Established in 1535, La Paz is the largest city and capital of the territory of Baja California Sur. The city itself is relatively flat, and has prospered thanks to its position on the coast of the Sea of Cortés—to which the city owes its existence. For much of Mexico's history, the city has been largely unremarkable, living through the ups and downs of Mexican history much like any other. By the 1950s, however, the city saw a remarkable shift as a wave of prosperity and growth transformed the once backwater city lying on a sparsely populated peninsula into a hub of commerce and tourism.

La Paz now stands as a testament to the success of the Mexican Miracle, a symbol of prosperity and progress for the Mexican people. It is also a symbol of the growing power of the Baja California Peninsula, perhaps heralding a new strength for the once forgotten people of this far northwestern territory.