The Gulf of California separates mainland Mexico from the Baja California Peninsula

iss073e0865795 (Oct. 1, 2025) --- The Gulf of California, also known as the Sea of Cortez, separates mainland Mexico from the Baja California Peninsula in this photograph from the International Space Station as it orbited 261 miles above California. Geologically, it is Earth’s youngest sea, formed around 5 million years ago due to tectonic activity. In 2005, the Gulf was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in recognition of its unique oceanographic processes and extraordinary biodiversity.