| Maps of Baja California 1 | The Flora of Baja California |
| The Flora of Baja California | The History of Baja California |
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Map of Mexico showing location of Baja California (Norte and Sur), an outline map of the north and the shield of Baja California. The area was settled in the late 1600's. It was the northernmost province of New Spain and was significantly larger than it is today. The province was named California. It was settled by Franciscan and Dominican orders who constructed Missions for commerce and proselytization. The Franciscans settled their mission towns in the well drained, agriculturally rich north, while the Dominicans settled in narrow desert to the south. The two groups split geo-politically in 1773 with Fray Francisco Palou officiating. California alta split from California Baja near the modern line separating Mexico from the United State. In 1824, the area became part of the newly established United Mexican States. The North Half was annexed by the United States in 1848 when the Mexican American war ended the United States expanded to the south. It became the 31st state, California. California Baja remained part of nascent Mexico. The modern division between Baja Norte and Baja Sur took place in 1952, when the North half became the 29th state of Mexico. Baja Sur became the 32 Mexican state in 1974. |