Mexicali, << `mehk` sih KAL ee or `meh` hee KAH lee >> (pop. 854,186), is the capital and one of the largest cities of the Mexican state of Baja California. Mexicali lies across the border from Calexico, California. The names of both cities are combinations of the words Mexico and California.
Mexicali was founded in 1903. Today, the city is a center of tourism. Tourists enjoy Mexicali’s bullfights, rodeos, dune-buggy races, handicraft exhibits, Mexican and Asian restaurants, and exclusive shopping district. The city also has a historical museum and numerous examples of modern and old Spanish-style architecture.
