May 10, 2012
What
and where is Baja? Baja has always
been Mexico’s frontier, not unlike the north in Canada. Even the Conquistador, Hernan Cortez who
first arrived on the Yucatan Peninsula and eventually conquered the Aztecs
never stepped on the Baja Peninsula until 1536. The 2 Baja States were the last to become
proclaimed in the United Mexican States, Baja California in the north (1953),
Baja California Sur in the south (1974).
The Baja Peninsula has twice as much coastline as their northern US
sister known as Alta California (State of California) with the Pacific Ocean on
the west and Sea of Cortez on the east.
The Mexican Federal Highway No. 1 (Hwy 1) was completed in 1973 and runs
1711 km (1061 miles) from the US Mexican Border to Cabo San Lucas. RVers have made this magnificent peninsula a
snowbird destination since the highway opened, staying on beaches, RV parks, campgrounds
and on the desert.
Why camp the Baja Peninsula? “The border between the US and Mexico’s Baja
Peninsula is like no other border on earth. It divides two countries with huge contrasts
in culture, language, wealth, lifestyle, political systems, topography and
climate. Mexico is a fascinating place
to visit and we think that driving your own rig and staying in campgrounds is
the best way to do it. People from north
of the border have been exploring the Baja for years. The trip became much easier in 1973 when the
paved trans-peninsular highway was built. Today this paved two-lane road leads to
unparalleled camping opportunities.”
Mike & Terri Church, Camping Mexico’s
Baja 4th Edition - www.rollinghomes@pocketmail.com
