Tecate is a small city in the Mexican state
of Baja California, located at 32°34′30″N 116°37′7″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", where
played the local baseball team, the "Cerveceros".
The Tecate campus of the Universidad Autonoma de Baja
California houses a school of engineering (Mainly Industrial
Engineering).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).
Updated:
March 30, 2012 |
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