Nogales, Arizona, and its twin city, Nogales, Sonora, Mexico (Ambos Nogales), are on the international border separating the United States and Mexico. The Arizona city serves as both the economic, educational and cultural capital and the county seat of Santa Cruz County, the smallest and southernmost of Arizona's counties. The city enjoys moderate year-round weather because of its high Sonoran Desert setting at an elevation of 3,865 feet. Nogales was established in 1880 by Jacob and Isaac Isaacson, who built a trading post along the international border. Two years later, Nogales was the site of the first rail connection between Mexico and the United States. The city was incorporated in 1893.

Principal Economic Activities

Boasting 200 years of entrepreneurship, mercantilism and international commerce through three ports of entry, Nogales’ economy thrives on international trade, manufacturing, tourism and related services. The Ambos Nogales region is home to one of the largest cooperative manufacturing (maquiladora) clusters in North America, with more than 110 companies located in the region. It is also home to America’s largest port of entry for Mexican produce—more than five billion pounds of fruits and vegetables enter through Nogales’ Mariposa Port each year. Mexican shoppers cross the border and generate more than 60% of Nogales’ sales tax revenue.

Scenic Attractions

The city of Nogales and Santa Cruz County have 200 properties listed in the National Register of Historic Sites, two of which are Tumacacori National Monument, visited by Father Kino in 1691, and Tubac Presidio, established by the Spanish in 1752 on an Indian village site. Other sites include the Old Tubac Schoolhouse, Old Nogales City Hall, Santa Cruz County Courthouse and Patagonia Railroad Depot. The Patagonia-Sonoita Creek Sanctuary, 19 miles east, attracts worldwide visitors to see its diverse bird life. Nogales’ original city hall houses the Pimeria Alta Historical Society Museum. Nearby are Parker Canyon, Pena Blanca Lake and Patagonia Lake State Park. Visitors also enjoy area ghost towns, mining camps and wineries near Sonoita and Elgin.

Community Facilities

Educational institutions in Nogales include the University of Arizona-Santa Cruz, Cochise College and Nogales Unified School District.

Nogales is home to Carondelet Holy Cross Hospital, a 56-bed facility, and Mariposa Community Health Center which operates three health centers in Nogales and Santa Cruz County. Nogales International Airport serves Nogales and Santa Cruz County with a 7,200-foot runway that accommodates private passenger service and specialty air cargo operations. The City of Nogales has a wide range of recreational facilities including nine parks, a museum, an art gallery, two recreation centers, two swimming pools, six athletic fields, a library, four tennis courts and three nearby golf courses.