Introduction

The name of the capital of Baja California is derived from the words “Mexico” and “California.” True to its name, the city is a combination of Mexican and American influences that have led to robust industrial and agricultural sectors; a valley of some 500,000 cultivated acres surrounds it.

In recent years Mexicali has increasingly served as a departure point for adventure seekers. In nearby Cañon de Guadalupe (Guadalupe Canyon) you can go mountain climbing, discover real oases in the middle of the desert, and go mountain biking in the sierras. Hunting (from August to February) and fishing are popular, especially close to the Rio Colorado (Colorado River).

Located only 13 miles from Calexico and 115 miles east of Tijuana, Mexicali is home to nearly 900,000 inhabitants. At the beginning of the 20th century a wave of Chinese immigrants gave the city its Asian flavor; Chinese cuisine still forms part of the culinary landscape and buildings here and there resemble pagodas.