Ciudad Juarez, Mexico

From downtown El Paso, south to the Rio Grande. Access is available at several international bridges: Bridge of the Americas or Córdova Bridge and Zaragosa Bridge for vehicles; Santa Fe Bridge and Stanton Bridge for vehicles and pedestrians.

Just steps from El Paso lies Ciudad Juárez, the fourth largest city in Mexico. Named for Mexican president Benito Juárez, the city of 1.7 million people is intertwined with its sister city north of the border through family relationships and business.

The bond between Ciudad Juárez and El Paso was strengthened in the 1970s with the development of maquiladora or twin plants. Materials--everything from electronic goods to clothing-- are gathered in El Paso and transported into Mexico for assembly at the plants; completed goods are shipped back to the US.

A great deal of commerce also heads into the city of Juarez, especially to the two-story mercado located at Avenida 16 de Septiembre near downtown. Mexican handcrafts, silver jewelry, glassware, and leather goods are sold throughout the market.

Access into Juárez is available by car, on foot, or on trolleys operating from the El Paso Convention and Performing Arts Center by the El Paso-Juárez Trolley Company (915-544-0061 or 800-259-6284).

Guadalupe Mission. This adobe mission, constructed between 1658 and 1668, is especially noted for its carved ceiling and log beams made from palms shipped from Spain. Legend says that shadows form the mission point to the Lost Padre Mine in the Franklin Mountains where allegedly Spanish gold is located. Located in downtown Juarez off Avenida Diez y Seis de Septiembre south of the Stanton Bridge.

Parque Chamizal. Directly south of Bridge of the Americas. T&C. This city park is located directly south of Chamizal National Memorial in Texas. The park includes a visitors center and an anthropology museum with displays on Mexican history including replicas of some of Mexico's most famous historic sites such as Uxmal, Chichén Itzá and Teotihuacán.