MExicali is the capital of the mexican state of Baja California, which is also the westernmost state of mexico. Today the major industries in Mexicali are horticulture and in-bound assembly, with installations by many of the world’s greatest corporations operating in the municipality. Mexicali is the 13th most populated municipality in Mexico, reflecting its status as a busy ecoinomic hub.

Mexicali is a relatively new settlement. Before the arrival of the Spanish, the region was inhabited by various indigenous tribes of the Yuman branch, the major groups being the Cocopah and Kiliwa. For many years the Spanish stayed away from the northern parts of Baja California, perceiving it to be uninhabitable. The only settlement was established by the Jesuits at first, who also abandoned the area at around 1781. It was not until the discovery of the fertility of the soil of the region by engineers of the South Pacific Railroad that the area saw permanent settlement.

Photos via Wikipedia.

An Old World Shopping Experience

The origin of the mexican Mercado can be traced back to a group of people who arrived in North America some 12,000 years ago.  The Clovis People as they were known, were initially big game hunters but when the glaciers began to retreat in North America and the woolly mammoths and giant elk disappeared they were forced to look elsewhere for survival.  Around 2000 BC they learned how to work the land and grew things like maize, beans and squash.  Now that they had become farmers, they gave up the nomad lifestyle of chasing wild game, to stay in one place to tend their crops.  This brought about a complete cultural change.  Now, as a community, they had wares to buy and sell.  Thus the mercado is born.

Chiles, Chiles, and More Chiles

Around 1500BC the Olmec Culture was the first major culture to be born in mexico.  They were responsible for building massive temples and enormous structures of stone.  They had a calendar and a writing system that helped them to keep track of their inventories.  The temple cities were generally for religious ceremonies, but when this many people come together a form of commercial commerce was bound to evolve.  In these days, goods traded would include things like jade, marine shells and pottery.  At these trade centers, people exchanged goods and services but the mercados also provided a place for people to meet and communicate.

As time passed, Mexico became a place of great action and growth.  Villages became towns and cities and the mercado also grew in complexity and size.  As civilization evolved so did the mercado, and people became more and more dependent on them to peddle

there goods and services.

Over time, the markets have become more sophisticated but they still hold all their Old World charm.  A visit to a mercado is definitely a cultural experience.  To smell the smells, see the wares and watch the people is an energizing experience.  An adventure back in time awaits you.

San Felipe, Baja California mexico, is the getaway to the northern reaches of the Sea of Cortez. San Felipe is located about 125 miles south of Mexicali. This once sleepy fishing village has emerged as one of Mexico’s fastest-growing resort towns and is becoming particularly popular with foreigners who are seeking a place for retirement or to purchase a vacation home.

San Felipe’s economy has been transformed by the influence of the tourists and retirees. It is estimated that San Felipe attracts some 250,000 visitors a year, principally “snow birds” from the U.S and Canada who arrive between November and March each year.

New hotels and amenities are appearing every year in San Felipe. This is not a Luxury Vacation Resort area, although it’s ideal if you are seeking a warm desert climate along side a beautifully unspoiled beach and want to be away from the hipper-commercialization associated with resorts situated on the southern part of the Baja Penninsula.

Pastimes here include fishing sports, desert tours, off road driving, golf and nature walks along beaches and in the surrounding mountains. For walking, jogging strolling and swimming, San Felipe environment offers you a wonderful selection of beautifully quiet and unspoiled beaches to enjoy. Spectacular rises and falls of the tide may also be witnessed around the time of the new and full moon.

So, if you are looking for a quieter and less commercialized beach experience close to nature, close to the U.S border and away from the crowds, San Felipe may be the ideal place to consider.

More Pictures…