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

California - a peninsula, which is located inwestern 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 by 240 km. The area of ​​the peninsula is about 144 thousand km.². Territorially belongs to Mexico, on itThere are two states - Northern 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 Transpeninsular 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 bytwo natural areas. 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 on 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 a subtropical climate. The highest point of the peninsula is Diablo (3,096 m).

Coastline

California is a peninsula whose coastlinestrongly rugged. The east coast is significantly different from the western one due to 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 in climate softness to the Mediterranean type. 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, the prevailing climatewhich is subtropical and very soft. 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 on the territory of the peninsula.

Settlements

The territory of the California peninsula has long beenwas inhabited by tribes of indigenous Indians. 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, most 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 US and Mexico were arguing aboutthe peninsula belongs to this or that state. In the middle of the XIX century, the two countries hosted the American-Mexican War. Under the terms of the peace treaty, California was divided between two states: California withdrew from the United States, and Mexico became the peninsula itself.

Population

Now on the territory of the peninsula live 3 million700 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 Vizcaino. Its most part is occupied by the desert. The area is about 25 thousand km². This is the largest biosphere reserve of LatinAmerica. 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 effect 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, the eastern part of North America, is located one more 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, by the way, too)is located in the subtropical climatic zone. However, if we compare the 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 worth paying 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.