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The world's third-longest peninsula, Baja
California is located in northwestern Mexico,
separated from the rest of the country by the Sea of Cortez. It
extends from approximately 22 degrees, 50 minutes to 32 degrees,
30 minutes north latitude.
GOVERNMENT
The Baja California peninsula is comprised of two states, Baja
California and Baja California Sur, separated by the 28th parallel.
STATE CAPITALS
Baja California: Mexicali
Baja California Sur: La Paz
SIZE
Baja California: 27,648 square miles
Baja California Sur: 28.369 square miles
Total: 56,017 square miles, about one-third the size of the U.S.
state of California.
HIGH POINTS
Baja California: Picacho del Diablo, 10,154 feet
Baja California Sur: Picacho de la Laguna, 7,100 feet
CLIMATE
Mostly desert with long hot summers and short mild winters. The
extreme northwest is semi-arid and temperate, similar to coastal
areas of neighboring southern California. Temperatures vary widely
based on latitude, elevation and to proximity of the ocean. The
Pacific coast is considerably cooler than the Sea of Cortez coast.
Many microclimates can be found in mountain areas throughout the
peninsula, with cooler temperatures and more precipitation.
POPULATION
* Baja California: 3.1million
* Baja California Sur: 480,000
* Figures are estimates.
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