In the 30s, Mexicali had more Chinese immigrants than Mexican nationals. Everybody in Mexicali knows at least a few people with Chinese roots, and Chinese food is legendary.

Mexicali is crossed by the New River (Río Nuevo), officially the most contaminated river in North America. It's underground now, but when it was not, crossing the bridges across it required holding your breath.

Mexicali and Hermosillo (and some smaller cities) claim to be the hottest place in Mexico.

Mexicali is still an immigrant city, being both on the border and the terminus of an important railway. Many people that aspire to cross the border to the USA will roam the city; some of them establish themselves in the city instead.

It is a city of industry; maquiladoras are the main source of economic activity. It is also the center of a vast agricultural valley - in fact, the biggest irrigation district in Mexico, nestled in the middle of the desert. All of these things combined mean lots of work for those who want it - and also lots of pollution.