Tecate

Tecate
Tecate
Tecate Location in Mexico
Coordinates: 32°34′30″N 116°37′7″W / 32.575°N 116.61861°W / 32.575; -116.61861
Country	Mexico
State	Baja California
Municipality	Tecate (municipality)
Population (2005)
- Total	91,034

Tecate is a small city in the Mexican state of Baja California, located at 32°34′30″N 116°37′7″W / 32.575°N 116.61861°W / 32.575; -116.61861 on the border with the United States and adjacent to Tecate, California. There is a border crossing which is much quieter than nearby Tijuana or Mexicali, making it a more accurate representation of small-town Mexican culture. The crossing is not open between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. Although the city is only 40 miles from San Diego, the link is a winding mountain road, so Tecate is not so viable as an alternative to long lines on the Tijuana–San Ysidro border.

Tecate is best known outside of its region as the home of Tecate beer and author Daniel Reveles. Tecate beer is one of the best-known beers in Mexico and California. It is typically drunk pouring lime and salt on the top of the can.

In May, the annual Tecate-to-Ensenada bicycle race takes place, with thousands of cyclists from both sides of the border participating. July is the time for a two-week celebration in Los Encinos Park, featuring dance groups, crafts, food concessions, and exhibits.

The pamplonada, or running of the bulls, was ordinarily held in August in the 1980s and early 1990s along one of the main streets, but was canceled because of a series of accidents and violence.

Tecate also has a stadium called "Manuel Ceceña", home to the local baseball team, the "Cerveceros".

The Tecate campus of the Universidad Autonoma de Baja California houses a school of engineering (mainly industrial engineering).

Location

Tecate's main avenue.

Tecate, which reported a population of 59,124 in the 2005 census, serves as the administrative centre for the surrounding municipality of the same name, one of the five into which the state is divided. The municipality's population was 91,034 in the 2005 census.

Tecate's altitude of approx. 1700 feet (550 m) above sea level and its proximity to the ocean afford an agreeable climate. It rains enough in the area for a thick ground cover of shrubs to grow; the change from maritime to desert climates is at a higher altitude a couple hours drive further east.

Tecate is also the name of a small river that courses through the city, and of a hamlet on the Alta California or US side of the border, affectionately known as "Tecatito" (population around 100; zip code 91980).

Economy

Tecate is also the site of the first brewery of Tecate Beer.

Transport

Tecate Park.

Tecate is on a spur of the toll road linking Tijuana with Mexicali across the central Sierra. It is also on the older two-lane east-west road which is toll-free.

Air travel

The city is home for the Tecate Airport, which no longer operates due to low trafic. Instead, Tecate residents are served by nearby Tijuana International Airport, closer to Tecate than Mexicali International Airport, used to a lesser extent.

References

• Link to tables of population data from Census of 2005 INEGI: Instituto Nacional de Estadística, Geografía e Informática

External links

• Municipality of Tecate
• Life & Businesses of Tecate

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Tecate

v • d • e   State of Baja California Mexicali (capital) Municipalities and municipal seats  · Ensenada ( Ensenada ) · Mexicali (Mexicali )  · Playas de Rosarito (Playas de Rosarito) · Tecate (Tecate) · Tijuana (Tijuana)