Mexicali: The City That Captured the Sun (And My Sanity)

okay, so i just checked and it's...there right now, hope you like that kind of thing. 32.6633,-115.4678, basically a furnace. mexicali, capital of baja california, sits in a desert valley on the us-mexico border. it's hot. like, record-breaking hot. they call it 'the city that captured the sun' for a reason. i mean, 50°c in june? yeah, that's not a typo. summers are brutal, winters are mild but evenings get chilly. bring sunscreen, lots of it. the place is basically a giant, sun-baked farm. over 50 crops? onions, alfalfa, asparagus? yeah, they grow it all here, thanks to some serious irrigation from the all-american canal and a treaty with the us. water rights are a big deal, apparently. don't get me started on the humidity spikes in july and august. ugh. the valley's surrounded by the sierra de los cucapah mountains, which just trap the heat. it's one of the sunniest places on earth, like, 88% clear skies. no clouds to save you. the neighbors? calexico, california, is right across the border. same valley, same crops. fields stretch into the colorado river delta wetlands. if you get bored, those are just a short drive away. the city itself? not exactly a tourist hotspot. desert landscapes for off-roading, laguna mexico, some foothills. no real landmarks, just a gateway to the desert. the food? fresh produce, i guess. squash, asparagus. but no iconic dishes. no famous people from here either. the vibe? vibrant? nah. it's just...there. growing fast because of agriculture, industry, and border trade. the population? vague. just a big, hot, dusty place. things to be aware of: extreme heat, low rainfall, water dependency on that canal, and sun protection is non-negotiable. spring or fall are the only times to visit without wanting to melt. oh, and the map: [iframe src="https://maps.google.com/maps?q=32.6633,-115.4678&z=12&output=embed" width="100%" height="300">

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