El Paso, on the Mexican border, is a popular winter tourist destination because of its international feel, warm dry climate and proximity to the Rio Grande. The name El Paso is a shortened version of El Paso del Rio del Norte (the pass through the river of the north), given to the river valley by conquistador Juan de Oñate. Through this juncture, Spanish explorers found their way into what is now America. “The Equestrian,” a 36-foot-tall statue of Juan de Oñate, stands at the entrance to El Paso International Airport. Learn More...