Sonora is a state in northwestern Mexico, bordering the states of Chihuahua to the east, Sinaloa to the south, and Baja California to the northwest. To the north Sonora accounts for a long stretch of the U.S.-Mexico border adjacent to the U.S. states of Arizona and New Mexico; to the west it borders the Gulf of California (Sea of Cortez).
Sonora is important economically for its cattle production and mining, and popular among tourists for its fine beaches. Culturally it is important as a source of Norteño style music.
Cities with airports serving as points of entry include Hermosillo (the state capital), Ciudad Obregón, Navojoa, and Guaymas. Smaller towns popular with tourists that have airports include Puerto Peñasco and Álamos. Border crossings include: the city of Nogales, across the border from Nogales, Arizona; the town of Agua Prieta, across from Douglas, Arizona; Sonoyta, opposite Lukeville, Arizona; Sasabe, opposite Sasabe, Arizona and San Luis Rio Colorado opposite Yuma, Arizona.
Sonora y Sinaloa was the name of the constituent state of the Mexican Republic under its Constitution of 1824. On 30 September 1830 that state was divided into two – the states of Sonora and Sinaloa. Father Eusebio Kino is important in the state's history.
Eduardo Bours Castelo, a member of the PRI, is the current governor.
Sonora is subdivided into 72 municipios. See municipalities of Sonora.