Mexicali, Border city in Baja California, Mexico
Mexicali is a border city in Baja California that spreads from bare hills in the west to irrigated fields in the east. The northern edge touches the American town of Calexico, and both places are connected by wide roads and checkpoint lanes.
The settlement began in the early 1900s when engineers dug canals to turn desert soil into farmland. Workers from China arrived in large numbers to help build the irrigation systems, and many stayed permanently after the work was finished.
The name combines Mexico and California, marking the spot where two countries meet. Downtown streets feature shop signs in Chinese characters alongside Spanish, evidence of a community that arrived generations ago and stayed.
Border crossing lanes operate around the clock, with wait times longest on weekday mornings and afternoons. Visitors should keep travel documents ready and expect security checks when crossing.
Temperatures often climb above 104 degrees Fahrenheit (40 degrees Celsius) during summer, making it one of the hottest capitals in the country. Despite the heat, locals often move through the streets early in the morning or late in the evening when the air cools slightly.
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