The Vizcaino Desert is a primary desert region of Baja located on the western side of the Peninsula. According to Wikipedia (online encyclopedia), "Deserts are defined as areas that receive an average precipitation of less than 250mm (10in). They take up one-third of the Earth’s land surface". Annual rainfall in this area is approximately 5cm per year (2 inches) - with additional moisture from condensation of Pacific Ocean breezes.
The Vizcaino Desert is just south of Vizcaino Bay and encompasses the coast from Barra San Juan to El Rosario and includes the following mountain ranges: Cerro Matomí, Sierra San Luis, Sierra San Borja, Volcán Las Tres Vírgenes, and Sierra San Francisco. It, and Vizcaino Bay that is adjacent to the desert areas, are named after the Spanish explorer Sebastian Vizcaino. A map of the area can be viewed here: Desert Ecology - Baja California Deserts. It is a minor portion of the larger Sonoran Desert that encompasses areas in Arizona, California, and Sonora, Mexico as well.
The vegetation of this desert area includes the following types of cacti: senita, barrel, candelbra, cholla and sour pitaya. It also contains boojum, elephant trees and agaves stem or leaf succulents and the desert shrubs slipper plant and ball moss.
Photos and more information on Ocean Oasis' online Field Guide - Vizcaino Desert.
Molly, author of Viva La Baja! Relocation Guide to the Baja California Peninsula
Saturday, May 31, 2008
Saturday, May 24, 2008
Express Mail Services in Baja
A previous post on sending and receiving a letter or package in Baja described regular postal services, including sending mail within the Peninsula by bus: Mail in the Baja & How to Receive a Package.
For many travelers and residents, 10 days plus to receive mail is not sufficient in many instances. For expedited service, some areas in Baja have businesses offering private, express mail services.
In Baja Norte, Rosarito Beach has two options: International Mail & Business Center (located in Quinta Plaza) and Mail Express & Extras (located behind Le Costeau).
In Baja Sur, Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo have the following services: DHL Worldwide Express (in Plaza Copan) and MailBoxes Etc.(in Plaza Las Palmas).
When you are receiving mail from the U.S. using FedEx, DHL or other expedited services, remember that you usually have to give a street address in Baja, as most delivery companies will not deliver to a postal office.
Molly, author of Viva La Baja! Relocation Guide to the Baja California Peninsula
For many travelers and residents, 10 days plus to receive mail is not sufficient in many instances. For expedited service, some areas in Baja have businesses offering private, express mail services.
In Baja Norte, Rosarito Beach has two options: International Mail & Business Center (located in Quinta Plaza) and Mail Express & Extras (located behind Le Costeau).
In Baja Sur, Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo have the following services: DHL Worldwide Express (in Plaza Copan) and MailBoxes Etc.(in Plaza Las Palmas).
When you are receiving mail from the U.S. using FedEx, DHL or other expedited services, remember that you usually have to give a street address in Baja, as most delivery companies will not deliver to a postal office.
Molly, author of Viva La Baja! Relocation Guide to the Baja California Peninsula
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Southwest Goes South to Mexico
According to an article on Jaunted.com this week, Southwest Airlines is teaming up with Volaris, a discount Mexican carrier, to send passen...
