Editing Sonora (section)

===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>