Mexicali is the capital of the Mexican state of Baja California. Mexicali is also the seat of the Municipality of Mexicali. Founded on March 14, 1903, Mexicali is situated on the U.S.-Mexico border adjacent to Calexico and is the northernmost city in Latin America, located at 32°40′0″N 115°28′0″W32.66667°N 115.46667°W.

The link is emphasized by the way each city's name combines the words "Mexico" and "California." To the East of Mexicali lie the states of Arizona (USA) and Sonora (México), to the west lies the municipality of Tecate, and to the South lies the municipality of Ensenada.