Ojinaga

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Ojinaga is a rural town in northern region of the Mexican state of Chihuahua.

Ojinaga stands on the U.S.-Mexico border. The city of Presidio, Texas, is directly opposite, on the U.S. side of the border. Ojinaga is situated where the Río Conchos drains into the Rio Grande.

Ojinaga, named after Juarista governor Manuel Ojinaga, boasts a population of around 20,000 people. Ojinaga was founded around 1200 A.D. by the Pueblo Native Americans, who were later assimilated by Uto-Aztecan speakers. Ojinaga was first visited by Spanish explorers (led by Álvar Núñez Cabeza de Vaca) in 1535.

During the Mexican Revolution, Ojinaga was the scene of the Battle of Ojinaga, between the Pancho Villa's revolutionaries and government troops. The American writer Ambrose Bierce may have died there, although that is uncertain.

Considered one of the most unspoiled Mexican border towns, Ojinaga still retains its rural culture and environment, with relatively little pollution and urban problems. Some of the most famous norteño musicians are from Ojinaga, such as Polo Urías, Adolfo Urías, Los Diamantes de Ojinaga, Los Rieleros del Norte, Conjunto Primavera, Los Jilgueros del Arroyo, and Los Norteños de Ojinaga. These artists, unlike many other norteño bands who use solely accordions as the lead instrument, use saxophones and accordions together to create a uniquely Ojinaga-styled norteño music.

Because of its location on the Rio Grande border between Texas and Chihuahua, Ojinaga has sometimes been a station for narcotic smuggling and illegal immigration. The creation of the "Entrada al Pacifico" or the entrance to the pacific, has made Ojinaga and Presidio, Texas into an inlade trade corridor between the two countries. The route extends into Odessa-Midland, Texas which is the major hub for west Texas. Odessa and Midland which have 100,000 people each will benefit greatly from this corridor. Several Changes have also had to be made to the port of entry in Presidio, Texas to accommodate the growing amount of traffic crossing the border. Truck Lanes for heavy vehicles have also been added