Diario las Américas., 1958-01-08
Know thy
Nei9hbori
By ANTONIO RUIZ

MEXICO - Continued - The
Indians who inhabited Baja Cali
fornia before the Spanish Conquest
did not develop the high degree
of civilization reached by the main
land tribes, the Aztecs, ToltecS and
MayaS. These Indians were nomads
hunting and fishing for their main
tenance. The three main tribes
on the peninsula, the Pericues,
GuayeuraS and Cochunues, had no
connection with each other, as
each thought they lived in an is
land. Communications were diff
ficult, so they did not stray far
afield. 1t was not until the ar
rival of the Spaniards that unity
was brought about.
In 1925, Herman Cortes, who had
conquered Mexico, sailed from Te-
huantepec, on a voyage of explora-
ton. He sailed around the main
land, and touched at Baja Califor-
MIA, which he called "Calida For
max" (Hot Furnace). Although on
ly the deserts have an oven-like
climate, the name stuck, and this
land became California. In 1910,
another expedition was sent out
for the conquest of the peninsula,
but failed to subdue the tribes.
Several expeditions followed,
until in 1886, Esteban Carbonelli
landed at Mulege and discovered
that pearl-fishing was an ancient
industry there. The news spread
rapidly, and within the year Baja
California was overrun with ad-
v%enturers and treasure hunters.
They were accompanied by Friars
of the "%tCompania de Jesus" The
peninsula's first capital was Lore
to, on the east coast, and the first
mission. was founded there in IT,
95. Later, in 1880, La Paz was
made the capital of the whole ter
titory, which included what is now
the State of Baja California and
the State of California in the Unit
ed States.
Mulege is located near Concep-
cion Bay, the point where Carlo
nell; landed in 1886 and discover
ed that pearl-fishing was an an
cient art. 1t was from this point
that the Spaniards invaded the in
terror of the peninsula. All along
the route, ancient missions may be
seen. In the district of Mulege, in
Santa Gertrudis, immense deposits
of gold we're discovered in 1884,
and also a fantastic solid noun
tain of iron,
La Paz, capital of the Territory
of Baja California, facing La Paz
Bay, is one of the peninsula'S most
important cities. This is one Of the
three greatest pearl-fishing CEN
tiers in the world, the most import
ant n in the Pacific coast of the
Americas.
The city has good hotels and re-
s~taurants, and lovely tropical
houses covered with bright flowers.
La paz is a fine port and has an ex-
cellent airport Not only are there
superb water sports in La Paz, but
the nearby region is full of small
and picturesque resorts, including
Las Cruces, Los Planes, Ensenada
de los Muertos, and more to the
south, numerous coastal towns.
In the municipalities of La Paz,
Ell Triunfo and San Antonio, the
mountains contain rich deposits of
gold, iron and other minerals. La
Paz is easily reached by boat or
plane from Mexico's mainland. La
Paz Bay was once a hideout for
buccaneers, and the southeast
winds are still named in honor Of
the notorious Cromwell. Not only
is fishing a specially of La Paz,
but the nearby hills offer hunting
for quail, duck, wildcat and deer.
Las Cruces, IS miles from La Paz
on the Gulf shore, has wonderful
picnic grounds among mango and
other tropical fruit groves.
Spanish Version Page 8