Sonora

Sonora is a state in northwestern Mexico, bordering the Mexican states of Chihuahua to the east, Sinaloa to the south, and Baja California to the north-west. To the north Sonora borders the USA state of Arizona; to the west it borders the Gulf of California (Sea of Cortes). In 2000 Sonora had a population of about 2,216,900 people.

Sonora is important economically for its cattle production and mining, and popular among tourists for its fine beaches. Culturally it is important as a source of a style of music known as the Norteña[?].

Cities with airports that serve as points of entry include Hermosillo (the state capital) and Guaymas[?]. Smaller towns popular with tourists that have airports include Puerto Peñasco[?] (also known as "Rocky Point") and Alamos[?]. Also in Sonora are the city of Nogales, Sonora, across the border from Nogales, Arizona, and the town of Agua Prieta, across the border from Douglas, Arizona.

The Sonoran Desert[?] covers much of the state, as well as southern Arizona. This desert contains a variety of unique plants and animals, such as the Saguaro cactus.

The ISO 3166-2 is MX-SON.

See also: Sonora, California