About the Area of Loreto
On October 19, 1697 Jesuit priest Juan María de Salvatierra established the first permanent mission in Baja California Sur, dedicated to Our Lady of Loreto. The Jesuits were expelled from the peninsula on February 3, 1768 leaving behind 70 years of cultural legacy, along with 18 missions and 2 visitas ("visiting missions" or "country chapels"). In April of the same year the first Franciscan friars led by Junípero Serra arrived, but they were eventually replaced by the Dominicans in 1772. The peninsula was divided into two separate entities in 1804, with the southern one having the seat of government established in the Port of Loreto.
The Bay of Loreto Marine Park is one of the National treasures of Mexico. The Marine Park covers 2,065 square kilometers in the Sea of Cortez ranging from Isla Coronado in the north to Isla Catalana in the south. On July 14, 2005, the Park was inscribed to the United Nations list of protected World Heritage Sites. With over 800 species of marine life inhabiting the Sea of Cortez and many of them currently endangered, the need for protection of these delicate ecosystems is great.
Where the Mountains come to swim. In the foothills of Sierra de La Giganta Mountains to the west of Muleje are some spectacular caves with artistic images painted on the walls and ceilings or in rock shelters, even in unprotected rock surfaces, these amazing images are delivered from observations of creatures in the natural world like humans, deers, various birds and even marine animals.
Cave Paintings
Sunrise in Loreto
Cove in Isla Coronado
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