Editing Sonora (section)

==Economy==

===General profile===
[[File:Llavedeldesierto.jpg|thumb|Interchange in Santa Ana near the border with trucks in view]]
Despite a rough terrain and a harsh climate, Sonora, like the rest of northern Mexico, is rich in mineral resources. This has led to a history of self-reliance, and many see themselves as the heirs to a pioneering tradition.<ref name="malat27">{{cite book |editor1-first= Randy |editor1-last= Malat |others= Szerlip, Barbara (Editor). |title= Passport Mexico: Your Pocket Guide to Mexican Business, Customs and Etiquette |year= 2008 |publisher= World Trade Press |location= Petaluma, CA, USA |isbn= 978-1-885073-91-4 |page= [https://archive.org/details/passportmexicoyo0000mala/page/27 27] |url= https://archive.org/details/passportmexicoyo0000mala/page/27 |edition= 3rd }}</ref> A large part of this is linked to the vaquero or cowboy tradition, as much of the state's economy has traditionally been linked to livestock.<ref name="rincones2728">Gonzalez, pp. 27–28</ref> Sonorans and other ''norteños'' (northerners) have a reputation for being hard-working and frugal, and being more individualistic and straightforward than other Mexicans.<ref name="malat27"/> Although most people in the state are employed in industry and tourism, the trappings of the cowboy, jeans, cowboy hats and pickup trucks, are still very popular.<ref name="rincones2728"/>

In 2000, the [[gross domestic product]] (GDP) of the state was 40,457 million pesos, accounting for 2.74% of the country's total.<ref name="actecon">{{cite web |url=http://www.e-local.gob.mx/wb2/ELOCAL/EMM_sonora |title=Actividad Económica |year=2010 |work=Enciclopedia de Los Municipios y Delegaciones de México Estado de Sonora |publisher=Instituto para el Federalismo y el Desarrollo Municipal |location=Mexico |language=es |trans-title=Economic activity |access-date=February 15, 2011 |archive-date=December 1, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081201232501/http://www.e-local.gob.mx/wb2/ELOCAL/EMM_sonora }}</ref> In 2008, [[Moody's|Moody's Investor's Service]] gave the state an A1.mx (Mexico) and Ba1 (global) ratings, based mostly on its strong economic base. The state has a highly skilled labor force, and strong ties to the United States economy, mostly due to its shared border with Arizona. This link affects various sectors of the state's economy. Sonora is one of Mexico's wealthier states with the GDP per capita about 15% higher than average, and GDP growth generally outpaces the rest of the country, with a growth of 8.4% in 2006 as compared to the national average of 4.8%.<ref name="moodys">{{Cite report |title= Moody's assigns a1.mx rating to the state of sonora |author=Info – Prod Research (Middle East) |date= May 27, 2008 |publisher= Ramat-Gan}}
</ref> The economic success of the state, especially its industrial and agricultural sectors, as well as the border, have attracted large numbers of migrants to the state, from the central and southern parts of Mexico.<ref name="cartron52">Cartron, p. 52</ref>

===Agriculture and livestock===
Agriculture is the most important economic activity in the state, mostly with the production of grains. The major agricultural regions include the Yaqui Valley, the Mayo Valley, the Guaymas Valley, the coast near Hermosillo, the Caborca coast and the San Luis Río Colorado Valley. These areas permit for large scale irrigation to produce large quantities of crops such as wheat, potatoes, watermelons, cotton, corn, melons, [[sorghum]], [[chickpea]]s, grapes, [[alfalfa]], oranges and more. In 2002, agricultural production included {{Convert|1,533,310|t|lb}} of wheat, {{Convert|172,298|t|lb}} of potatoes, {{Convert|297,345|t|lb}} of wine grapes (both red and white), {{Convert|231,022|t|lb}} of alfalfa, {{Convert|177,430|t|lb}} of oranges and {{Convert|155,192|t|lb}} of watermelon.<ref name="actecon"/><ref name="bebidasgob">{{cite web |url=http://www.sonoraturismo.gob.mx/conoce-sonora/cocina-regional-en-sonora/bebidas/ |title=Bebidas |publisher=Government of Sonora |location=Sonora Mexico |language=es |trans-title=Drinks |access-date=February 15, 2011 |archive-date=February 27, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110227040033/http://www.sonoraturismo.gob.mx/conoce-sonora/cocina-regional-en-sonora/bebidas/ }}</ref> Sonora and Baja California Norte are Mexico's two largest wheat-producing states,<ref name="randall350">{{cite book |editor1-first= Laura |editor1-last= Randall |title= Changing Structure of Mexico: Political, Social, and Economic Prospects |year=2006 |publisher= M.E. Sharpe, Inc. |location= Armonk, NY, USA |isbn= 978-0-7656-1405-6 |page=350}}</ref> with Sonora alone producing 40% of Mexico's wheat.<ref name="cartron59">Cartron, p. 59</ref>

There is some small-scale farming done in the state, especially in the highland areas, where farmers grow corn and other staples mostly for self-consumption; this unirrigated agriculture is highly dependent on the late-summer rainy season, as failure will result from the lack of rain.<ref name="yetman12"/> However, most of the agriculture continues to shift away from small farms producing for local markets to largescale commercial agro-industry.<ref name="cartron59"/> Many of the country's largest [[agribusiness]] farms are located in Sonora.<ref name="malat27" /> This agricultural production is concentrated in the lowlands areas, with much of the production exported to the United States. This includes non-traditional crops such as fruits, nuts and winter vegetables such as tomatoes, especially since [[NAFTA]].<ref name="cartron59"/>

Irrigation is essential for reliable agriculture on the coastal lowlands of the state,<ref name="yetman7">Yetman, p. 7</ref> and large-scale irrigation infrastruction is needed for large-scale production. After the [[Mexican Revolution]], the federal government took control of Sonora's irrigation infrastructure and after [[World War II]], began extensive dam and reservoir construction. From the 1940s to the 1970s, advanced in agricultural techniques were pioneered by the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) based in [[Ciudad Obregón]]. This combined new varieties of wheat, with irrigation, fertilizers and pesticides to greatly increase production. Mexico went from a wheat importer in the 1940s to a wheat exporter in the 1960s.<ref name="cartron59"/>

However, such intensive agriculture in such an arid area has had a significant negative impact on water supplies. Eighty-eight percent of all water taken from above and below the surface is used for agriculture. One third of [[aquifer]]s are overdrafted, especially in [[Caborca]], [[Guaymas]], and the coast near [[Hermosillo]].<ref name="randall347">{{cite book |editor1-first= Laura |editor1-last= Randall |title= Changing Structure of Mexico: Political, Social, and Economic Prospects |year=2006 |publisher= M.E. Sharpe, Inc. |location= Armonk, NY, USA |isbn= 978-0-7656-1405-6 |page=347}}</ref> There have been water disputes in the state, notably between officials from Hermosillo and the relatively water-rich Ciudad Obregón.<ref name="yetman78">Yetman, pp. 7–8</ref> The overpumping has drastically lowered water tables and has increased [[soil salinity]] in many areas. In some areas, the tables have dropped by as much as one or two meters per year, making fresh water increasingly unavailable and forcing the abandonment of croplands. For this reason, the area under cultivation dropped by more than 24% during the last quarter of the 20th century.<ref name="cartron59"/>

The state still maintains its traditional livestock industry, especially in beef cattle, which has a national reputation for quality. In 2001, the state produced 1,477,686 heads of cattle, 1,229,297 pigs, 38,933 sheep, 33,033 goats, 83,260 horses and 11,988,552 heads of domestic fowl.<ref name="actecon"/> The availability of relatively inexpensive semiarid land, along with proximity to United States markets, concentrates livestock production in Sonora and other northern states.<ref name="cartron60">Cartron, p. 60</ref>

===Fishing===
Sonora is a major producer of seafood in Mexico with a developed fishing infrastructure.<ref name="actecon"/> The Gulf of California contains a large quantity of fish and shellfish, but major fishing did not begin in Sonora and neighboring [[Sinaloa]] until the mid 20th century. Today, some of Mexico's largest commercial fisheries are in the state.<ref name="cartron67">Cartron, p. 67</ref> Sonora is one of Mexico's leading fish producing states, with 70% of Mexico's total coming from the Pacific coast, including the Gulf of California.<ref name="walden21">{{cite book |title= Mexico Business Intelligence Report (2005/February) |author= Walden Publishing Ltd |year=2005 |publisher= World of Information |location= Cambridge, England |page=21}}</ref>

Much of the catch is shrimp and [[sardines]], with about three quarters exported to the United States.<ref name="actecon"/><ref name="cartron67"/> In 2002, the catch totaled 456,805 tons of seafood with a value of about 2,031 million pesos. In addition to what is caught at sea, there is active fish farming which raises mostly oysters and shrimp.<ref name="actecon"/> Much of the commercial and sports fishing is essentially unregulated and has had a very pronounced impact on the Gulf of California, with commercially important species such as shrimp, [[grouper]]s, [[Lutjanidae|snappers]], [[corvine (fish)|corvinas]], [[California yellowtail|yellowtail]], [[billfish]]es have been harvested well above sustainability. Two species that have been particularly hard hit are sharks and [[manta ray]]s. In addition, shrimp trawling catches a large amount of non-target species, which are discarded, and have destroyed large areas of the Gulf's seafloor. All this has led to rapidly declining harvests.<ref name="cartron67"/>

===Industry and mining===
[[File:Cananea mine.jpg|thumb|Aerial view of mines in Cananea]]
Most of the industry of the state is related to agriculture and fishing, in food processing and packing.<ref name="actecon"/> In the 1980s, the state gained a large number of industrial plants called "[[maquiladora]]s", mostly situated along the border and in the capital of [[Hermosillo]].<ref name="actecon"/> These are assembly plants run by mostly United States companies, which have certain duty and tax breaks. By the end of the 20th century, these enterprises had a large influence on the expansion and modernization of the border area, including Sonora. They not only introduced new sources of employment, but their United States management styles have also had influence on business in the state and the rest of the north. However, maquiladoras peaked in 2001, and now many United States companies are moving production facilities to China. The number of maquiladoras has declined, but the value of their output has increased as those that remain shift to higher value-added goods and automation. In addition, many of the plants abandoned by United States companies have been taken over by Mexican firms. Despite the decline of maquiladoras, exports from them have risen 40%.<ref name="malat28">{{cite book |editor1-first= Randy |editor1-last= Malat |others= Szerlip, Barbara (Editor). |title= Passport Mexico: Your Pocket Guide to Mexican Business, Customs and Etiquette |year= 2008 |publisher= World Trade Press |location= Petaluma, CA, USA |isbn= 978-1-885073-91-4 |page= [https://archive.org/details/passportmexicoyo0000mala/page/28 28] |url= https://archive.org/details/passportmexicoyo0000mala/page/28 |edition= 3rd }}</ref>

In addition to livestock, mining is another traditional element of Sonora's economy, beginning with a major find near the city of [[Álamos]]. While the silver of that area has mostly been depleted, Sonora still plays a large part in Mexico's standing as one of the top fifteen producers of minerals in the world, leading in silver, [[celestite]] and [[bismuth]]. Sonora is the leading producer of gold, copper, [[graphite]], [[molybdenum]], and [[wollastonite]]. There are still deposits of silver in the Sierra Madre Occidental. Sonora also has one of the largest coal reserves in the country.<ref name="cartron56">Cartron, p. 56</ref> The state has the largest mining surface in Mexico,<ref name="cartron56"/> and three of the country's largest mines: La Caridad, Cananea and Mineria María. It is also home to North America's oldest copper mine, located in Cananea.<ref name="cartron57">Cartron, p. 57</ref> [[Grupo México]], with one of its principal mining operations in Cananea, is the world's third-largest copper producer.<ref name="avoidstrike">{{cite news |title= Grupo Mexico wants to avoid strike at its Cananea mine with wage offer |newspaper= NoticiasFinancieras |date=August 11, 2004 |page=1}}</ref> In 2002, mines produced 6,634.5 kilograms of gold, 153,834 kilograms of silver, five tons of lead, 267,171 tons of copper, three tons of [[zinc]], 18,961 tons of iron, 7,176 tons [[barium sulphate]]. However, annual production is heavily dependent on world market prices.<ref name="actecon"/> A large [[lithium]] open pit mine is under construction at La Ventana.<ref>{{cite web |title=Top ten biggest lithium mines in the world based on reserves |url=https://www.mining-technology.com/features/top-ten-biggest-lithium-mines/ |website=Mining Technology {{!}} Mining News and Views Updated Daily |date=30 August 2019}}</ref>

Mexico's mining industry was mostly dominated by the Spaniards during the colonial period, and then by foreign enterprises after [[Mexican War of Independence|Independence]]. In the 1960s and 1970s, the government forced out most foreign interests in Mexican mining, beginning with the increasing restriction of ownership in Mexican mining companies.<ref name="cartron56"/> These restrictions were relaxed starting in 1992, with the only restriction that the operating company be Mexican. Within three years of the change, more than seventy foreign companies, mostly United States and Canadian enterprises, opened offices in Hermosillo.<ref name="cartron57"/>

Major mining operations have had severe environmental impact, especially in the areas surrounding it, with Cananea as the primary example. Mining has been functioning here for over a century, with mining and smelter wastes polluting the [[San Pedro River (Arizona)|San Pedro]] and [[Sonora River]]s near the mine, threatening both watersheds. Mining operations also destroy nearby forests due to the demand for building materials and fuel. Few old trees stand near the city of [[Cananea]] and the town of [[San Javier, Sonora|San Javier]] in central Sonora.<ref name="cartron57"/>

===Tourism===
Business and leisure visitors to the state primarily come from Mexico (over 60%), with the majority of foreign visitors coming from the United States, especially the states of Arizona, California and New Mexico. The four most important destinations in the state for leisure and business travelers include [[Nogales, Sonora|Nogales]], [[Hermosillo]], [[Guaymas]] and [[Puerto Peñasco]], with beach destinations preferred by most leisure travelers. One advantage that Sonora has is its proximity to the United States, from which come most of the world's travelers. In second place are tourists from Canada, many of whom visit as part of cruises. United States tourists mostly visit Puerto Peñasco, [[San Carlos Nuevo Guaymas|San Carlos]] and Navajoa and prefer areas they consider friendly, with no "anti-U.S." sentiment. Leisure visitors from the United States tend to be between 40 and 65 years of age, married or in a relationship, educated at the university level or higher, with about thirty days of vacation time, and they primarily research travel options on the Internet. Most visit to relax and experience another culture. Most domestic visitors also use the Internet, with about half having a university education or higher and about half are married or with a partner. Most domestic visitors are on vacation with their families. The busiest domestic travel times are [[Holy Week]], summer and Christmas, with the overall busiest months being January, April, July, August and December.<ref name="sustenible">{{Cite report |title=Plan Estratégico de Desarrollo Turístico Sustenible del Estado de Sonora |url=http://www.sonoraturismo.gob.mx/wp-content/uploads/Plan-Estrategico-de-Desarrollo-Turistico-Sustentable-del-Estado-de-Sonora.pdf |author=Gobierno del Estado de Sonora, Investigación y Desarrollo de Contenidos and Instituto Tecnológico de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey |publisher=2010–2015 |access-date=February 15, 2011 |date= |archive-date=January 25, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110125230655/http://www.sonoraturismo.gob.mx/wp-content/uploads/Plan-Estrategico-de-Desarrollo-Turistico-Sustentable-del-Estado-de-Sonora.pdf }}</ref>

In 2009, the state received more than seven million visitors, who spent more than 20 billion pesos to the economy. Most visitors are domestic and spend an average of 742 pesos. Foreign visitors spend an average of 1,105 pesos. Most stay on average 3.3 nights. Just over half of tourists in the state arrive to their destinations by private automobile, followed by airplane and commercial bus.<ref name="sustenible"/>

During the 2000s, Sonora has increased its tourism infrastructure. In the last half of the 2000s, Sonora has increased its network of highways from {{Convert|3,600|km|mi}} to {{Convert|4,500|km|mi}}, accounting for 6.7% of all highways in Mexico. It ranks second in four-lane highways, surpassed only by Chihuahua. From 2003 to 2009 the number of hotels in the state has increased from 321 to 410 and the number of rooms from 13,226 to 15,806, over 20%. Most of these hotels and rooms are in Hermosillo (57 hotels/3232 rooms) followed by Puerto Peñasco (40/3158), [[Ciudad Obregón]] (41/1671), Guaymas/San Carlos (28/1590), Nogales (24/1185), Navojoa (15/637) and [[Magdalena de Kino]] (10/284).<ref name="sustenible"/> The cities of Hermosillo, Ciudad Obregón, Guaymas, Nogales, [[San Luis Río Colorado]], Puerto Peñasco, [[Bahía Kino]] and [[Álamos]] all have 5-star hotels.<ref name="actecon"/> There are 2,577 restaurants in the state with 1288 in Hermosillo.<ref name="sustenible"/>

Hotel occupation went from 45% in 2003 to 57.7% in 2006 but dropped to 36% in 2009. The state's tourism suffered in 2008 and 2009, mostly due to the economic downturn and the [[H1N1]] "swine flu" influenza crisis, which brought hotel occupancy rates down about 30%.<ref name="sustenible"/>

Sonora's major tourist attraction is its beaches, especially San Carlos, Puerto Peñasco, Bahía Kino and the Gulf of Santa Clara in San Luis Río Colorado.<ref name="actecon"/> San Carlos has a large variety of sea life off its shores, making it popular for sports fishing and scuba diving. One of its main attractions is the Playa de los Algodones, called such because its sand dunes look like cotton balls. On one of hills behind it, there is a lookout point which allows for views of the area. A number of Yaquis, Seris and Guaimas on and around the Tetakawi Hill, making a living from fishing. Puerto Peñasco has recently experienced large-scale development along its {{Convert|110|km|mi}} of beaches, which have calm seas. It is located in the extreme northwest of the state. Some of the available activities include jet skiing, boating, sailing, sports fishing, scuba diving and snorkeling. It is located near [[Pinacate y Gran Desierto de Altar Biosphere Reserve|El Pinacate biosphere reserve]]. There is also an aquarium called the [[Acuario de Cer-Mar]], which is a research center open to the public. The aquarium has a number of species such as marine turtles, octopuses, [[seahorse]]s and many varieties of fish. Bahía Kino is named after the Jesuit missionary, who visited the area in the 17th century. In the 1930s, a group of fishermen established a village in what is now known as Kino Viejo. This bay's beaches have white sand, with warm calm waters off of them. For this reason, Kino Viejo calls itself ''la perla del Mar de Cortés'' (the pearl of the Gulf of California). Available activities include horseback riding, scuba diving and sports fishing. The [[Isla Tiburón]] is {{Convert|28|km|mi}} from Bahia Kino in the Gulf of California. It is the largest island of Mexico, measuring {{Convert|50|by|20|km|mi}}. It has been declared an ecological reserve to protect its flora and fauna, such as the wild rams and deer that live here.<ref name="79playas"/>
[[File:Cocospera2-1-.jpg|thumb|Mission at Cocóspera founded by Padre Kino]]

To enhance tourism in areas away from the primary beaches, the state of Sonora has set up several tourist routes for promotion as well as gained "[[Pueblo Mágico]]" status for one of its smaller cities. The Ruta de las Missiones ("Missions Route") covers the principle stops of [[Jesuit]] missionary [[Eusebio Kino]], as the worked to establish the many religious institutions which are part of the state's identity. These include the churches and missions in [[Caborca]], [[Pitiquito]], [[Oquitoa]], [[Átil]], [[Tubutama]], [[Imuris]], [[Cucurpe]] and [[Magdalena de Kino|Magdalena]]. In Magdalena, Father Kino remains are at the Padre Kino mausoleum.<ref name="rutamis">{{cite web |url=http://www.sonoraturismo.gob.mx/destinos/rutas/ruta-de-las-misiones/ |title=Ruta de las Misiones |publisher=Government of Sonora |location=Sonora Mexico |language=es |trans-title=Mission Route |access-date=February 15, 2011 |archive-date=February 4, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110204213750/http://www.sonoraturismo.gob.mx/destinos/rutas/ruta-de-las-misiones/ }}</ref> The Ruta del Río (River Route) follows a seriers of villages and towns along the [[Sonora River]]. The state recommends this route in the fall when the chili pepper and peanut harvest occurs. The route includes the settlements of [[Ures]], [[Baviácora]], [[Aconchi]], [[San Felipe de Jesús]], [[Huépac]], [[Banámichi]], [[Arizpe]], [[Bacoachi]] and [[Cananea]].<ref name="rutario">{{cite web |url=http://www.sonoraturismo.gob.mx/destinos/rutas/ruta-rio-sonora/ |title=Ruta Río Sonora |publisher=Government of Sonora |location=Sonora Mexico |language=es |trans-title=Sonora River Route |access-date=February 15, 2011 |archive-date=February 19, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110219111031/http://www.sonoraturismo.gob.mx/destinos/rutas/ruta-rio-sonora/ }}</ref> The Ruta de la Sierra Alta ("High Mountain Route") winds its way through the highlands of the Sierra Madre Occidental to see the significant peaks and towns of the area. Destinations include the towns [[Moctezuma, Sonora|Moctezuma]], [[Villa Hidalgo, Sonora|Villa Hidalgo]], [[Huásabas]], [[Granados, Sonora|Granados]], [[Huachinera]], [[Bavispe]], [[Nácori Chico]], [[Fronteras, Sonora|Fronteras]], [[Nacozari]] and [[Cumpas]], which have other attractions such as old [[hacienda]]s, streams, forests and other forms of nature.<ref name="sierraalta">{{cite web |url=http://www.sonoraturismo.gob.mx/destinos/rutas/ruta-sierra-alta/ |title=Ruta Sierra Alta |publisher=Government of Sonora |location=Sonora Mexico |language=es |trans-title=Sierra Alta Route |access-date=February 15, 2011 |archive-date=February 4, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110204213800/http://www.sonoraturismo.gob.mx/destinos/rutas/ruta-sierra-alta/ }}</ref>

[[File:Plaza de Alamos, Son.jpg|thumb|Main plaza in Álamos]]
The Ruta Sierra Mar ("Mountain Sea Route") is located in the south of the state among the towns around [[Álamos]], [[Navojoa]] and [[Huatabampo]], which contain a large number of colonial-era constructions. Attractions include the above-mentioned cities along with the Adolfo Ruiz Cortínez, Tetajiosa and El Venadito dams and the town of [[Etchojoa]], which are surrounded by areas of desert and areas with tropical vegetation, around the [[Mayo River (Mexico)|Mayo River]]. The route begins in the mountains of Álamos and ends at the beaches of Huatabampo. Travelers can engage in a number of activities such as hunting, birdwatching, boating, kayaking and photography.<ref name="sierramar">{{cite web |url=http://www.sonoraturismo.gob.mx/destinos/rutas/ruta-sierra-mar/ |title=Ruta Sierra Mar |publisher=Government of Sonora |location=Sonora Mexico |language=es |trans-title=Mountain Sea Route |access-date=February 15, 2011 |archive-date=February 4, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110204213805/http://www.sonoraturismo.gob.mx/destinos/rutas/ruta-sierra-mar/ }}</ref> The Ruta Yécora (Yécora Route) leaves from the capital of [[Hermosillo]] and makes its way to the town of [[Yécora, Sonora|Yécora]], which is one of the highest communities in the mountains of the state. The Yécora area is known for its hunting and the area contains species that can only be found in this part of the state. From Hermosillo to Yécora, there are {{Convert|280|km|mi}} of highway, which pass through a number of towns and natural vistas. These include La Colorado mine, San José de Pima on the [[Mátape River]], Tecoripa, San Javier which is surrounded by various hills, Tónichi, Ónavas, Tepoca, San Nicolás and the Mesa de Campanero forest.<ref name="rutayecora">{{cite web |url=http://www.sonoraturismo.gob.mx/destinos/rutas/ruta-yecora/ |title=Ruta Yécora |publisher=Government of Sonora |location=Sonora Mexico |language=es |trans-title=Yécora Route |access-date=February 15, 2011 |archive-date=February 7, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110207062121/http://www.sonoraturismo.gob.mx/destinos/rutas/ruta-yecora/ }}</ref>

Sonora has one Pueblo Mágico, which is Álamos, which was called Ostimuri by the native population. This town was founded in 1683, when a mineral deposit by the name of La Europea was discovered. The silver found here made it one of the richest towns in the region. The mines gave out in the 19th century and the town declined. Today, many of the old mansions and other buildings have been restored.<ref name="puebmag">{{cite periodical |date=February 2008 |title=Alamos:La ciudad de los portales |trans-title=Alamos:the city of portals |periodical=Mexico Desconocido: Pueblos Mágicpos |pages=14–15 |location=Mexico City |publisher= Impresiones Aereas SA de CV |issn=1870-9419 |language=es}}</ref>
[[File:Mountainous coast north of Puerto Libertad, Mexico.jpg|thumb|Coastal Mountain View Just North of Puerto Libertad, Mexico]]
There are also a number of natural reserve areas that are open to visitors and promoted for tourism. These include El Pinacate in the Altar Desert and the Colorado Delta and Upper Gulf of California biosphere reserve. Both of these are near the major resort area of Puerto Peñasco and are some of the driest areas of Mexico.<ref name="actecon"/><ref name="rincones5760">Gonzalez, pp. 57–60</ref>

===The border===
Much of the state's economic activity is related to its border with the United States state of Arizona. People from both countries regularly cross the border to shop.<ref name="griffith"/> The border crossings are essential to many of the communities that straddle the border, not only in the main crossings in [[Nogales, Sonora|Nogales]] and [[Agua Prieta]], but also in the smaller ones such as [[Naco, Sonora|Naco]].<ref name="eller"/> On each side of the border, there is a fifteen km strip, which is designated as a commercial trade zone, where both Mexicans and United States citizens can enter with limited visa requirements.<ref name="freetrade">{{cite news |title= Arizona and Sonora—Where Free Trade Already Works |first=Fife |last= Symington |newspaper=. Wall Street Journal|date=May 20, 1991 |page=A18}}</ref> Many Arizonans travel and cross one of the crossings to eat and shop, mostly to experience something different from doing the same at home. Most spend only the day. The most popular of these border crossings is Nogales, which is just over an hour south from [[Tucson]] by highway. The main shopping street in Nogales is Avenida Obregón, which is crowded with pharmacies with lower prices than in the United States, stores selling knock offs of designer names such as [[Louis Vuitton]], [[Cuban cigar]]s, [[tequila]], cheaper cigarettes and Mexican handcrafts, including some of the best work from artisans from [[Puebla]], [[Guadalajara, Mexico|Guadalajara]], [[Michoacán]] and [[Oaxaca]]. Although these stores cater mostly to Americans crossing the border, it is still possible to negotiate prices. Many of these communities on the Mexican side also have bars close to the port of entry, taking advantage of Mexico's lower drinking age of 18.<ref name="borderline">{{cite news |title= A borderline experience with Nogales |first=Alan |last=Solomon |newspaper=McClatchy – Tribune Business News |location=Washington, DC |date=March 16, 2008 |page= 1}}</ref>

The more important aspect of the border crossing is the commercial shipping that goes through, especially the Nogales port. There are two crossings at Nogales, one which connects the downtowns of the two cities, mostly for non-commercial traffic, and the Mariposa Port of Entry outside of the twin cities for trucks and commercial traffic.<ref name="clogged">{{cite news |title= Mexico-U.S. border clogged with shipments of fresh produce |first=Thomas |last=Stauffer |newspaper= Knight Ridder Tribune Business News |date=January 11, 2006 |page=1}}</ref> [[NAFTA]] increased cross border shipping. Counting traffic going both north and south, the Nogales port handles about three-quarters of all border crossing between Sonora and Arizona. Nogales is a major port of entry for Mexican agricultural products heading to the United States and Canada.<ref name="redesigning">{{cite news |title= Arizona Studies Options for Redesigning Mariposa Port of Entry in Nogales |first=Paola |last=Banchero |newspaper= Knight Ridder Tribune Business News |date=March 1, 2002 |page=1}}</ref> In 2005, 268,163 commercial trucks moved through the port, up from 242,435 in 2004,<ref name="clogged"/> handling about 7.6% of all United States-Mexico truck traffic. Most of the merchandise that passes through Sonora on its way to the United States winds up in western states such as Arizona, [[Utah]], [[Nevada]], [[Idaho]] and [[Montana]], as well as into Canada.<ref name="redesigning"/>

The volume of traffic, along with new security measures which have been put into place since 2001, create traffic jams of trucks and other vehicles, especially during the winter when demand for products grown in Mexico's warm climates peaks. These jams can result in lines about eight miles long. For trucks moving into Sonora and south, inspection stations at [[Vícam]] and near the Sinaloa border also cause delays. Delays in shipping cause more produce to rot before it can get to the consumer.<ref name="clogged"/>

The last reason for the importance of the border is the [[maquiladora]] industries, which have made areas such as Nogales grow significantly.<ref name="freetrade"/> Many of Sonora's incoming migrants from other parts of Mexico come to work at these factories.<ref name="cartron52"/>

===Handcrafts===
[[File:MAPElNorte026.JPG|thumb|Corita basket on display at the {{Lang|es|[[Museo de Arte Popular]]|italic=no}} ]]
There are a number of different crafts made in the state, which are often distinguished by the use of certain materials and of certain designs. The best known of these is the [[Mexican ironwood carvings|carving of figures from ironwood (''palo fierro'' in Spanish)]], which is a very dense, almost black wood that sinks in water. This wood was often used in braziers in the past because it would burn for a very long time. This carving is the specialty of the [[Yaqui people|Yaquis]] and the [[Seri people|Seris]]. Before it can be carved, this wood must be dried thoroughly, a process that can take up to five years. If this is not done, the wood takes on an [[ochre]] color, rather than its characteristic shiny near black. Objects made from this wood are almost always decorative in nature in a wide variety of shapes such as sahuaro and other cacti, eagles, turtles, dolphins and other flora and fauna of the state, along with crosses. The last is popular among indigenous groups as it is believed that such guard against the envy of others and other ills. Objects made of this wood are very much in demand on the international market, but indigenous craftsmen cannot compete with factory-made pieces.<ref name="rincones4849">Gonzalez, pp. 48–49</ref>

The higher elevations of the state and riverbanks contain large quantities of trees. [[Aconchi]] is one of the villages of the state with a well-established tradition of making furniture, with almost forty workshops. Many of these are in rustic or colonial style. In [[Arizpe]] and [[Álamos]], they specialize in a type of chair made by bending and combining long flexible branches of willow and "guásima" ([[Guazuma ulmifolia]]) In the town of [[Tubutama]], they make clocks of [[mesquite]] wood.<ref name="rincones49">Gonzalez, p. 49</ref>
[[Basketmaking]] is still widely practiced in the state, with hand-made wares available in local markets such as in [[Bahía Kino]], [[Punta Chueca]] and [[El Desemboque]]. Those made near the ocean often have marine designs. Baskets made of reeds are made in [[Ures]] along with hats. In Aconchi, palm fronds are used to make hats and baskets called guaris, used for food storage. In various locations, a basket variety called "[[corita (basket)|caritas]]" are made in a globe shape and have a lid. This is a specialty of the Seris. These are typically made by women, with small baskets taking a month to make. Larger ones can take up to two years. Most coritas are bought by foreigners as the work needed to create them makes them expensive.<ref name="rincones49"/>

Leather goods such as belts, shoes, jackets, wallets and more in made in locations such as [[Nácori Chico]], [[Moctezuma, Sonora|Moctezuma]], [[Pitiquito]], [[Bacoachi]], [[Banámichi]], [[Huásbas]], [[Arivechi]] and [[Ures]]. This craft is a result of the state's history of cattle ranching. The mining industry gave rise to the working of metals, especially copper in [[Cananea]]. Items include pots, pans, plates and decorative items. [[Álamos]] is known for items made in brass and wrought iron.<ref name="rincones50">Gonzalez, p. 50</ref>
Jewelry such as necklaces, bracelets and earrings are often made using materials from the sea such as various types of shells and spines from marine animals. This is a specialty in [[Puerto Peñasco]] and of the Seris. The latter also use materials such as the tails of [[rattlesnake]]s and animal teeth. Some of the Seris' best work is located in a museum in Bahia Kino. There is also jewelry, especially necklaces made with various seeds, small twigs and river stones. In [[Oquitoa]], they made ceremonial crowns of glass in various colors. These are most often used to decorate the tombs of loved ones on [[Day of the Dead]]. The Yaquis make unique belts using the paws of deer as well as elaborate masks for ceremonies. However, these people generally do not commercialize their wares, with the exception of cloth dolls in local markets.<ref name="rincones">Gonzalez, pp. 50–51</ref>