Reynosa Travel Guide, Mexico

Reynosa, Mexico - Overview: A Beauty with a Spanish Touch

Founded on 14 March 1749, the city of Reynosa was named after ‘Reinosa’, a Spanish city. The Virgin of Guadalupe is the patron saint of both Reynosa and Mexico. The ‘Virgin of Guadalupe’ day is celebrated on the 12th of December, which continues for almost 15 days with parades.

History

At the begining, Reynosa was nothing more than a hub of ‘Nuevo Espana’. In due course of time, the region started extending to each and every direction. In the west, it touched Laredo, north to Nueces River, east to the river’s mouth and south to Monterrey. Cattle ranching was the first commerce practiced in the region. Naturally, the traditional outfit was the outfit made of leather. It continued to play a primary role in the city’s economy till irrigation brought sugarcane, cotton, corn and sorghum. The tourist zone, also known as the pink zone, was established in 1900. The railroad through the region was also constructed in the same period. Reynosa, the original train depot, still exists. It is very close to the market of the town. The Plaza De Toros, the bull fighting ring with a capacity of 5000 people, was built in 1927.

The international boundary came into existence in 1848 and at that time, most of the city’s cattle lands were taken away. For two years, the region was under the control of the U.S. army. However, the 4th of July was celebrated as a military parade in Hidalgo, the main street of the town.

Demographics

The current population of the city is around 1 million. The previous number of 500,000 did not include the suburbs built over a period of 20 years.

Industries in Reynosa

About one fourth of all petroleum products needed in Mexico are produced in Reynosa. The city has a large number of plants and factories. There are almost 150 plants located in 7 industrial parks. They employ around half million people, the largest in Reynosa. With medical and dental benefits, the wage of the factory workers comes to around 10 dollars per day. Officers are paid around 15 dollars per day. They also have six weeks of paid vacations.

Tortillas, beans and pastas play a major role in the diet. Fajita meat and Tamales are prepared on holidays and cabrito is a special meal. Most tortillas are corn tortillas. They are quite cheap and costs around 25 cents for a packet of 40.

Reynosa has a Spanish touch in its atmosphere. You’re sure to get lost in the flare that prevails in the city!