State (pop., 2000: 423,516), southern Baja California peninsula, northwestern Mexico.
It occupies an area of 28,369 sq mi (73, 475 sq km), and its capital is La Paz . It became a state in 1974. It is sparsely populated and remains relatively underdeveloped. Much new acreage of cotton has been planted near La Paz, but subsistence agriculture is most common. An increase in tourism and improved communications have begun to alleviate the state's isolation.