Ciudad Obregon travel guides

Ciudad Obregón (locally known as Obregón) is the second largest city in the northern Mexican state of Sonora and is situated 576 km south of the state's border with the U.S. state of Arizona at 27°29′38″N, 109°56′20″W. It is also the municipal seat of Cajeme municipality, located in the Yaqui Valley.

History

The city, previously named Cajeme, takes its name from Mexican Revolutionary Álvaro Obregón, a native of nearby Huatabampo, Sonora. Álvaro Obregón became president of Mexico after the Revolution and initiated an 'agricultural revolution' in the Yaqui Valley, introducing modern agricultural techniques and making this valley one of the most prosperous agricultural regions in the country. Renowned U.S. agronomist Dr. Norman Borlaug, the architect of the 'Green Revolution' worked here after successful developments in increasing the resistance of wheat. For his efforts he was later awarded the Nobel Prize.

Demographics

Ciudad Obregon is the second largest city in Sonora (after state capital Hermosillo) with a 2005 census population of 270,992 persons. Its municipality of Cajeme had a population of 375,800.

Government

The position of city mayor does not exist in Mexico. For more information about the government of the 'Municipio de Cajeme',

Education

The following institutions of higher education are based in Ciudad Obregón:

• Instituto Tecnologico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey (ITESM) - Campus Obregon
• Instituto Tecnológico de Sonora (ITSON) - Campus Obregon and Campus Náinari
• Instituto Tecnológico de Cajeme (Itesca)
• Universidad La Salle - Campus Obregon

Tourism

One of the main attractions is the Laguna Náinari (Náinari Lagoon) located on the west side of the city, along the lagoon there are located several puestos de cocos(coconut stands) that sell fresh unripe coconuts, one can drink the coconut milk and later eat the coconut flesh with different kind of salsas. Another attraction is the Museo del Yaqui a museum of the Yaqui culture. Ciudad Obregón also offers a wide variety of local specialities. Steak tacos are a regional specialty, usually offered in very informal food stands located around the city. Also highly sophisticated restaurants offer a wide variety of foods, servings include the famous Sonora steaks, fresh seafood, and many others. The most famous fresh seafood in this Mexican city is the caguamanta, a dish made mainly of manta ray and served as a soup or tacos.

Sports

The city of Ciudad Obregón has its own baseball team called 'Yaquis de Ciudad Obregón'.