Collier's New Encyclopedia (1921)/California, Gulf of

CALIFORNIA, GULF OF, or SEA OF CORTES, an arm of the Pacific Ocean, separating Lower California from the Mexican mainland. It is 700 miles in length and varies in width from 40 to 100 miles. There is but little navigation carried on there. On the W. coast are pearl fisheries. The gulf was discovered by Cortes, and for some time was called after him. The river Colorado empties into the N. extremity. The principal ports are San Felipe, San José, and La Paz on the W. shore, and Mazatlán, and Guaymas on the E. shore.