The New International Encyclopædia/California, Gulf of

CALIFORNIA, Gulf of. An arm of the Pacific, separating the peninsula of Lower California from the rest of Mexico (Map: Mexico, B 2). It was originally known as the Sea of Cortez, having been discovered under his auspices and explored by himself. It is 700 miles in length, and varies in width from 70 to nearly 150 miles. It receives at its upper end the Colorado, and from the east several streams, chief of which are the Altar, Sonora, Yaqui, and Mayo. Both shores are bordered by highlands broken by the river valleys on the east, but on the west presenting an almost unbroken mountain wall. The coast-line is irregular and forms numerous small bays. The gulf has a depth ranging from 600 feet near the head to over 6000 feet near its mouth, and contains many islands, particularly in the upper part, the largest of which are Angel de la Guarda and Tibirón. On its western shores are the ports of San Felipe, San José, and La Paz; on its eastern, those of Mazatlan and Guaymas. There are pearl-fisheries on the western coast.