La Paz, Baja California Sur
La Paz | |
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Top: La Paz coastline; middle: Old City Hall (left) and Balandra Beach (right); bottom: Perla de la Paz monument (left) and Our Lady of Peace Cathedral
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MDT) | |
Website | www |
Source: Enciclopedia de los Municipios de México |
La Paz (pronounced
La Paz is served by the
History
Spanish discovery
The first European known to have landed in Baja California was
Ximénez sailed to the northwest following the coast and at some point turned west and reached a bay that is now the port of the city of La Paz. Ximénez thought that he had found an island, and never knew that it was a large
The abuse of the Indian women by the crew and their looting caused a violent confrontation with the natives that ended in the deaths of Ximénez and some of his companions;[2] the survivors withdrew, and sailed erratically for several days until they reached the shores of the present-day Jalisco, where they encountered a subaltern of Nuño de Guzmán, who requisitioned the ship and took them prisoner.
Hernán Cortés arrival in California
Having sponsored two exploratory voyages in the South Seas just with some giant pearls samples, Cortés decided to lead a third exploration himself. Annoyed that his enemy, Nuño de Guzmán, had requisitioned one of his ships during the first expedition, Cortés decided to confront Guzmán on his own ground and from there set up the third expedition; consequently he prepared a large force of infantry and cavalry to march on the province of New Galicia (Nueva Galicia), of which Guzmán was governor.
The viceroy of New Spain,
In Chametla, (Sinaloa), after crossing the present-day states of Jalisco and Nayarit, territory then known as part of New Galicia, Cortés and his entourage embarked the ships Santa Águeda and San Lázaro with 113 crewmen and 40 cavalrymen with their horses and gear, leaving 60 riders on land, as reported to the Real Audiencia and Governor Nuño de Guzmán. Cortés then sailed northwest, and on 3 May 1535 arrived at the bay he named Bahia de la Santa Cruz (Bay of Santa Cruz), currently the port of La Paz,[2] where he confirmed the death of his subordinate, Fortún Ximénez, at the hands of the natives. Once Cortés had taken possession of the bay, he decided to establish a colony and summoned the soldiers and arms he had left in Sinaloa. The transport ships were lost in a storm, however, and only one ship, carrying a load of fifty bushels of corn, returned. This was insufficient to feed the population, so Cortés left to personally secure food, but was unable to procure enough, so he decided to return to New Spain with the intention of supplying the new colony from there.
, bear the name today.From 10 January 1854, to 8 May 1854, La Paz served as the capital of William Walker's Republic of Sonora. The project collapsed due to lack of US support and pressure from the Mexican government to retake the region.
Geography
La Paz is located on the Baja California peninsula on the Bay of La Paz, 210 kilometres (130 mi) south of Ciudad Constitución, municipality of Comondú, and 202 kilometres (126 mi) north of Cabo San Lucas, municipality of Los Cabos. It is located 81 kilometres (50 mi) north of the town of Todos Santos. Its geographical coordinates are 24°08′32″ N and parallel 110°18′39″W, it has an altitude of 0 to 27 meters above the sea level. It is one of the three state capitals of Mexico that are on the coast of the sea.
Climate
La Paz has a subtropical desert climate (BWh). The climate of La Paz is relatively consistent with generally little rainfall, with a year around average temperature of between 17 and 30 °C (63 and 86 °F). Summer months (July–September) typically see highs between 34 and 36 °C (93 and 97 °F) and dew points of 21–23 °C (70–73 °F).[7] The winter months (December–February) are the coldest with temperatures dropping below 15 °C (59 °F) at night, but cold mostly are from 20 to 25 °C (68 to 77 °F). Breezes from Bahía de La Paz moderate the temperature. The bay also acts as a barrier against seasonal storms in the Gulf of California.
Rainfall is minimal at most times of year, although erratic downpours can bring heavy rains. Rain tends to be concentrated in a short, slightly rainier season that peaks in August and September, following the pattern of the
During the summer the cooling Coromuel winds, a weather phenomenon unique to the La Paz area, blow during the night from the Pacific over the Peninsula and into the Bay of La Paz.
As with most of the Gulf of California, the temperature of the water changes substantially over the course of the year, with temperatures around 68 °F (20 °C) during winter and around 85 °F (29 °C) during summer.[8][9][10][11]
Climate data for La Paz (1951–2010, extremes 1940–2017) | |||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
Record high °C (°F) | 35.2 (95.4) |
37.7 (99.9) |
38.4 (101.1) |
41.0 (105.8) |
42.6 (108.7) |
43.0 (109.4) |
44.0 (111.2) |
43.0 (109.4) |
43.0 (109.4) |
43.5 (110.3) |
38.5 (101.3) |
36.0 (96.8) |
44.0 (111.2) |
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | 23.6 (74.5) |
24.9 (76.8) |
27.3 (81.1) |
30.3 (86.5) |
33.4 (92.1) |
35.6 (96.1) |
36.6 (97.9) |
36.2 (97.2) |
35.0 (95.0) |
32.6 (90.7) |
28.3 (82.9) |
24.4 (75.9) |
30.7 (87.3) |
Daily mean °C (°F) | 17.4 (63.3) |
18.1 (64.6) |
19.7 (67.5) |
22.1 (71.8) |
24.5 (76.1) |
27.1 (80.8) |
29.7 (85.5) |
30.2 (86.4) |
29.3 (84.7) |
26.2 (79.2) |
22.0 (71.6) |
18.6 (65.5) |
23.7 (74.7) |
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | 11.2 (52.2) |
11.3 (52.3) |
12.1 (53.8) |
13.9 (57.0) |
15.7 (60.3) |
18.6 (65.5) |
22.9 (73.2) |
24.1 (75.4) |
23.5 (74.3) |
19.9 (67.8) |
15.7 (60.3) |
12.8 (55.0) |
16.8 (62.2) |
Record low °C (°F) | 2.0 (35.6) |
2.5 (36.5) |
3.0 (37.4) |
4.5 (40.1) |
8.5 (47.3) |
10.0 (50.0) |
13.0 (55.4) |
16.0 (60.8) |
16.0 (60.8) |
10.0 (50.0) |
6.5 (43.7) |
2.0 (35.6) |
2.0 (35.6) |
Average rainfall mm (inches) | 14.2 (0.56) |
5.3 (0.21) |
2.3 (0.09) |
0.8 (0.03) |
0.9 (0.04) |
1.3 (0.05) |
14.5 (0.57) |
37.2 (1.46) |
58.4 (2.30) |
12.1 (0.48) |
7.4 (0.29) |
14.8 (0.58) |
169.2 (6.66) |
Average rainy days (≥ 0.1 mm) | 1.8 | 1.1 | 0.4 | 0.2 | 0.1 | 0.2 | 2.1 | 4.1 | 4.1 | 1.5 | 0.8 | 1.8 | 18.2 |
Average relative humidity (%)
|
67.2 | 64.1 | 60.6 | 57.4 | 60.0 | 63.2 | 66.4 | 66.9 | 72.6 | 71.2 | 70.4 | 70.5 | 65.9 |
Mean monthly sunshine hours | 220.7 | 230.9 | 274.0 | 292.9 | 323.2 | 308.2 | 290.1 | 252.0 | 244.9 | 255.8 | 225.1 | 194.9 | 3,112.6 |
Source: Servicio Meteorologico Nacional,[12][13] World Meteorological Organization (relative humidity and sun 1981–2010)[14] |
Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
68 °F 20 °C |
66 °F 19 °C |
68 °F 20 °C |
72 °F 22 °C |
75 °F 24 °C |
79 °F 26 °C |
82 °F 28 °C |
84 °F 29 °C |
86 °F 30 °C |
84 °F 29 °C |
79 °F 26 °C |
72 °F 22 °C |
Economy
The population of La Paz has grown greatly since the 2000s.
Eco-tourism is by far the most important source of tourism income in La Paz. Tourists also visit the city's balnearios. There are some 900 islands and inlets in the Gulf of California with 244 now under UNESCO protection as World Heritage Bio-Reserves and the Isla Espíritu Santo group, which borders the northeast portion of the Bay of La Paz, the primary tourist destination of the area.
Industries include silver mining, agriculture, fishing and pearls. Tourism is also an important source of employment for this coastal community.
Now defunct Aero California airline, had its headquarters in La Paz.[15]
Transportation
La Paz is served by
Roads
Running along the coast in front of La Paz is 5 km (3.1 mi) long Malecon Road. The main purpose of this road is to allow easy movement across the city. However, it quickly became the focal point of tourist related activities with a large number of bars, restaurants and shops opening along its length. Since 2004 extensive development has taken place which included a large sidewalk which offers safety for large numbers of people to walk along the coastal front of La Paz.
In September 2011, a bicycle lane was added to Malecon Road, providing cyclists protection from cars and pedestrians.
La Paz is served mainly by two highways;
Cuisine
Local specialties are characterized by seafood dishes, especially of lobster, sole, clams and shrimp. Oregano is frequently used as a spice, and
Regional cuisine also includes traditional dishes such as machaca, made from beef that has been well-cooked, shredded, and then cooked in its own juices, fresh cheeses and the typical flour tortillas. Abundantly available clams are prepared in various ways such as pickling, breading and frying, or stuffing. Shrimp are plentiful also, and eaten grilled, fried, or baked as in the regional specialty, filete imperial de camarones. Other popular seafood dishes include callo garra de león, made with scallops, fish tatemado, and ceviche.
Regional sweets are represented by fruits such as guava, mango and pitaya, green papaya and fig in syrup, as well as dehydrated regional fruits such as white fig and mango. Cheese empanadas (empanadas de queso) and empanadas made with sweet beans are also popular.
Demographics
The city had a 2020 census population of 250,141 inhabitants,[1] making it the most populous city in the state. Its metropolitan population is somewhat larger because of surrounding towns, such as El Centenario (pop. 6,068), Chametla (pop. 1,731 as of 2010) and San Pedro. Its surrounding municipality, which is the fourth-largest municipality in Mexico in geographical size, reported a population of 290,286 inhabitants.
Year | Pop. | ±% |
---|---|---|
1960 | 24,253 | — |
1970 | — | |
1980 | — | |
1990 | 136,759 | — |
1995 | 154,314 | +12.8% |
2000 | 162,954 | +5.6% |
2005 | 189,178 | +16.1% |
2010 | 215,178 | +13.7% |
2015 | 244,219 | +13.5% |
Sources:[16][17] |
Education
La Paz is the state capital and center of commerce, as well as the home of the three leading marine biology institutes in
La Paz is the headquarters of several higher education centers, the main ones being:
- Universidad Autónoma de Baja California Sur (UABCS)
- Universidad Tecnológica de La Paz (UTLP)
- Instituto Tecnológico de La Paz (ITLP)
- Universidad Mundial (UM)
- Centro Interdisciplinario de Ciencias Marinas (CICIMAR)
- Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas del Noroeste (CIBNOR)
- Centro de Investigación Científica y de Educación Superior de Ensenada (CICESE) Campus La Paz
- Benemérita Escuela Normal Urbana Prof. Domingo Carballo Félix (BENU)
- Escuela Normal Superior del Estado de Baja California Sur (ENSBCS)
- Universidad Internacional de La Paz (UNIPAZ)
- Universidad de Tijuana Campus La Paz (CUT)
- Tecnológico de Baja California
- Universidad Católica Campus La Paz
- Universidad del Desarrollo Profesional (UNIDEP) Plantel La Paz
- Universidad Intercontinental
- Instituto Mar de Cortés
- Instituto Cultural Tecnológico Cuincacalli (ICTEC)
- Centro de Capacitación para el Trabajo Industrial (CECATI 39)
- Escuela Superior de Cultura Física para Baja California Sur (ESCUFI)
Health
La Paz has several medical centers; the
Reflecting high national rates, there are similarly high local rates of diabetes mellitus, arterial hypertension, and renal insufficiency, as well as of automobile accidents resulting in injury, despite public health dissemination programs and driver education programs.
According to the Baja California Sur State Development Plan 2005-2011, during 2006 there were 24 deaths due to cervical cancer in the state. The health sector seeks to reduce cervical cancer mortality by providing timely treatment to women aged 25 to 64 years, and improving the efficiency of diagnostic laboratories and the monitoring of patients.
As of 1 March 2021, the municipality reported 11,558 recoveries, 577 active cases, and 436 deaths from the COVID-19 pandemic in Mexico.[18]
In popular culture
The city is also the setting of the 1967
Sister cities
- Ensenada, Mexico
- Redondo Beach, United States
- Rosarito, Mexico
- Tijuana, Mexico
- Tlajomulco de Zúñiga, Mexico
- Alexandria, Virginia, United States
- Clearwater, Florida, United States
- Vigo, Spain
- Saint-Tropez, France
- Düsseldorf, Germany
See also
References
- ^ INEGI. 2020. pp. 1–4. Archivedfrom the original on 28 January 2021. Retrieved 28 January 2021.
- ^ a b c d "Historia". State of Baja California Sur. Archived from the original on 3 August 2014. Retrieved 13 August 2014.
- ^ (in Spanish) Los Municipios con Mayor y Menor Extensión Territorial Archived 3 March 2007 at the Wayback Machine, Instituto Nacional Para el Federalismo y el Desarrollo Municipal, SEGOB (Mexico.) Accessed 15 February 2008.
- ^ "Baja California Sur". History Channel. Archived from the original on 11 August 2014. Retrieved 13 August 2014.
- ^ Descubrimientos y Exploraciones en las Costas de California 1532–1650 ("Discoveries and Explorations on the Coasts of California 1532–1650", Madrid, 1947; 2ª edición 1982, pp. 113–141): relevant passage quoted and cited at Etimología de California on etimologias.dechile.net. Retrieved 1 April 2006.
- ^ Primeras Exploraciones Archived 15 January 2014 at the Wayback Machine ("First explorations") on Portal Ciudadano de Baja California, on the official site of the Baja California state government. Retrieved 1 April 2006.
- ^ "La Paz, Baja California Sur Travel Weather Averages". Retrieved 16 June 2017.
- ^ "The Gulf of California - A Physical, Geological and Biological Study" By Rebekah K. Nix
- ^ "Submarinismo en Riviera Maya Cozumel, Buceo en cuevas, Buceo con tiburones toro y ballena, Buceo en cenotes". Archived from the original on 21 December 2011. Retrieved 12 June 2012.
- ^ Aragón-Noriega, E. Alberto (August 2007). "Coupling the reproductive period of blue shrimp Litopenaeus stylirostris Stimpson, 1874 (Decapoda: Penaeidae) and sea surface temperature in the Gulf of California" (PDF). Revista de Biología Marina y Oceanografía. 42 (2): 167–175 – via Universidad de Valparaíso, Viña del Mar, Chile.
- ^ Ltd, Copyright Global Sea Temperatures - A-Connect. "La Paz Sea Temperature January Average, Mexico - Sea Temperatures". World Sea Temperatures. Retrieved 22 March 2018.
- ^ "Estado de Baja California Sur-Estacion: La Paz (DGE)". Normales Climatologicas 1951–2010 (in Spanish). Servicio Meteorológico Nacional. Retrieved 16 October 2021.
- ^ "Extreme Temperatures and Precipitation for La Paz (DGE)" (in Spanish). Servicio Meteorológico Nacional. Retrieved 16 October 2021.
- ^ "World Meteorological Organization Climate Normals for 1981–2010". World Meteorological Organization. Archived from the original on 15 October 2021. Retrieved 16 October 2021.
- ^ "Directory: World Airlines". Flight International. 27 March 2007. p. 46.
- ^ "MEXICO: Baja California Sur". Citypopulation.de. 8 January 2012. Retrieved 1 June 2012.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "Página no encontrada". Archived from the original on 15 September 2014. Retrieved 15 September 2014.
- ^ "Coronavirus – Baja California Sur Situation Report – Información de Coronavirus". coronavirus.bcs.gob.mx (in Spanish). Gobierno de Baja California Sur. Retrieved 1 March 2021.
- ISBN 978-0-14-118607-8.
- ^ Newbery Medal and Honor Books, 1922-Present Archived 18 February 2008 at the Wayback Machine, ALSC, American Library Association. Accessed on line 15-II-2008.
Further reading
- Caughey, John W. California, second edition (Englewood: Prentice-Hall, 1953), 45-46.
- Chapman, Charles E. A History of California: The Spanish Period (New York: The MacMillan Co., 1921), 50-51.
- Wilson, J. G.; Fiske, J., eds. (1900). . Appletons' Cyclopædia of American Biography. New York: D. Appleton.