El Paso stands on the U.S. and Mexico border flanked by the Franklin Mountains and the Rio Grande River. Originally inhabited by Native Americans, the site was claimed by the Spanish in the 1500s and named El Paso del Norte (North Pass). It was a stop along the El Camino Real, the King’s Highway, serving as a trade route north from Mexico. In 1821, Spanish control ceased and a Mexican flag flew over the area. Following the Mexican-American War, the land was ceded to the United States, essentially dividing the city in half. Cuidad Juarez was in Mexico and El Paso del Norte became El Paso, Texas. When the railroad came to town in the late 1800s, El Paso was notorious for brawls, brothels and bar rooms and gunslingers like Billy the Kid and John Wesley Harden.
Today, the city is a center for agriculture. Cotton, vegetables, fruits and pecans are principal crops. It is also a manufacturing city and one of the largest corporate call centers in the United States. Through the centuries, El Paso has retained it dual Mexican/American heritage. El Paso and Cuidad Juarez make up the largest metropolitan area on the U.S. and the Mexico border. The two towns are within walking distance.
El Paso International Airport offers non-stop service to 18 cities with about 136 flights per day. Ground transportation options include rental cars, taxis, shuttles and buses. Sun Metro bus service and rental cars are best for getting around El Paso. The Sun Metro Trolley offers scenic trolley routes around downtown El Paso and the El Paso Juarez “Border Jumper” trolley leaves hourly for roundtrips between the El Paso Convention Center and Juarez . (Important note: If you plan to cross the border into Mexico, bring proper proof of citizenship. Passports are now required for air travel to Mexico. As early as January, 2008, a passport may be required for travel by car or on foot into Mexico.)
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