La Paz, Baja California Sur, Mexico

Discovered by a Spanish expedition in 1533, supply problems prevented colonization by Hernan Cortes. Jesuits founded a mission on the Baja Peninsula in 1720 which, despite Indian uprisings, lasted nearly 30 years until disease nearly wiped out the indigenous people.

A Spanish settlement was established in 1811 to harvest beautiful black and pink pearls for the royal treasury in Spain. La Paz became the territorial capital in 1829 and during the Mexican-American War battles were fought in the city's streets until the war ended in 1848.

Today, the city does live up to its name. Avenues lined with palm trees and awesome sunsets inspire tranquility while the economic and political nature of this paradise ensure that 'everything is posible in La Paz'

Located on the shore of the beautiful Bay of La Paz in the Sea of Cortez, it is the second largest city on the Baja Peninsula and has a population of about 260,000.

The city is known primarily for its excellent sports fishing, diving, snorkeling and other water sports , and for its pleasant climate. La Paz is also a major center of ecotourism, because of its proximity to the whale sanctuary at Magdalena Bay and to desert areas where exotic animals and plants may be found.