Mexicali

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Ciudad de Mexicali
City of Mexicali


Coat of Arms
Motto: Tierra Cálida
(Warm Land)

Municipality of Mexicali
Foundation date March 14, 1903
Population 855,962(2005)
Population Density 81.94 hab/km² (2000)
Altitude 10 meters
UTC −8 hours
Area code +52 686
Website: XVIII Ayuntamiento de Mexicali

Fuentes: INEGI, Enciclopedia de los Municipios de México

Mexicali is the capital of the state of Baja California, Mexico as well as the capital of the municipality of Mexicali. Situated along the state's northern border with the U.S. state of California, Mexicali is the northernmost city in Latin America, located at 32°40′0″N, 115°28′0″W. The city itself had a 2005 census population of 653,046, whereas the municipality's population was 855,962. The population is constantly growing due to the number of Maquiladoras in the area and migrational aspects. It is the 13th largest municipality in Mexico as of the Census 2005.

Founded on March 14, 1903, Mexicali is adjacent to the city of Calexico, California, which lies directly across the US border. The link is emphasized by the way each city's name combines the words "California" and "Mexico."

Mexicali is bordered to the north with the United States (Imperial County, California), to the east with the states of Arizona (US) and Sonora (Mexico), to the west with the municipality of Tecate, and to the south with the municipality of Ensenada. Mexicali has grown to be an important city in Mexico. The residents of Mexicali are from diverse backgrounds, and it is among the most racially diverse cities in Mexico, with people from various European, Arab and African origins. For example, many of the residents of Mexicali are of Asian descent, especially Chinese. In fact, Mexicali is home to the largest number of overseas Chinese in Mexico. Consequently, Mexicali has a large Chinatown, called La Chinesca. The city is noted for having one of the finest Chinese food cuisines on the entire North American continent, rivaling cities such as San Francisco, California.[citation needed] These Restaurants can be found all over the city, not just in Chinatown, but also in the main boulevards, such as Justo Sierra and Lazaro Cardenas Blvds. One can also explore the Chinese Pagoda in Plaza de la Amistad, along the border crossing, as well as the modern Civic Center, which is the administrative heart of the municipality.

Although not as popular among tourists as Tijuana, located a couple hours to the west, Mexicali has many sites where people from all over the country visit, as well as visitors from United States and Canada, such as the bullfighting arena, Plaza Calafia, where many bullfights ("corridas") are organized along the year. Mexicali has also a professional 18 hole Golf Course "Club Campestre" where both national and international championships take place regularly.

Still Mexicali, the city, is mainly a business place, with big manufacturing and agricultural industries, and a busy rail line into California. The strong cultural ties with the United States is well visible, as Mexicali got its urban planning from American other than traditional Mexican architecture and a high proportion of Mexicalense are fluent in the English language. The Mexican American majority of Imperial County, California make regular travels to the border town, sometimes to visit family and friends, and Americans of virtually all nationalities go to Mexicali to conduct business errands.

The citizens could say that one of main characteristics of this place, perhaps the most prominent, is its weather. Since the city was founded in the middle of the desert, mainly to avoid the dangers of the Colorado river spills, the area has very extreme weather, reaching very low temperatures in winter and extremely high temperatures in the summer. Visitors to Mexicali could witness the thermometer easily reaching levels of 40 degrees Celsius (104 on the Fahrenheit scale) in the shade, and even hitting 50°C (122°F) on the hottest days. However, the citizens are used to this, and some people take a very special pride in enduring such weather conditions — this is even the subject of recurring jokes amongst the population.

View of the Civic Center Monument to the four original municipalities in Baja California (Mexicali, Mexico)
View of the Civic Center Monument to the four original municipalities in Baja California (Mexicali, Mexico)

Contents

[edit] History

In pre-Columbian times, the Río Colorado (Colorado River) delta was inhabited by a centuries-long succession of Yumano tribes. When the Spanish first stumbled upon the delta after traversing, with great difficulty, the Sonoran Desert's Camino del Diablo ("Devil's Road"), a sophisticated Río Colorado culture was cultivating squash, melons, peas, and five colors of corn: yellow, blue, white, red, and blue-white. The Native Americans also possessed an impressive knowledge of medicinal herbs and employed desert plants like mesquite and agave in a wide variety of uses. Like their neighbors the Kiliwas, the Cucapás' numbers were greatly reduced by Spanish evangelization in northwest Mexico.

Among the major Yumano groups in the region were the Cucapás, who navigated the difficult Río Colorado on reed rafts. Today Cucapá descendants inhabit a small government-protected corner of the delta near the junction of the Hardy and Colorado rivers. For the most part, the Indians work on agricultural ejidos or fish the rivers, although many have migrated to Mexicali. Few indigenous customs survived both the Spanish and Mexican eras; both the Kiliwas and the Cucapás continued to practice cremation rituals, for example, until they were banned by the Mexican government early this century. Now Mexicali is progressing more than ever and is one of the faster cities to grown up in the Mexican nation. The last March 14th, Mexicali reached the 104 years.

[edit] The Building of an Agricultural Empire

After the Jesuits left, the Spanish and later the Mexicans had little to do with the northeastern corner of the Baja California peninsula, perceiving it as an untamable, flood-prone desert delta. Around the time of the U.S. Civil War, a Yale geologist, while surveying a route for the Southern Pacific Railroad, wandered into the delta and discovered what the dwindling population of Yumanos had known for centuries: the 2.5 km thick sediment was prime farming soil. The sediments extended far to the west of the river itself, accumulating in a shallow basin below the Sierra de Cucapá. All it needed was the addition of water to become an agricultural miracle.

In 1900 the U.S.-based California Land Company received permission from the Porfirio Díaz government to cut a canal through the delta's Arroyo Alamo, thus linking the dry basin with the Colorado River. To attract farmers to the area, the developers named the basin the Imperial Valley. In March 1903, the first 500 farmers arrived; by late 1904, 100,000 acres (405 km²) of valley were irrigated, with 10,000 people settled on the land and harvesting cotton, fruits, and vegetables. A collection of huts and ramadas that straddled the border was named Calexico on the U.S. side, Mexicali on the Mexican side.

Seeing that the equally fertile Valle de Mexicali lay undeveloped, another U.S. land syndicate, the Colorado River Land Company, moved in. Led by Harry Chandler, then publisher of the Los Angeles Times, the syndicate controlled some 800,000 acres (3200 km²) of northern Baja and in 1905 began constructing a Valle de Mexicali irrigation system. Instead of using Mexican labor, as the Imperial Valley developers had, Chandler imported thousands of Chinese coolies. After a major 1905 rainfall, the channel dug from Arroyo Alamo ended up diverting the entire outflow of the Colorado River into the Imperial Valley, taking Mexicali with it — unknowingly, the syndicate had tapped into one of the river's original routes. The Salton Sink, a dried-up remainder of the Sea of Cortez, became the Salton Sea virtually overnight.

Neither the U.S. nor Mexico wanted to take responsibility for the growing New River created by Chandler's mistake. As both valleys became increasingly inundated, the Southern Pacific Railroad stepped in and, to protect its tracks, dumped a sufficient amount of rock into the river to head the Colorado back into the Cortez, leaving a canal to the Valle de Mexicali. From then on, both valleys became highly productive agricultural centers.

Mexicali was born on 14 March 1903 with Manuel Vizcarra as the town's first authority and assistant judge (juez auxiliar). Mexicali is now the capital city of Baja California, the 29th state of Mexico. Shortly after the first irrigation canals were built, most of the land was bought by the Colorado River Land Company from the USA The company developed commercial crops and became almost a monopoly until it was decided to sell its land to Mexican farmers in 1936 and 1937.

The Mexicali Valley is the agricultural heart of the state, with more than 2,000 square kilometres of irrigated land. This valley is responsible for some of the biggest crops in Mexico, including wheat and cotton. With an ensured supply of water, Mexicali has become an important exporter of asparagus, broccoli, green onion and radish for the whole world.

Cotton became the most important crop of the Valley and it helped to develop the dressing and textile industries. In the early 1950s, the Mexicali Valley became the biggest cotton producing zone in the whole country. Production increased even more in the mid-1960s, reaching more than half a million parcels harvested in just one year.

[edit] Economy

In its beginnings Mexicali was an important center for cotton production for export until synthetic fabrics reduced the worldwide demand for the fiber.

Currently horticulture is the most successful agricultural activity with scallion, green onion and asparagus being among the most important crops. Cotton and wheat are still cultivated but with government price guarantees and subsidies making wheat farmer protests an annual event. There is an annual agribusiness fair in March drawing interested people from all over Mexico and the United States called Agrobaja.

The current prospects for economic growth in Mexicali rely on in-bond and assembly plants, mainly for export, including companies like Sony, Daewoo, Mitsubishi, Honeywell, Paccar, Vitro, Skyworks Solutions, Cardinal Health, Bosch, Price Pfister, Kwikset. Mexicali is also home to many food processing plants such as Nestle, Jumex, Sabritas, and Expo Cocinas.

There are joint efforts on behalf of the Baja California government and the private sector to attract more companies to Mexicali based on a cluster strategy focusing on the regions' strengths of qualified labor, abundant energy and water supplies, a pro-business environment and its location on the California border.

Mexicali is considered among the most prosperous cities in Mexico, although American tourists can observe the level of poverty in rural villages surround a modern upper-middle class enclave of Mexicali proper. The North American Free Trade Agreement of 1994 that eliminated most trade restrictions between the two nations offers Mexicali an economic boom in the next decade.

[edit] Housing

Housing in Mexicali is plentiful and home ownership among its residents is the highest in Mexico (approximately 65% home ownership rate). The outskirts of the city are sprawling with new subdivisions that range from small 650 sq. ft homes to large 4,000+ sq. ft residences in exclusive gated communities. Despite the abundance of housing in Mexicali, housing is expensive relative to the rest of Mexico. A basic two-bedroom, one-bathroom 800 sq. ft. home on a 1,500 sq. ft. lot costs about $50,000 US. Hence, population density is high in Mexicali despite the fact that very few buildings throughout the city are over two-stories (due to seismic activity and the high shrink-swell potential of the soil in the area it is cost prohibitive to construct high buildings in this area). With a growing upper and upper-middle class in Mexicali exclusive gated communities are being built in the periphery of the city, particularly toward the eastern outskirts of the city. Most homes in San Pedro Residential, a new gated community, are over $1,000,000 US despite being on lots with an average size of 7,500 sq. ft. Calexico, California has become a bedroom community for many of the Mexicali rich and new, exclusive communities such as Victoria Estates, where homes exceed $500,000 US, have been built to cater to this segment of the population. Example of new middle-class subdivision in Mexicali

[edit] Silicon Border

Silicon Border is a high-tech manufacturing park currently under construction near the border with California. The aim of the manufacturing park is to capitalize on Mexicali's proximity to Silicon Valley to lure some of the lucrative semiconductor manufacturing market to Mexico. The Mexican Federal and Baja California governments have committed over $2 million to the project. Additionally, former President Vicente Fox offered 10 years of tax-free status to any firms that locate in the park and invest $1 billion or more. The cost of a single semiconductor manufacturing plant can top $1.5 billion. [1]

California's Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has repeatedly promoted cooperation with the project in his radio addresses. [2]

The proximity of two new power plants is a major aide to this project, as manufacturing semiconductors requires a high-quality electricity supply. As the project grows, it is slated to receive a dedicated power plant. Further infrastructure improvements associated with Silicon Border include a new highway (under construction) and an additional border crossing. [3]

[edit] Natural Resources

In spite of its arid and desert sceneries, Mexicali is a municipality privileged by its big quantity of natural resources, emphasizing the existence of big cloaks acuíferos in his vale, consequence of the filtration of the waters of the River Colorado and his tributaries. Also to the skirts of the Volcano Blackish Hill one of the plants finds the biggest Geotérmicas of Latin America, same where there are extracted big quantities of natural gas and electrical energy.

[edit] Culture

In 2004, there were 7 theaters [1] in the city:

  1. Teatro del Estado.
  2. Teatro al Aire Libre del Centro Comunitario Estudiantil.
  3. Teatro de Casa de Cultura de Mexicali. Idem.
  4. Teatro del CREA
  5. Teatro Universitario de Mexicali, que se utiliza principalmente para ceremonias de la UABC y ocasionalmente para obras teatrales
  6. Teatro al Aire Libre de Rectoría
  7. Teatro del Seguro Social that was inaugurated in the 70's.
  8. Teatro al aire libre del Centro de Enseñanza Técnica y Superior CETYS inaugurado en septiembre del 2006.
  9. Teatro del Centro de Enseñanza Técnica y Superior CETYS.
  10. IMAX Teatro in The Sol del Niño Museum

Mexicali also have the Baja Prog festival who is a series of progressive rock concerts that take place during 4 consecutive days in march, where 20 bands and fans from all over the world get together to exchange ideas and build relationships. The Festival takes place in Mexicali, capital of the state of Baja California, Mexico; right on the border with California in the U.S.

It's hosted by CAST, a Progressive Rock band from Mexicali,Mexico


[edit] Sports

The City of Mexicali is provided in its credit with a Team of Basketball in Liga Nacional de Baloncesto Profesional (LNBP) of Mexico, the so-called Soles de Mexicali and its stadium is the "Auditorio del Estado" located in the Ciudad Deportiva de Mexicali. Where also the Football Stadium is located where the Cachanillas de Mexicali play team that plays in 3era Division of Mexican Federation of Football, Also in the Ciudad Deportiva one can find the stadium El Nido (also known as Estadio Casas GEO) where the professional baseball team "Águilas de Mexicali" play every season.

Mexicali is also home to a 2006 American Basketball Association franchise, the Centinelas de Mexicali (the Sentinels)

Mexicali possesses a diversity of shopping malls, the most visited being Plaza La Cachanilla, located just a few minutes away from the US border. The mall hosts a variety of shops, which sell a wide array of things, ranging from cheap Mexican curiosities to expensive imports. The Plaza La cachanilla also represents a common place for the people to socialize. Especially in summer when the weather is hot, a lot of families come and spend all the day inside the mall.

Just about everything one could find in the US can be found in Mexicali, including pool halls, bowling alleys, traditional cantinas, car clubs, museums, a zoo, a state college, a convention center, supermarkets, and fast food joints.

[edit] Weather

Mexicali is well known for its extreme weather. In order to avoid floods from the Colorado River, the was built in the middle of the desert. [2] The highest temperature recorded in Mexicali was 122 Fahrenheit in July 2005. Average July highs hover around 107 Fahrenheit. On the other hand, Winter normals are quite low, with average January lows of 41 Fahrenheit and a record low of 18 Fahrenheit recorded in January 1949. [3]. Being used to this weather is a source of pride for some Mexicali residents. [2]

[edit] Notable Residents

  • Elizabeth Algrávez, poet
  • Anita Álvarez de Williams, anthropologist and photographer
  • Eduardo Arellano Elías, poet
  • Eduardo Auyón, artist
  • Norma Enriqueta "Queta" Basilio de Sotelo, famous Mexican track and field short-distance runner (100 meter hurdling sprinter). She was the final torch bearer during the Opening Ceremony of the 1968 Mexico City Olympic Games, and became the first woman in history to light the Olympic cauldron. [4]
  • Milton Castellanos Everardo, governor of Baja California 1971-1977, born in Chiapas
  • Nikki Clan, Mexican Pop Rock/Pop Punk band
  • David Cortés, MLB player for the Colorado Rockies
  • Eugenio Elorduy Walther, current governor of Baja California, businessman; born in Calexico, California
  • Martika Ibarra, Mexican model, designer, and realtor
  • Lupita Jones, Señorita Mexico (Miss Mexico) 1990, Miss Universe 1991
  • Rafael Limón, boxer
  • Juan Meza, boxer
  • Jorge Paez, boxer
  • Dean Phoenix, gay pornographic actor
  • Gus Vildosola, Professional Baja Racer in Trophy Truck Class, Multiple Score Desert Series Champion
  • Reik, Mexican Pop Rock group, nominated for 2005 best new artist Latin Grammy
  • Adolfo Wilhelmy, first playwright in Baja California, writer and cultural promoter
  • Ernesto Zedillo Ponce de León, President of Mexico 1994-2000, from the PRI Political Party, born in Mexico City, moved to Mexicali at age 3, then moved back to Mexico City to study High School (Bachillerato), obtained a Ph.D. in Economics from Yale, currently teaching at Yale University and on the Board of Directors of some Fortune 500 companies
  • Alfonso Vidales Keybords of Mexican Progressive Rock Band "Cast", And Principal promotor of the Most Important worldwide event of Progressive Rock; The Baja Prog Festival on March every year since 1997.

[edit] Sister Cities

[edit] External links

[edit] Schools

[edit] Other

  • Manuel Vizcarra, Mexican judge, founded the city of Mexicali, Baja California on March 14, 1903
  • Rudolph Valentino, Italian silent era motion picture Hollywood actor, married Natacha Rambova in a drunken spree in Mexicali, Mexico on May 13, 1922, his second marriage
  • Barbara Stanwyck, American film and television actress, lead role in "Mexicali Rose" film during 1929
  • Gene Autry, American performer, "Mexicali Rose" one of his popular songs
  • Dolores del Rio, Mexican film actress, one of the most beautiful women in Hollywood, a sex siren, but struggled against the "Mexicali Rose" image
  • Mexicali Shmoes, 1959 Looney Tunes cartoon directed by Friz Freleng, produced by John W. Barton of Warner Bros., has Jose and Manuel chasing Speedy Gonzales, and introduces Slowpoke Rodriguez, Speedy's cousin. WOW! A great honour!
  • The Coasters, American doo wop and early rock and roll group, evolving from The Robins, song "Down in Mexico (in a little town called Mexicali)" in The Very Best of the Coasters
  • Grateful Dead, American psychedelia-influenced rock band, song "Mexicali Blues" in Skeletons from the Closet: The Best of Grateful Dead
  • Mexicali Musk, men's fragance by Coty, cologne spray and after shave splash, with plastic worm at the bottom of the bottle
  • Mexicali Brass, American popular music group, with hits like "Mexicali Jumping Bean," "Calexico Cocktail," " and "Spanish Flea"
  • Aztec Brewing Company started in Mexicali before moving to San Diego, California.

[edit] References

  1. ^ http://sic.conaculta.gob.mx/infraestructura/teatros/todo.php3?J=10
  2. ^ a b AllExperts.com Mexicali http://en.allexperts.com/e/m/me/mexicali.htm
  3. ^ MSN Weather Mexicali http://weather.msn.com/local.aspx?wealocations=wc:MXBC0004

[edit] External links

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