Photographer: Giovanni Simeone
Code: PBC1014899
The coasts of the Sea of Cortez, bathed by the warm waters of the Gulf of California, represent a corner of paradise where nature expresses itself in all its extraordinary beauty. The coastal environment of the Sea of Cortez is characterized by estuaries, where fresh and saltwater mix. These areas are crucial for many species of fish and migratory birds, which find refuge and nourishment in this delicate balance between the two environments.
The Gulf of California is a deep inlet stretching over 1000 km with a slightly lower average salinity compared to the Mediterranean, measuring around 35g/l as opposed to 38g/l. Water temperatures in the gulf range from 16°C in winter to 31°C, generally about 5°C warmer than the Pacific Ocean. It has an average width of about 150 km (with a minimum of 90 km and a maximum of 220 km) and depths exceeding 3000 m, inhabited by deep-sea fish, giant squids, and unknown species of large sharks. The Colorado River flows into the northernmost point of the gulf, and the maximum tidal range exceeds 6 meters in the northern part. Jacques-Yves Cousteau, impressed by the richness of marine life in these waters, dubbed it "The Aquarium of the World
