Exploring the Rich History of La Paz, Baja California Sur

Nestled on the eastern coast of the Baja California Peninsula, La Paz, the capital of Baja California Sur, is a city steeped in history and culture. From its humble beginnings as a small fishing village to its rise as a vibrant tourist destination, La Paz has a fascinating story to tell. Let's take a journey through time and explore the rich history of this beautiful city.

The Early Years

La Paz was founded in 1535 by Hernán Cortés, the Spanish conquistador who is best known for leading the expedition that caused the fall of the Aztec Empire. Cortés arrived in the area in search of pearls, and he named the new settlement "Santa Cruz" (Holy Cross). However, the harsh desert conditions and the lack of freshwater made it difficult for the settlement to thrive, and it was eventually abandoned.

In 1596, Spanish explorer Sebastián Vizcaíno rediscovered the area and renamed it La Paz (The Peace). This time, the Spanish established a more permanent settlement, using it as a base for further exploration of the Baja California Peninsula.

The Mission Era

During the 17th and 18th centuries, the Jesuits and later the Franciscans established missions in the region to convert the indigenous peoples to Christianity. One of the most important of these missions was the Mission Nuestra Señora de La Paz, founded in 1720. The mission played a crucial role in the development of the region, serving as a center for agriculture, education, and religion.

The Mexican War of Independence

In the early 19th century, Mexico gained independence from Spain, and La Paz became part of the new nation. However, the region was largely isolated from the rest of Mexico, and development was slow.

The Pearling Industry

In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, La Paz experienced a boom in the pearling industry. The waters around the city were rich in pearls, and many people came to La Paz to try their luck as pearl divers. The pearling industry brought wealth to the region and led to the construction of many beautiful buildings in the city.

Modern Times

In the 20th century, La Paz began to develop into the bustling city that we know today. The construction of roads and the completion of the Transpeninsular Highway in the 1970s made the city more accessible, and tourism began to flourish.

Celebrating International Women's Day: Empowerment, Progress, and Solidarity

March 8th marks a significant occasion worldwide – International Women's Day. It's a day dedicated to celebrating the achievements of women, acknowledging the strides made towards gender equality, and highlighting the ongoing efforts to address the challenges women face globally. Since its inception, International Women's Day has served as a beacon of empowerment, fostering solidarity among women and advocating for their rights.

Empowerment Through Recognition:
International Women's Day is not just about celebrating the accomplishments of notable figures; it's about recognizing the contributions of women from all walks of life. From political leaders and activists to educators, healthcare workers, and entrepreneurs, women play pivotal roles in shaping societies and driving positive change. By acknowledging their achievements, we empower women to strive for excellence and break barriers in traditionally male-dominated fields.

Progress Towards Gender Equality:
While significant progress has been made in advancing women's rights and opportunities, there's still much work to be done. Gender disparities persist in various aspects of life, including education, employment, healthcare, and representation in leadership roles. International Women's Day serves as a reminder of the need to continue advocating for gender equality and dismantling the systemic barriers that hinder women's progress. Through education, policy reforms, and collective action, we can create a more inclusive and equitable world for future generations.

Dengue Baja

Dengue fever is considered a year-round, nationwide threat in Mexico; however, risk is highest June-October. Health authorities identified roughly 59,918 cases of dengue fever in 2022, 36,742 cases in 2021, 120,639 cases in 2020, and 268,458 cases in 2019. Dengue is a viral infection that spreads from mosquitoes to people. It is more common in tropical and subtropical climates. Most people who get dengue won’t have symptoms. But for those that do, the most common symptoms are high fever, headache, body aches, nausea and rash. Most people will get better in 1–2 weeks, however, some people develop severe dengue which includes shock or respiratory distress due to plasma leakage, severe bleeding, organ impairment, and death

Ana Luisa Guluarte, director of Health Services of the State Ministry of Health, reported that they are monitoring the dengue cases that tend to rise in the rainy season and hurricanes, they are currently under close surveillance to locate conditions in the five municipalities of the state. "We have one death in Los Cabos, in addition, 30% of these cases presented dengue with alarm signs and severe forms, so yes, there is the possibility of complications. We have to do a strong job, it is a condition where the community participation of citizens is fundamental in the elimination of hatcheries”.

Read our full report here 

There are fumigation processes by the health department across the city in progress, thermonebulization and larval control, that is, the health brigades that go house to house identifying hatcheries, eliminating them and applying insecticides or herbicides to eliminate hatcheries. 

The basics YOU can do: Cover and clean water containers on a regular basis. Common household items like pet water containers, planter dishes, and flower vases can serve as breeding grounds since mosquitoes like to lay their eggs in standing water. Keep your house clean and tidy. Avoid leaving junk inside and outside the house which can possibly house mosquitoes and their eggs like old tires and other storage containers with water inside.