La Paz Mexico

On the western side of Mexico is a peninsula extending some 1,250 kilometers from north to south. Although it seems geographically detached from mainland Mexico, this peninsula known as the Baja California Peninsula is still part of Mexican territory. The peninsula of Baja California divides two large bodies of water, the Pacific ocean on the west and the Gulf of California (locally called the Sea of Cortez) on the east. The peninsula is divided into two states. The northern part is simply called Baja California while the southern part is known as Baja California Sur. It is here, on the southern part of Baja California peninsula, that the municipality of La Paz can be found.

The city of La Paz is the current state capital of Baja California Sur, replacing the once capital of Loreto after it was leveled by a hurricane. The entire municipality of La Paz is relatively large, having a land area of roughly about 20,275 square kilometers. Geographically speaking, it is the largest municipality in the entire Baja California Peninsula and the fourth largest in Mexico. To the south of the city is the municipality of Los Cabos while to the north is the municipality of Comondu.

It is interesting to note the highly contrasting environments where La Paz is sandwiched in between. On the western side of the city are deserts and coastal mountain ranges, while on the other side are the white sand shores hugging the Sea of Cortez. In the northeastern portion of La Paz is a land area forming an inlet that opens up to the Gulf of California. The shores of La Paz bordering the Sea of Cortez are mostly sloping white sand beaches. Many of them have natural harbors and coves making them a perfect retreat for ships and boats in need of shelter.

The Sea of Cortez in not the only water form that is accessible to those in La Paz. To the extreme western portion of Baja California Sur is the warm turquoise blue waters of the Pacific ocean. Although the shores lining the Pacific ocean are outside the La Paz city proper, it is still easily accessible to residents of downtown La Paz. The Pacific coast lagoon called Magdalena Bay is just a three and a half hour drive from the main city of La Paz.

Because of the unique geographic location of La Paz, it is the only place in the world that experiences the Corumuel winds. The Corumuel winds occurs regularly starting in the early or late afternoon and wafts throughout the night until early in the mornings. This unique phenomenon happens because the cool air coming from the Pacific Ocean is drawn towards the relatively warmer atmosphere hanging above the Sea of Cortez. Unlike other parts of the Baja California Peninsula that has large mountain ranges, the area of La Paz has no major mountains to keep the winds from the Pacific Ocean from flowing past its deserts and beaches.

The landforms surrounding La Paz are amazing to behold. To the southern portion of the city is the towering bulk that is the Sierra de la Laguna. This large mass of land is the southernmost extent of the Peninsular mountain ranges that run across the entire length of Baja California Peninsula. While are around the perimeter of the city are vast expanses of golden deserts and sloping sand dunes.

The Mexican municipality of La Paz enjoys thousands of visitors, vacationers, tourists and even scientists because it is an interesting specimen of geographical wonders and beauty.