California - the peninsula of Mexico. Description and features of the California Peninsula

California is a peninsula that is located in the western part of the North American continent. It is narrow and long, the length of this part of the land is 1200 km. In the widest places diverges 240 km. The area of the peninsula is about 144 thousand km ² . Territorially belongs to Mexico, it has two states - North and Southern California. In the north the peninsula is bordered by the same-named American state, the west coast is washed by the Pacific Ocean, and the east by the Gulf of California.

The southernmost point is Cape San Lucas. Through the entire length of the peninsula, there is one transport highway - the Transpeninsulary Highway. The road to the north begins from the border with the US, and the final destination is the southern resort city of Cabo San Lucas.

Natural Areas

California is a peninsula, which is represented by two natural zones. Most of the territory is desert, and along the central part there is a mountain ridge, the southern part of the Sierra Nevada ridge. The territory of the peninsula is mostly stony. The Sonora Desert is one of the largest and hottest places in the continent. The greatest amount of precipitation falls on the spring and winter seasons and does not exceed 350 mm per year. The Lower Caliphany desert is located on the southern coast of the peninsula. It is located in a zone of subtropical climate. The highest point of the peninsula is the town of Diablo (3,096 m).

Coastline

California is a peninsula, the coastline of which is heavily indented. The east coast is significantly different from the western coast of its climate. The latter depends on the Pacific cold currents, and therefore the temperature of air and water here is somewhat different from other areas of the peninsula. The Eastern coast is similar to the Mediterranean type by the soft climate. This is facilitated by the warm waters of the bay. The average temperature varies between + 20 ... 22 ° C in summer, and in winter it decreases slightly - up to +13 ... 15 ° C. One of the largest rivers of North America - Colorado - flows into the Gulf of California.

Climate

California is a peninsula whose predominant climate is subtropical and very mild. A great influence on it is provided by warm air masses. The air temperature in the southern part of the peninsula is much higher than in the northern part. The hottest month of the year is July. During this period, the average temperatures in the north rise above + 24 ° C, and in the south - from + 31 ° C. In winter, in January, the thermometer does not drop below + 8 ° C in the north and + 16 ° C in the south. Most of the precipitation on the peninsula falls in the winter in the form of rains and showers. They often cause storms in the peninsula.

Settlements

The territory of the California peninsula has long been inhabited by indigenous tribes. However, by the 16th century conquistadors had come to these lands. The climate of the California peninsula strongly influenced the location of the arrived population. Initially, the missionaries tried to bring civilization into the Indian tribes, but because of the diseases brought by the Spaniards, a large part of the indigenous population died, and the rest simply left from these lands. After that, European farmers settled on the peninsula.

Whose California?

For a long time, the United States and Mexico were arguing about the peninsula's belonging to a particular state. In the middle of the XIX century, the two countries held the American-Mexican War. Under the terms of the peace treaty, California was divided between two states: California withdrew to the United States, and the peninsula itself became Mexico's.

Population

Now the territory of the peninsula is home to 3 million 700 thousand people. The national and racial composition is represented by the Mestizos, Indians, Mexicans and Asians. The climate belt of the California peninsula is great for most of the population living here.

sights

The main attraction of the California peninsula is the nature reserve El Viscaino. Its most part is occupied by the desert. The area is about 25 thousand km ² . This is the largest biosphere reserve in Latin America. In addition to the invaluable natural value, it is interesting and culturally. The caves of the Sierra are decorated with ancient rock paintings. In total, such caves with rock paintings are more than 200.

The climate zone of the California peninsula also has a strong influence on the flora and fauna. The territory of the reserve is the place of migration of gray whales. Also here you can meet flocks of dolphins and seals.

Brief Comparative Characteristics

On the other, eastern North America, there is another famous peninsula of the mainland - Florida. This land area is smaller than the California area. Let's try to compare them.

The peninsula of California (and Florida, incidentally, too) is located in the subtropical climatic zone. However, if we compare weather conditions, then they differ somewhat. The reason for this - ocean currents. Florida is influenced by the Gulf Stream and the Caribbean Sea. But on California - the Pacific cold current.

It is also worth highlighting the features of the relief. As is known from the above information, on the peninsula of California, deserts predominate, and the Florida area is flat (the highest point is 99 m). Another thing to pay attention to is the water area. In the first case, this is the Pacific Ocean and the Gulf of California, and Florida is washed by the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico.