The New Student's Reference Work/California, Gulf of

Califor′nia, Gulf of, a gulf of the Pacific Ocean between the peninsula of Lower California and Mexico. It is about 700 miles long and from 40 to 100 miles wide. The Colorado River and several other streams empty into it from the east. Many small bays indent its coasts, while several islands stud its surface. On its shores are the ports of Loreto, La Paz and Guaymas. The northern harbor is full of shoals, hidden rocks and dangerous currents, but the southern part is safer. The west coast abounds in pearl oysters, but the fishing is now little pursued, though formerly it was important.