Tradition & Culture

The great influence of the catholic evangelization in Mexico’s traditions is evident in all the patron saint celebrations held in all the cities and towns throughout the country, and BCS is no exception.

The indigenous ethnic groups of the region were almost exterminated by the end of the XVI century, mainly because of the diseases brought by the Europeans during the Spanish conquest. Their customs and traditions were totally lost when the catholic missions were built and the catholic religion was imposed by the priests. 

Baptisms and First Communions are traditionally held during the patron saint celebrations. Mariachi music, popular dances, cock fights, and horse races are some of the activities that take place as well.

San Jose del Cabo, San Francisco Javier, San Bartola, Santa Rosalia, La Purisima, Miraflores and Todos Santos are the largest patron saint celebrations of the state.

Sports are another tradition in the state. The Baja California Olympics are held here, though in the past years they have been struggling due to lack in infrastructure and promotion. In 2007 the state government announced a four year development plan to prompt sports. It includes the construction of a sports complex in Cabo San Lucas with a football field for 10,000 fans; an athletic field in Comondu, and a sports complex in Guerrero Negro, among others. In Bahia de La Paz, water sports such as canoeing, sailing, and rowing are also gaining aficionados. 

Music & Folklore

When it comes to regional music, corridos are the main local musical statement in the entity. Thanks to BCS’s isolated location, this tunes sometimes constituted the state’s way of spreading news and happenings without causing huge controversy and at the same time, being pleasant to the hearer’s ears. The corridos started spreading shortly after the Mexican Revolution.

Nowadays, “northern” music is widespread and their typical instruments range from classical guitar and the stringed likes.

Typical Southern Californian dances are among the likes of El Conejo, El Apasionado, El Chaverán, La Yuca, La Cuera, Las Calabazas and El Tupé.

Gastronomy

As it will be mentioned later in this document, BCS’s basic gastronomy is mainly composed of seafood dishes such as manta, clam, shrimp and squid, thanks to the state’s prolific fishing industry. BCS’s people is keen on producing exotic seafood dishes that aren’t as common in the rest of the country.

Some of the state’s most typical dishes are camarón rebosado, tamales fajados, seafood stuffed potatoes, tortillas, caguama a la greña, stuffed fin, lamb burritos, shrimp ceviche, stuffed clams, marlin pie and damiana liquor.

Weather

Baja California Sur is characterized by deserts, mountains and coastal flatlands. The climate is arid in most parts of the state, with the southernmost tip being tropical. Plants such as cardon, mezquite and wild-lettuce; animals including mountain lions; and other plants and wildlife characteristic of this ecosystem are found in the Central and Vizcaino Deserts of Baja California Sur.

The Biosphere Natural Reserve of El Vizcaíno, with its 25,000 square kilometres (9,700 sq mi), is the largest natural reserve in Latin America.

Products

Baja California Sur is the third biggest fishing industry in Mexico, right after Sonora and Sinaloa. It produces the most lobster, clam and squid, and this is why Baja California Sur’s gastronomy is known for their seafood based dishes.

Regarding agricultura, BCS’s main crops are potatoes, chili, tomatoes and alfalfa.

Some of BCS’s most renowned dishes are lobster, chocolate clam, dried manta, and the imperial steak made with bacon and shrimp. Also, tamarind dipped pork, stuffed shrimp and sautéd fish and flour tortillas.

Some of the typical seasonings and condiments of BCS that spice up their regional food are oregano and damiana, with this last one being used to produce sweet liquor elaborated from its plant and roots, packed with healing properties. Other known typical beverages are date liquor or classic grape wine.

Location

BC Sur is the second smallest Mexican state by population and the 31st admitted state of the 31 states which, with the Federal District, make up the 32 Federal Entities of Mexico. Before becoming a state on October 8, 1974, the area was known as the South Territory of Baja California. It has an area of 73,475 km² (28,369 sq mi), or 3.57% of the land mass of Mexico and occupies the southern half of the Baja California peninsula, south of the 28th parallel. It is bordered to the north by the state of Baja California, to the west by the Pacific Ocean, and to the east by the Gulf of California, also known as the "Sea of Cortés". Also, the state has maritime borders with Sonora and Sinaloa to the east across the Gulf of California. Its capital is “La Paz”.

Regional candy and baked goods

BCS’s regional candy are mainly represented by jams such as guayabate, mangate and pitahayate, as well as dried date and papaya and other dehydrated fruit such as fig and mango. Cheese, ate and sweet bean pie, egg bread and French toast constitute the state’s popular baked goods.

Economic Activities

This state is one of the most important tourist locations in the country. Its beaches and ecotourism are its main income sources. However, there are other important activities such as tomato, mango, eggplant, pumpkin, corn, chili, bell pepper and melon harvesting.

Fishing is another one of the state’s strongest gold mines, since BCS acts as one of USA, Japan and Canada’s main seafood suppliers.

Salt extraction and mining are also important economic activities of the state.