Baja California, officially theFree and Sovereign State of Baja California, is a state inMexico. It is the northernmost and westernmost of the 31 states which, with theFederal District, comprise the32 Federal Entitiesof Mexico. Before becoming a state in 1953, the area was known as theNorth Territory of Baja California. The mainland portion of the state is bordered on the west by the Pacific Ocean, on the east bySonora, the U.S. State ofArizona, and theGulf of California(also known as the "Sea of Cortez"), and on the south byBaja California Sur. Its northern limit is the U.S. state ofCalifornia.
Baja California is the twelfth largest state by area in Mexico. Its geography ranges from beaches to forests and deserts. The backbone of the state is the Sierra de Baja California, where thePicacho del Diablo, the highest point of the peninsula, is located. This mountain range effectively divides the weather patterns in the state. In the northwest, the weather is semi-dry andmediterranean. It is in this area where a few valleys can be found, such as theValle de Guadalupe, the major wine producing area in Mexico.The state is also home to numerous islands off both of its shores. In fact, the westernmost point in Mexico, theGuadalupe Island, is part of Baja California. TheCoronado,Todos SantosandCedros Islandsare also on the Pacific Shore.