Baja California is the north part of lower California and California is the name “California” which was the name of a fictional island of great wealth in a novel written by Garci Ordoze de Montaba in 1500. Also, California comes from the Latin “Calida Fornax” meaning “hot oven” as the conquistadors experienced tremendous heat when they reached the area.
Surrounding States:
N – California, USA
E – Sonora and Gulf of California
W – Pacific Ocean
Created: January 16, 1952 
State Capital:
Mexicali 1952 – present
Highest Point : 10,171 feet ( 3100 metres ) – Sierra San Pedro Martir
Lowest Point: -33 feet ( -10 metres ) – Laguna Salada
Government Palace (Palacio de Gobierno) – Mexicali
Location: SW – Calzada Independencia / Avenida de los Heroes
Built: 1971 – 1977
Style: Modern
Architect: Unknown
Contractor: Unknown
Description: The building faces south and is a four story concrete and glass structure. The building is located at the Centro Civico to the south of the centre of Mexicali. On the west side is Avenida El Hospital. Called the “Edificio Poder Ejecutivo”. The building was constructed as part of the complex from 1971 to 1977. High concrete pillars support large white concrete balconies, the central of which acts as a portico over the glass entrance. Windows form a horizontal band on the third and fourth stories. The Governor’s Office is located on the 3rd floor.
Legislative Palace (Palacio Legislativo) – Mexicali
Location: SW – Calzada Independencia / Avenida de los Heroes
Built: 1971 – 1977
Style: Modern
Architect: Unknown
Contractor: Unknown
Description: The building faces north and is a three story concrete structure. The building is located at the Centro Civico to the south of the centre of Mexicali. The modern building is called the “Edificio del Poder Legislativo”. The building was constructed as part of the complex from 1971 to 1977. The building faces north onto the plaza of Centro Civico. Thin white vertical concrtete dividers rise to the top of the third story. The windows are hozitanal on the second and third stories. The building houses the State Congress (Honorable Congreso del Estado de Baja California).
Justice Palace (Palacio de Justicia) – Mexicali
Location: SW – Calzada Independencia / Avenida de los Heroes
Built: 1971 – 1977
Style: Modern
Architect: Unknown
Contractor: Unknown
Description: The building faces east and is a three story concrete structure. The court is located in the Edificio Tribunels at the Centro Civico to the south of the centre of Mexicali. The building was constructed as part of the complex from 1971 to 1977. The modern building faces east onto the plaza of the Centro Civico. The east front overhangs and is supported by large concrete pillars. The building houses the Tribunal Superior de Justicia.
Old Government Palace – Mexicali
Location: Avenida Obregon / Calle Julian Carrillo
Built: 1919 – 1922
Style: Classical
Architect: Unknown
Contractor: Unknown
Description: The building faces west and is a two story stone and concrete structure. The building is located in the centre of Mexicali . The building looks west along Avenida Obregon. The front has three arched entrances with three small balconies above on the second story. There is an interior courtyard. The building is now the Rectoria de la Universidad Autonoma.
Government Palace – Mexivali
Legislative Palace – Mexicali
Justice Palace – Mexicali
Old Government Palace – Mexicali
Photos taken 2008