HISTORY OF MEXICALI

Mexicali was founded on March 14, 1903 , and is situated on the México–United States border adjacent to its sister city Calexico, California, with which it forms a dual-state, international population center.

 Mexicali-Calexico.

Their name came from the fusion of the two words “México” - “California” and “California” - “México” respectively, Their names were chosen as a gesture of international friendship.

In 1900, after receiving permission to cut a canal through the delta’s Arroyo Alamo to link the dry basin with the Colorado River, the farmers arrived and the people settled on the land harvesting cotton, fruits, and vegetables. The concentration of small housing units that straddled the border was called Calexico on the U.S. side and Mexicali on the Mexican side. Building of the irrigation system started in 1905 and instead of using Mexican labor to dig the ditches, thousands of Chinese laborers were brought in and Mexicali became culturally Chinese influenced.

For the good part of the 20th Century, this fertile valley attracted a considerable amount of its population for the Cotton production. The Valley still is one of México’s most productive agricultural regions, mostly producing wheat, cotton and vegetables. However, its economy has gradually gone from being agricultural to include industry. The city maintains a highly educated and skilled population, as it has modernized and become an important population center in the desert region. Mexicali’s economy has been historically based on agricultural products, and it remains a large sector of the economy. Currently a major automobile, aerospace, health and communications center.

Mexicali also offers cultural attractions such as the Regional Museum, the Sol del Niño Museum, University of Baja California Museum, and the State Theater. Other interests are the Former Government Palace, Cathedral of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Downtown Mexicali, Colorado River Land Company Building, Cachanilla Plaza, Calafia Bullfighting Ring and the City Zoo & City Forest. Mexicali also has a professional 18-hole golf course “Club Campestre” where both national and international championships take place.

Surrounded by fertile valleys preserved in a desert environment, the capital of Baja California flourishes as a young and prominent city called “City that Captures the Sun” with its charms.

The City has pleasant weather from October to May, ideal for outdoor activities, golfing, hunting, fishing, extreme sports and camping, just to name a few. Nearby Guadalupe Canyon is famous for its waterfalls and hot springs. 120 miles south of Mexicali on the Sea of Cortez lies the Port of San Felipe, known as the “Aquarium of the World”, on the warm waters of the Sea of Cortez you can practice water sports and fishing, or bike racing, golf and off road for the land dwellers.