Sea of Cortez

The Gulf of California (also known as the Sea of Cortez or Sea of Cortés; locally known in the Spanish language as Mar de Cortés or, much less frequently, Golfo de California) is a body of water that separates the Baja California Peninsula from the Mexican mainland. It is bordered by the states of Baja California, Baja California Sur, Sonora, and Sinaloa. The name "Gulf of California" predominates on most maps in English today. The name "Sea of Cortés" is the one preferred by most local residents. 

History 

It was named in honor of Spanish conquistador Hernán Cortés (or "Cortez") by Francisco de Ulloa in 1539. Ulloa originally believed that the gulf led to the mythical Strait of Anian, which connected the Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic Ocean. 

Melchior Díaz made extensive explorations in the area in 1540, including surveying the Colorado River, which at that time flowed into the upper gulf. 

Fishery 

The narrow sea is home to a unique and rich ecosystem. In addition to a wide range of endemic creatures, it hosts many migratory species, such as the humpback whale, California Gray Whale, manta ray and Leatherback Sea Turtle. This region has historically been a magnet for world-class sport fishing activities, with a rich history of sporting world records. 

The region also has a rich history as a commercial fishery. Some authors have reported witnessing tuna schools more than 100 miles (160 km) long in this region. 

Today, the sea still attracts tourists from around the world, but the fishing resource is in serious decline. Efforts by the Mexican government to create conservation zones have been hampered by a lack of enforcement resources and a lack of political consensus. The thousands of miles of coastline are remote and difficult to police, and the commercial fishing industry is organized into politically powerful labor unions that have been slow to embrace strict conservation measures. 

Sea of Cortés communities that are highly reliant on the sport fishing industry include Cabo San Lucas, La Paz, Loreto, Guaymas, and Mulegé. Ensenada, on Baja California's Pacific Ocean coast, and Mazatlán, on the Mexican mainland's Pacific coast, depend on the sagging commercial fishery. 

Cabo San Lucas is a small city at the southern tip of the Baja California peninsula at 22.88° North, 109.90° West, in the municipality of Los Cabos in the state of Baja California Sur, Mexico. As of 2003, the population was some 40,000 people. 

Cabo San Lucas is rapidly becoming a high-end holiday destination with a number of resorts and timeshare clubs appearing along the coast between San Lucas and San José del Cabo. 

Mazatlán is a city in the Mexican state of Sinaloa; the surrounding municipality, for which the city serves as the municipal seat, is also called Mazatlán. It is located at 23°12' N 106°25' W, on the Pacific coast, just across from the southernmost tip of the Baja California peninsula. 

Mazatlán is a Nahuatl word meaning "place of the deer". The city was founded in the 1820s. By the mid-1800s, a large group of immigrants had arrived from Germany. These new citizens developed Mazatlán into a thriving commercial seaport, importing equipment for the nearby gold and silver mines. It served as the capital of Sinaloa from 1859 to 1873. 

Mazatlán, with a population of 340,000 as of 2000, is the second-largest city in the state and Mexico's largest commercial port. It is also a popular tourist destination, its beaches lined with resort hotels. A car ferry plies its trade across the Gulf of California from Mazatlán to La Paz, Baja California Sur. 

In 2005, Mazatlán hosted the "Serie del Caribe", which is a baseball tournament with teams from México, Puerto Rico, Venezuela, and the Dominican Republic. 

Every year, Carnival is celebrated during the week before Ash Wednesday. There are a lot of festivities, including the election of a Queen, parades, and balls. 

La Paz, the capital of Baja California Sur, Mexico, is a small city on the shores of the Gulf of California. It is located at 24°14' N 110°32' W, on the south end of the Bay of La Paz. As of 2000, the city had a population of some 163,000 people. La Paz is seved by Manuel Márquez de León International Airport. 

It is between the coastal range and a bay, and is a seaport. Industries include silver mining, agriculture, fishing and pearls. Tourism is also an important source of employment for this coastal community.