CALIFORNIA, Gulf of, an arm of the Pacific Ocean, separating the peninsula of Lower California from the mainland. It lies between Lat. 23. and 32. N. and Long. 107. and 114. W.; and is about 700 miles in length, with a breadth varying from 40 to 150 miles. Its western shores are generally high and rocky, with few places of shelter; its eastern shores are lower and less rocky. It contains numerous islands; and at its northern extremity receives the rivers Colorado and Gila.—See CALIFORNIA, LOWER.