Why El Paso–Juárez
El Paso–Juárez, also known as the Borderplex or Paso del Norte, is a major binational conurbation situated along the United States–Mexico border. Centered on Ciudad Juárez in Chihuahua, Mexico, and El Paso, Texas, in the United States, the region also encompasses nearby Las Cruces, New Mexico. Home to more than 2.4 million people, it represents the second-largest urban cluster on the border and contains the Western Hemisphere's largest bilingual, binational workforce. The area is divided by state boundaries into distinct metropolitan sectors, yet its communities function as an interconnected regional environment across the Rio Grande.
Set within the Chihuahuan Desert, the region's landscape sits at a typical elevation of approximately 4,000 feet. The dramatic Franklin Mountains slice through the area, culminating at North Franklin Peak, while the Rio Grande carves through a rift near the southern end of the range. Nearby natural landmarks include Mt. Cristo Rey, a volcanic pluton, alongside volcanic craters such as Kilbourne Hole and Hunt's Hole. The area features notable recreational spaces, including Franklin Mountains State Park—the largest urban park in the United States—as well as Ascarate Park, Parque Chamizal, Parque Central, and Rio Bosque Park.
Human history in the valley spans thousands of years, evidenced by ancient Folsom points left by hunter-gatherers at Hueco Tanks. Early maize farmers and indigenous groups, including the Manso, Suma, Jumano, and Mescalero Apache, originally inhabited the region. Spanish explorer Don Juan de Oñate arrived in 1598, and Mission Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe was established in 1659. The arrival of major transcontinental railroads in 1881 spurred rapid growth, transforming the locality into an expanding center for commerce, industry, and military activity.
Today, the Borderplex is a prominent international trade point and manufacturing hub, home to hundreds of production plants, including the maquiladoras of Ciudad Juárez. Military spending centered around Fort Bliss provides a substantial economic foundation for the area, alongside commercial call centers and medical facilities. Higher education plays a key role in regional life, supported by major institutions such as the University of Texas at El Paso, the Autonomous University of Ciudad Juárez, New Mexico State University, and the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center El Paso.
The region experiences an arid desert climate moderated by its high altitude. Summers are hot, while spring and autumn bring mild weather. Winters are cool, with average daytime highs around 14 °C (57 °F) and night lows near 1 °C (34 °F). Light snowfall typically occurs once or twice each winter, and rainfall is minimal, occurring primarily during the summer months.
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