Collier's New Encyclopedia (1921)/California, Lower

CALIFORNIA, LOWER, a territory of Mexico, comprising a peninsula jutting into the Pacific Ocean, and separated from the mainland throughout its entire length by the Gulf of California. It is nearly 800 miles in length, and from 30 to 120 miles wide; area 58,328 square miles. It is largely mountainous and arid, but possesses valuable agricultural and mineral resources. The chief towns are Ensenada de Todos, Santos, and La Paz, the capital. Pop. about 55,000, of whom perhaps a half are Indians.