• The Gulf of California is a 500-mile long stretch of water that separates Baja California from mainland Mexico. The gulf was created when tectonic plates segregated the land over five million years ago. The Colorado River prevents the gulf from stretching further.

• Fast Facts

  1. Also known as Sea of Cortez
  2. Known in the Spanish language Mar de Cortes
  3. Separates the Baja California Peninsula from Mexian mainland
  4. Declared as a World Heritage site by UNESCO
  5. More than 900 islands
  6. Home to Sperm Whales, Sea Turtles and Giant Pacific Mantas
  7. Bordered the states of Baja California, Baja California Sur, Sonora and Sinaloa
  8. Gulf is believed to have opened up 5.3 million years ago
  9. Surface area is about 160,000 km² (62,000 square miles)
  10. Largest Islands: Isla Angel de la Guardia and Tiburon Island
  11. Depth at the estuary near Yuma, Arizona to in excess of 3000m in the deepest parts

• Major Islands

  Though over 900 islands populate the gulf, the two largest are Isla Angel de la Guarda and Tiburon Island. Isla Angel de la Guarda, also known as Archangel Island, is in the northwest region of the Gulf of California and acts as a biological reserve for the multitude of lizards that inhabit it. Tiburon Island (literally "Shark Island" in Spanish) is considered part of the state of Sonora in Mexico and is closer to mainland Mexico, east of Archangel Island. This island was formerly inhabited by Seri natives but is currently an ecological preserve.

• Marine Life

  There is a great abundance of marine animals in the gulf, and many cities on the water rely on fishing for their industry. They have one of the world's largest tuna populations, with schools stretching dozens of miles long. Most of Mexico's sardines and anchovies also come from the gulf.

• Related Mahalo Pages

  Mexico | California | California Outdoors | Whales | Dolphins | Greenpeace | Endangered Species | Oceanography | Earthquake | Marine Biology | Scuba Diving | Sonoran Desert | How to Prepare for an Earthquake | California Budget | Cheap Cruises

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