Sonoyta

Infobox Settlement
official_name = Sonoyta
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settlement_type = Town
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map_caption = Sonoyta Map


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subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_name = MEX
subdivision_type1 = State
subdivision_name1 = Sonora
subdivision_type2 = Municipality
subdivision_name2 = Plutarco Elías Calles
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leader_title =Mayor
leader_name =Raul Martiniano Contreras García
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established_title = Founded
established_date = 1694 (San Marcelo de Sonoitac)
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population_as_of =2005
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population_total =10061
population_density_km2 =4.59
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population_blank1_title =Demonym
population_blank1 =Sonoitense
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timezone = MST
utc_offset = -7
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latd=31 |latm=51 |lats=41 |latNS=N
longd=112 |longm=51 |longs=16 |longEW=W
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elevation_m = 400
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postal_code_type = Postal code
postal_code = 83570 -
area_code =651
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website = [http://www.sonora.gob.mx/portal/Runscript.asp?p=ASPpg239.asp www.sonora.gob.mx/portal/]
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Sonoyta, Sonora is a town in the northern Mexican state of Sonora. It stands on the U.S.-Mexico border, facing Lukeville, Arizona, in the United States. It is the municipal seat of the municipality of Plutarco Elías Calles.

Demographics

According to the 2005 census, the city had 10,061 inhabitants while the surrounding municipality had 12,416 inhabitants. 5,142 inhabitants were male and 4,919 inhabitants were female. 76.1 percent of the population over five years of age are Roman Catholic, 13.0 percent are Evangelicals, and the remaining 10.9 percent belong to other religions.

History

The first inhabitants of this region were the Tohono O'odham, who lived in the regions of Pinacate, Quitovac, and Sonoyta. The arrival of Jesuit missionaries to this zone changed their way of life. Therefore, compact communities were formed mainly on the banks of lakes and of the river. At the foothills of a spot known as Loma Alta, sprouted water from a fountain, called by the naturals Ṣon Oidag, O'odham for "base of the water". A missionary community was founded in Sonoyta in 1694. It was called San Marcelo de Sonoyta.

In 1836 they discovered adjoining mines. Sonoyta was dependent to the municipality of the District of Altar during periods of the 19th century. After the Revolution it belonged to the municipality of Caborca, Sonora through the Law No. 136 of July 9, 1952. Then it separated from the municipality of Caborca and belonged to the municipality of Puerto Peñasco, Sonora until August 1989, when a new municipality was created and called General Plutarco Elías Calles, as a social, political, and historic need.

For a long time the border crossing was very busy with imports/exports, but after a internal change to customs laws in Mexico, import/export business dwindled. This led to heavy migration to other cities during the late 1980's to mid 1990's.

Education

The Municipality has 10 preschools, 15 elementary schools, 5 junior high and high schools, 2 medium professional and a 1 accredited college.

Traffic

Sonoyta is situated at an important crossroads. Federal highway 2 Mexicali-Caborca crosses here. A road leading toward Lukeville, Arizona (U.S.-Mexico border of Sonoyta) crosses the city. This road also travels to Puerto Peñasco, Sonora.

Present Day

Sonoyta is well known as an immigrant crossing-point to the United States. Many migrants use the town to make final preparations for a treacherous trek through the Sonoran desert.Fact|date=March 2008 On this long desert march, migrants often face death, especially during the summer season.

Conversely, the town is used as a crossover point for American tourists headed to Puerto Peñasco, Sonora or other cities in Northern Mexico. Puerto Peñasco, a popular beach city, is located about 60 miles (100 km) southwest on Highway 8.

Sonoyta features many urban features, as well as a downtown with many small stores and markets. Services of major companies, such as Pemex and Banamex, are available. The town has an airport for small planes/jets, and major airports are located in Mexicali, Baja California; Hermosillo, Sonora; Yuma, Arizona; Phoenix, Arizona; and Tucson, Arizona, all within five hours or less by car. An international airport in Puerto Peñasco is scheduled to open in 2008.

The border between Sonoyta and Lukeville, Arizona, is open from 6AM until midnight MST.

References

* [http://www.sonoyta.gob.mx/]
* [http://www.e-local.gob.mx/wb2/ELOCAL/EMM_sonora www.e-local.gob.mx]
* [http://www.inegi.gob.mx/est/contenidos/espanol/sistemas/conteo2005/localidad/iter/ www.inegi.gob.mx]
* [http://www.sonora.gob.mx/portal/Runscript.asp?p=ASPpg239.asp www.sonora.gob.mx]
* [http://www.e-local.gob.mx/wb2/ELOCAL/EMM_sonora www.e-local.gob.mx]

External links

*Aerial Photos [http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&q=lukeville,+az&ie=UTF8&ll=31.868884,-112.835426&spn=0.035134,0.079823&t=k&z=14&om=1 Google Maps] ----