From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Tecate.

Tecate is a small city in the Mexican state of Baja California, located at 32°34′30″N, 116°37′7″W 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. The resulting flavor of beer, salt and lime is one of the typical Mexican flavors. Many people drink it together with "Cacahuates Japoneses," a kind of peanuts and other types of snacks.

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 on a spur of the toll road linking Tijuana with Mexicali across the central Sierra.

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

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 80's and early 90's along one of the main drags. But cancelled because of a series of accidents and violence.

Tecate also have 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).

Many non-profit Organizations such as Habitat for Humanity and Club Dust go to Tecate annually and help build houses for the families that can't afford houses.

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

	Baja California Mexicali, capital
Municipalities	Ensenada | Mexicali | Tecate | Tijuana | Playas de Rosarito
Cities	Ensenada | Mexicali | Playas de Rosarito | Tecate | Tijuana

This Mexico location article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.