Tijuana

Tijuana is a major city located in the Mexican state of Baja California.

It sits on the northwestern Pacific Coast of Mexico. The city is the most populous in northern Mexico. It also serves as the municipal seat for the Tijuana Municipality. As the hub of a large metropolitan area, it is a vital center for trade. Tijuana is the 27th largest city in the Americas. It is also the westernmost city in the entire country of Mexico.

The city is located just south of California in the United States. It sits right against the international border. This proximity creates the San Diego–Tijuana metro area. This region is the largest bi-national conurbation shared between the U.S. and Mexico. The population of Tijuana has grown significantly over recent years. As of 2024, the population reached 2,297,000 people. This represents a growth of 1.63% since 2023. In 2020, the city had 1,810,645 inhabitants. The larger international metropolitan region was estimated at 5,158,459 people in 2016.

Tijuana's history began with the Kumeyaay people. They were a tribe of Yuman-speaking hunter-gatherers. European explorers arrived in the 16th century. Juan Rodríguez Cabrillo toured the coast in 1542. Later, Sebastián Vizcaíno mapped the area in 1602. In 1829, Santiago Argüello established a large cattle ranch. He called it Rancho Tía Juana. The name likely comes from the Kumeyaay word 'Tihuan' or 'Tijuán.' This word may mean "by the sea." The city was officially incorporated on 11 July 1889.

The city's purpose changed after the Mexican–American War in 1848. Mexico lost Alta California to the United States. This division moved the international border between San Diego and Tijuana. Some Hispanic families moved south to stay in Mexico. This gave Tijuana a new role as a transit area. It was once a place for ranchers and prospectors. By the late 19th century, it became a popular destination for tourists. Many Californians visited for trade and entertainment.

During the 1920s, Tijuana became famous for its nightlife. This was partly due to Prohibition in the United States. Legal drinking and gambling attracted many visitors. The Avenida Revolución area became the center of tourism. This area featured casinos and was the birthplace of the Caesar salad.

In 1928, the Agua Caliente Touristic Complex opened. It included a hotel, spa, golf course, and a casino. Hollywood stars often visited this famous resort. However, gambling was banned by presidential decree in 1935. The complex eventually closed and later became a school.

In 1965, the Mexican government started the Border Industrialization Program. This program aimed to attract foreign investment. Many international companies opened maquiladoras, which are factories, in Tijuana. This helped the economy diversify beyond tourism. Manufacturing became a massive part of the city's identity. Today, Tijuana is a dominant manufacturing center for North America. It is even known as the medical device manufacturing capital of the continent.

Tijuana is a place of great movement and complexity. It is the most visited border city in the world. More than fifty million people cross the border into San Diego every year. The city has seen much growth in its skyline. Many new skyscrapers and high-rise buildings now stand there.

However, the city also faces serious challenges. It has dealt with high rates of violent crime. In August 2023, it had the second highest homicide rate in the world. These issues have sometimes affected international tourism. Despite this, Tijuana remains a "High Sufficiency" global city. It continues to be a major center for culture, business, and migration.