite book|last=Martínez|first=Pablo L.|title=Historia de Baja California|trans-title=History of Baja California|language=es|location=Mexico City|publisher=Editorial Baja California|year=1956}}
*{{cite journal|last=Owen|first=Roger C.|title=Indians and Revolution: The 1911 Invasion of Baja California, Mexico|journal=[[Ethnohistory (journal)|Ethnohistory]]|publisher=[[Duke University Press]]|volume=10|number=4|year=1963|pages=373–395|doi=10.2307/480336|jstor=480336}}
*{{cite book|last=Schantz|first=Eric M.|contribution=Behind the Noir Border: Tourism, the Vice Racket, and Power Relations in Baja California's Border Zone, 1938–65|pages=130–160|title=Holiday in Mexico: Critical Reflections on Tourism and Tourist Encounters|editor-last1=Berger|editor-first1=Dina|editor-last2=Wood|editor-first2=Andrew Grant|location=Durham, NC|publisher=[[Duke University Press]]|date=February 2010|isbn=978-0-8223-4571-8}}
*{{cite book|last=Stern|first=Norton B.|title=Baja California: Jewish Refuge and Homeland|location=Los Angeles, CA|publisher=[[Dawson's Book Shop]]|year=1973|series=Baja California Travels series #32|isbn=0870932322}}
*{{cite book|last=Vanderwood|first=Paul J.|title=Juan Soldado: Rapist, Murderer, Martyr, Saint|location=Durham, NC|publisher=[[Duke University Press]]|date=November 2004|isbn=978-0-8223-3415-6}}

==External links==
{{sister project links|auto=1|display=Baja California}}
*{{osmrelation|2589601}}
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20110616064539/http://www.aida-americas.org/en/cabo_pulmo Baja California Sur: Cabo Pulmo Coral Reef in Danger]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20110520145457/http://www.aida-americas.org/en Interamerican Association for Environmental Defense]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20070927205944/http://www.e-local.gob.mx/wb2/ELOCAL/EMM_bajacalifornia Enciclopedia de los Municipios de México] {{in lang|es}}
*[https://www.wate.com/news/baja-california-leads-mexico-in-overall-crime/ Baja California leads Mexico in overall crime]

{{Baja California}}
{{States of Mexico}}
{{Authority control}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2019}}

[[Category:Baja California| ]]
[[Category:States of Mexico]]
[[Category:States and territories established in 1952]]
[[Category:1952 establishments in Mexico]]