CALIFORNIA, LOWER. or OLD (Sp. Baja or rieja California). A peninsula in southwest North America, forming a Territory of Mexico (Map: :Mexi•o, 11 3). It extends from about latitude 22' 40' to 32° 40' N. It is bounded by California on the north, the Pacific on the west, and the Gulf of California and the _Mexi can State of Sonora on the east. its total length is over 750 miles. while its width varies from about 30 to 140 miles. Area. 58,328 square miles. The surface is generally mountaintats, the pe ninsuhi being praetically all extension of the Sierra Nevada and Coast Range region. At the centre is a plateau region interrupted by mountain peaks and short ranges, Santa Cat alina, in the northern central part, attaining an altitude of over Bow feet. An eastern coast range borders the Gulf of California, and in places attain; elevations considerably exceeding 0000 feet. The western coast range, bordering the Pacific, is less elevated and seldom exceeds 3500 feet in altitude. At the extreme south the
peninsula terminates in an immense mountain mass, in San Isizaro to S000 feet altitude. The considerably indented, but there are not many really good harbors. The principal islands are Angel de la Guarda, off the central eastern coast. and Cedros (Cerros), off the op posite western coast. Numerous smaller islands are scattered along the southeastern coast, and a few long. narrow islands fringe the south western coast. The climate and vegetation of the western portion resemble those of southern California. The climate is dry and warm, the rainfall in most of the region ranging from under 10 to 25 inches. which. with a high temperature, is a small amount. Few streams stir of any importance except as irrigators. They are most numerous in the southwest. In the southern part are considerable areas of uninhabitable land. Population. in 1895, 42.245.