Baja California: Mexico's Northwestern State

"Lower California" refers to Baja California, a state of Mexico—not a region owned by an individual or entity.

Basic Facts

• Country: Mexico (since 1821 independence; briefly claimed by US 1846–48)
• Peninsula: Baja California Peninsula (1,250 km long)
• Borders: Pacific Ocean (west), Gulf of California/Sea of Cortez (east), US (north: California, Arizona), Baja California Sur (south)
• Capital: Mexicali
• Population: ~3.8 million (2023)
• Major cities: Tijuana, Mexicali, Ensenada, Rosarito, Tecate

Economic Significance

• Manufacturing (maquiladoras), aerospace, medical devices
• Tourism (coastal resorts, wine country Valle de Guadalupe)
• Border trade (Tijuana-San Diego busiest land crossing)
• Fisheries, agriculture, renewable energy

Distinction

Baja California (Norte) = northern state
Baja California Sur = southern state (capital: La Paz)
Together they form the peninsula, historically "Las Californias" under Spain/Mexico.