The municipality of Nogales is on the northern limit of the Mexican state of Sonora and borders with the North American Arizona State. Of moderate climate, the city registers soft summers and cold winters with occasional snowfall.

The city of Nogales was born from the need of the Compañía de Ferrocarriles de Sonora to have a railway station on the border, requesting it in 1880. Soon after, the federal government, foreseeing the region's commercial potential, decided to open a customs house in the same desolate territory. There had not been any human settlements until then, except for some small farms dispersed throughout the region.

Both industries prompted the development of a new town, consolidating it as a municipality in 1884, as villa in 1889 and finally as city in 1920.

Currently, the city and border of Nogales has a strong economy supported by commercial activities proper of its frontier vocation as manufacturing plants for exports and the customs activity; as well as the service sector and cattle exports.