
Puerto Peñasco is also known as Rocky Point, or even Rocky Point Mexico. People commonly refer the seaside resort town by these different names. However, what often gets left out by tourists visiting Sonora is the name of the state. So, you are in the right place if you want to learn a thing or two about this beautiful Mexican beautiful state.
There is another layer to Sonora being overlooked. You could call it a state of confusion. This is because many visitors enter Sonora through the Lukeville, Arizona Port of Entry. They first reach Mexico in the northern border town of Sonoyta. However, people often mistakenly confuse the similar names of the town of Sonoyta with the state of Sonora.
Sonora – The 12th Mexican State

In 2024, Sonora celebrated its 200th birthday as a state. It officially became the 12th Mexican state on January 10, 1824. Today, Mexico has a total of 31 states. They make up a collection known as the Federal Entities of Mexico.
Sonora is the second largest state in the country by size with an area of 69,249 square miles. Only Chihuahua, its neighbor to the east, is larger. (By some 25,000 square miles). The state of Baja California is the only land to its west. Sinaloa is the state just south of Sonora. It shares the eastern coast along the Gulf of California. Meanwhile, to the north in the United States, Sonora has Arizona and New Mexico as bordering neighbors.
Governor

Native son, Dr. Alfonso Durazo Montaño became Governor of Sonora in September of 2021. Governor Durazo is a member of the National Regeneration Movement, commonly known as the (MORENA) political party. Previously, Dr. Durazo had built a well-known profile nationally. He became a strong figure in Mexico politics as the private secretary and chief spokesperson of former President Vicente Fox.
Cities and Population in Sonora

There are 72 municipalities in Sonora. Hermosillo is the capital and is strategically in the center part of the state. It is also the largest city in the state by far. Hermosillo has an estimated population of 855,000. That accounts for roughly 30 percent of the state’s 3-million people. Furthermore, Hermosillo has over a half million more residents than the second largest city of Ciudad Obregón.
The city of Puerto Peñasco is the 9th largest in the state. However, it is the most popular tourism destination in Sonora. Because of its proximity to the U.S. Mexico border, Puerto Peñasco is the “go to” beach resort town of choice for Americans. Mainly they visit from California, Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas.
Protected Wildlife Areas
More than 10% of Sonora is designated as protected wildlife areas. It covers 7,129 square miles to be exact, about twice the size of Puerto Rico. The state’s most popular protected area is the El Pinacate biosphere reserve. It is part of the Altar Desert, and more than likely you pass by it on visits to and from Puerto Peñasco.
The El Pinacate biosphere reserve is gorgeous nature on display. It features massive dormant volcano area. It is a site is frequently visited by researchers and civilians alike. El Pinacate is well worth your time, especially if you are a photography or outdoors enthusiast.

State Economy
Aside from tourism, the Sonora economy is similar to other states in the Northwest region of Mexico. Agriculture is very important. Farmers in this part of the country produce grains, fruits, vegetables, and more.
Fishing is also a key industry. In fact, there are often claims of overfishing in the sea. Livestock is another important industry, as is mining. In fact, the state of Sonora has the largest mining surface in all of Mexico.
Nonetheless, the real mining for gold in Sonora is all because of the Sea of Cortez. The state is blessed with over 500 miles of beautiful gulf water coastline. In addition, the warm and sunny weather conditions make it a tourism friendly destination year-round.
Much of the Sonora state economy rides the waves of from the shores of the Sea of Cortez. The ripple effect can be seen in an array of industries in Rocky Point and across the state. The sea provides the inspiration for tourism, real estate, investment, and of course tax revenues. From restaurants and retail businesses to multi-million-dollar beachfront resorts like the Sonoran Sun in Rocky Point, the sea is the attraction so many come to see in Sonora.