Baja Gold Coast
Encyclopedia
The Gold Coast is a northwestern region of the Baja California Peninsula
. It is one of the most visited places in Mexico
. The Gold Coast is one of the richest, most educated, and most developed areas in Mexico.
Just south of California
, the Gold Coast consists of all north western coastline on the Baja California Peninsula
. Its urban area
is a continuation of the South Coast urban area, and overall, extends from the Southern Californian city of Oxnard to Rosarito. The two regions share much cultural and economic exchange.
The largest cities of the Gold Coast are Ensenada, and Rosarito.
dwelt in the area. The first European explorers
to arrive to the area where Iberian
sailors, the first being Juan Rodríguez Cabrillo
in 1542, journeyed the coastline. Under orders from the Viceroy of Mexico City
, in 1602 Sebastián Vizcaíno
mapped the coast of the Californias in extraneous detail looking for natural harbors for Spanish galleons.
The region is part of an area that was once belonged to Imperial Spain and was under the jurisdiction for the Province of the Californias. The Californias were split when Mexico won its independence from Spain
into Alta California
and Baja California
. Following the Mexican-American War, the Californias became internationally discontinuous as California
became a territory of the United States of America.
terrestrial ecoregion is prevalent. This ecoregion within the Mediterranean forests, woodlands, and scrub
biome
also has similar sub-ecoregions where different types of flora and fauna exist including the California coastal sage and chaparral ecoregion
.
.
The largest city in the area is cosmopolitan Tijuana
and is known as the most visited border city in the world. T.J., as it is commonly known, is known for its cultural icon of Avenida Revolucion
. Tijuana's large tourism sector is also in part attributed to San Diego, with which in forms an international
metropolitan area. Tijuana serves as an arts, music, culture, sports, and innovation center on the Gold Coast. The city is also known for its industry, under which thousands are employed.
Within the Tijuana metropolitan area
, coastal Rosarito Beach is water sports and gringo
seaside resort
on the Gold Coast, 25 minutes south of the California - Baja California border. The city's economy is based on the revenue generate by its golf resorts, amusement park, and eco-tourist opportunities. Rosarito is also home to the third largest cycling race in North America
. Coined the Lobster Capital of the World, Rosarito cuisine focuses largely on sea food and shellfish
.
Ensenada
is the second largest city on the Gold Coast and is approximately 74 miles (119.1 km) south of Tijuana. Known as a center for wine production, the Guadalupe Valley of Greater Ensenada is a wine locality that in part began wineries in Napa Valley in the San Francisco Bay Area
. The Port of Ensenada
, located near the heart of the city, maintains cargo and cruise terminals, in addition to smaller fishing marinas. Cruise ships arrive to the port from the nearby ports of Los Angeles
, Long Beach
, and San Diego.
is dotted with surfing locations that included Seven Sisters and Todos Santos Island. The coastline near and around Ensenada has several resort and marina communities at Baja Mar
and La Salina
. The Port of Ensenada
is a cruise ship destination filled with sports fishing and marina amenities. The area around Bahia de San Quintin is also a calmer area of the Gold Coast that lacks the large populace of the northern coastal resorts. San Quintin
is historically a small rural community known for its hunting, fishing, sailing, and historical cultural opportunities.
Baja California Peninsula
The Baja California peninsula , is a peninsula in northwestern Mexico. Its land mass separates the Pacific Ocean from the Gulf of California. The Peninsula extends from Mexicali, Baja California in the north to Cabo San Lucas, Baja California Sur in the south.The total area of the Baja California...
. It is one of the most visited places in Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
. The Gold Coast is one of the richest, most educated, and most developed areas in Mexico.
Just south of California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
, the Gold Coast consists of all north western coastline on the Baja California Peninsula
Baja California Peninsula
The Baja California peninsula , is a peninsula in northwestern Mexico. Its land mass separates the Pacific Ocean from the Gulf of California. The Peninsula extends from Mexicali, Baja California in the north to Cabo San Lucas, Baja California Sur in the south.The total area of the Baja California...
. Its urban area
Urban area
An urban area is characterized by higher population density and vast human features in comparison to areas surrounding it. Urban areas may be cities, towns or conurbations, but the term is not commonly extended to rural settlements such as villages and hamlets.Urban areas are created and further...
is a continuation of the South Coast urban area, and overall, extends from the Southern Californian city of Oxnard to Rosarito. The two regions share much cultural and economic exchange.
The largest cities of the Gold Coast are Ensenada, and Rosarito.
History
The modern day area of the Gold Coast traces its roots thousands of years in prehistory when the KumeyaayKumeyaay
The Kumeyaay, also known as Tipai-Ipai, Kamia, or formerly Diegueño, are Native American people of the extreme southwestern United States and northwest Mexico. They live in the states of California in the US and Baja California in Mexico. In Spanish, the name is commonly spelled...
dwelt in the area. The first European explorers
European colonization of the Americas
The start of the European colonization of the Americas is typically dated to 1492. The first Europeans to reach the Americas were the Vikings during the 11th century, who established several colonies in Greenland and one short-lived settlement in present day Newfoundland...
to arrive to the area where Iberian
Iberian Peninsula
The Iberian Peninsula , sometimes called Iberia, is located in the extreme southwest of Europe and includes the modern-day sovereign states of Spain, Portugal and Andorra, as well as the British Overseas Territory of Gibraltar...
sailors, the first being Juan Rodríguez Cabrillo
Juan Rodríguez Cabrillo
Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo was a Portuguese explorer noted for his exploration of the west coast of North America on behalf of Spain. Cabrillo was the first European explorer to navigate the coast of present day California in the United States...
in 1542, journeyed the coastline. Under orders from the Viceroy of Mexico City
Mexico City
Mexico City is the Federal District , capital of Mexico and seat of the federal powers of the Mexican Union. It is a federal entity within Mexico which is not part of any one of the 31 Mexican states but belongs to the federation as a whole...
, in 1602 Sebastián Vizcaíno
Sebastián Vizcaíno
Sebastián Vizcaíno was a Spanish soldier, entrepreneur, explorer, and diplomat whose varied roles took him to New Spain, the Philippines, the Baja California peninsula, the California coast and Japan.-Early career:...
mapped the coast of the Californias in extraneous detail looking for natural harbors for Spanish galleons.
The region is part of an area that was once belonged to Imperial Spain and was under the jurisdiction for the Province of the Californias. The Californias were split when Mexico won its independence from Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
into Alta California
Alta California
Alta California was a province and territory in the Viceroyalty of New Spain and later a territory and department in independent Mexico. The territory was created in 1769 out of the northern part of the former province of Las Californias, and consisted of the modern American states of California,...
and Baja California
Baja California Territory
Baja California Territory was a Mexican territory from 1773 until 1931, located on the Baja California Peninsula.In 1931 it was divided into Northern and Southern territories. In 1952, the "North Territory of Baja California" became the 29th State of Mexico as Baja California, and in 1974, the...
. Following the Mexican-American War, the Californias became internationally discontinuous as California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
became a territory of the United States of America.
Ecology
The Baja California Gold Coast is located in an area where the California chaparral and woodlandsCalifornia chaparral and woodlands
The California chaparral and woodlands is a terrestrial ecoregion of lower northern, central, and southern California and northwestern Baja California , located on the west coast of North America...
terrestrial ecoregion is prevalent. This ecoregion within the Mediterranean forests, woodlands, and scrub
Mediterranean forests, woodlands, and scrub
Mediterranean forests, woodlands, and scrub biome, defined by the World Wildlife Fund, characterized by dry summers and rainy winters. Summers are typically hot in low-lying inland locations but can be cool near some seas, as near San Francisco, which have a sea of cool waters...
biome
Biome
Biomes are climatically and geographically defined as similar climatic conditions on the Earth, such as communities of plants, animals, and soil organisms, and are often referred to as ecosystems. Some parts of the earth have more or less the same kind of abiotic and biotic factors spread over a...
also has similar sub-ecoregions where different types of flora and fauna exist including the California coastal sage and chaparral ecoregion
California coastal sage and chaparral ecoregion
The California coastal sage and chaparral, a sub-ecoregion of the California chaparral and woodlands ecoregion, is found in southwestern California and northwestern Baja California in Mexico.-Location:...
.
Cities
The largest cities of the Baja California Gold Coast lie on a strip that runs from Tijuana to Ensenada. The urban area between these cities is nearly continuous with the exception of the undeveloped, but developing, coastline between Puesta del Sol and El SauzalEl Sauzal
El Sauzal is located on the north coast of Tenerife 19 to 20 km E of Puerto de la Cruz, about 20 km SSW of the island's capital, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, NE of Los Cristianos and Las Américas of Arona and WSW of Tenerife North Airport.The population is 8,267 , its density is 451.50/km² and the area...
.
The largest city in the area is cosmopolitan Tijuana
Tijuana
Tijuana is the largest city on the Baja California Peninsula and center of the Tijuana metropolitan area, part of the international San Diego–Tijuana metropolitan area. An industrial and financial center of Mexico, Tijuana exerts a strong influence on economics, education, culture, art, and politics...
and is known as the most visited border city in the world. T.J., as it is commonly known, is known for its cultural icon of Avenida Revolucion
Avenida Revolución
Avenida Revolución is the tourist center in Tijuana, Baja California, México.-History:It was the first paved road of the 20th century, an important center of economic development, and a tourist attraction notable for the visitors who crossed the border daily from San Diego, California...
. Tijuana's large tourism sector is also in part attributed to San Diego, with which in forms an international
Internationalism (politics)
Internationalism is a political movement which advocates a greater economic and political cooperation among nations for the theoretical benefit of all...
metropolitan area. Tijuana serves as an arts, music, culture, sports, and innovation center on the Gold Coast. The city is also known for its industry, under which thousands are employed.
Within the Tijuana metropolitan area
Tijuana metropolitan area
The Tijuana metropolitan area, and in Spanish the Zona Metropolitana de Tijuana, is located on the Pacific Ocean in Mexico. According to the 2005 census, the Tijuana metropolitan area was the sixth-largest in Mexico, with a population of 1,483,992. The 2010 Census placed the Tijuana metropolitan...
, coastal Rosarito Beach is water sports and gringo
Gringo
Gringo is a slang Spanish and Portuguese word used in Spanish-speaking and Portuguese-speaking countries in Latin America, to denote foreigners, often from the United States. The term can be applied to someone who is actually a foreigner, or it can denote a strong association or assimilation into...
seaside resort
Seaside resort
A seaside resort is a resort, or resort town, located on the coast. Where a beach is the primary focus for tourists, it may be called a beach resort.- Overview :...
on the Gold Coast, 25 minutes south of the California - Baja California border. The city's economy is based on the revenue generate by its golf resorts, amusement park, and eco-tourist opportunities. Rosarito is also home to the third largest cycling race in North America
North America
North America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...
. Coined the Lobster Capital of the World, Rosarito cuisine focuses largely on sea food and shellfish
Shellfish
Shellfish is a culinary and fisheries term for exoskeleton-bearing aquatic invertebrates used as food, including various species of molluscs, crustaceans, and echinoderms. Although most kinds of shellfish are harvested from saltwater environments, some kinds are found only in freshwater...
.
Ensenada
Ensenada, Baja California
Ensenada is a coastal city in Mexico and the third-largest city in Baja California. It is located south of San Diego on the Baja California Peninsula. The city is locally referred to as La Cenicienta del Pacífico, or, The Cinderella of the Pacific...
is the second largest city on the Gold Coast and is approximately 74 miles (119.1 km) south of Tijuana. Known as a center for wine production, the Guadalupe Valley of Greater Ensenada is a wine locality that in part began wineries in Napa Valley in the San Francisco Bay Area
San Francisco Bay Area
The San Francisco Bay Area, commonly known as the Bay Area, is a populated region that surrounds the San Francisco and San Pablo estuaries in Northern California. The region encompasses metropolitan areas of San Francisco, Oakland, and San Jose, along with smaller urban and rural areas...
. The Port of Ensenada
Port of Ensenada
The Port of Ensenada is a marine freight and cruise terminal in Ensenada, Baja California. This deepwater port lies in Bahia de Todos Santos and in 2010 brought in 3,592,891 metric tons of cargo. Ships arrive to the port from major ports in Asia, North America, and South America. The ports...
, located near the heart of the city, maintains cargo and cruise terminals, in addition to smaller fishing marinas. Cruise ships arrive to the port from the nearby ports of Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
, Long Beach
Long Beach, California
Long Beach is a city situated in Los Angeles County in Southern California, on the Pacific coast of the United States. The city is the 36th-largest city in the nation and the seventh-largest in California. As of 2010, its population was 462,257...
, and San Diego.
Recreation
Bahia de Todos SantosBahía de Todos Santos
Bahía Todos Santos, or Bay of All Saints, is a sheltered bay south of the similarly sized San Diego Bay. The bay is home to the deepwater busy international Port of Ensenada.-Flora and fauna:...
is dotted with surfing locations that included Seven Sisters and Todos Santos Island. The coastline near and around Ensenada has several resort and marina communities at Baja Mar
Baja Mar
Baja Mar, alternatively Bajamar, is a seaside resort community in Ensenada Municipality, Baja California twenty minutes north of Ensenada and forty minutes south of Greater San Diego–Tijuana...
and La Salina
La Salina
La Salina is a town and municipality in the Department of Casanare, Colombia....
. The Port of Ensenada
Port of Ensenada
The Port of Ensenada is a marine freight and cruise terminal in Ensenada, Baja California. This deepwater port lies in Bahia de Todos Santos and in 2010 brought in 3,592,891 metric tons of cargo. Ships arrive to the port from major ports in Asia, North America, and South America. The ports...
is a cruise ship destination filled with sports fishing and marina amenities. The area around Bahia de San Quintin is also a calmer area of the Gold Coast that lacks the large populace of the northern coastal resorts. San Quintin
San Quintin
San Quintín or San Quintin may refer to any of the following:*Chile**San Quintín Glacier*Mexico**San Quintín, Baja California**San Quintín, Baja California Sur**San Quintín, Chiapas*Philippines**San Quintin, Abra**San Quintin, Pangasinan...
is historically a small rural community known for its hunting, fishing, sailing, and historical cultural opportunities.