Geography and Climate of New Mexico
At 121,336 square miles, New Mexico is the fifth largest state in the U.S. Nicknamed "The Land of Enchantment," New Mexico is one of the Four Corner states, along with Colorado, Arizona and Utah. The state borders Mexico to the south and Texas to the southeast. Although New Mexico is a large state, it only has 250 square miles of surface water area.
The terrain in New Mexico varies considerably. Mountains and forests cover a large portion of the state, and arid dessert regions and mesas characterize the unique landscape. The Rio Grande is the main river in New Mexico. It is also the third longest river in the country.
New Mexico has an extremely arid climate. Many retirees and seasonal vacationers flock to the area, retreating to the warmer temperatures. Health conscious visitors and residents make frequent use of the many spas, alternative medicine centers and massage therapy establishments. The health benefits of the warm, arid climate have created noticeable population hikes in places like Albuquerque.
History of New Mexico
New Mexico has a storied past that has featured multiple groups of people laying claim to the state's vast territory. Modern-day New Mexico has been home to numerous Native American tribes. The state has also been part of imperial Spain's holdings. It has seen time as a possession of Mexico and a U.S. territory.
New Mexico's current composite culture is representative of the multiple layers of cultural influences that have collided in the area over the years. The state boasts large numbers of people from Mexican, Spanish and Native American heritages.
The earliest known inhabitants of New Mexico were the people of the Clovis culture. Artifacts of these pre-historic Paleo-Indians were discovered in Eastern New Mexico in the mid-1920s. By the time Western European explorers entered the region, the Pueblo peoples inhabited the area, a group that included the Apache, the Navajo and Ute cultures. In the mid-16th Century, Francisco Vasquez de Coronado ventured into modern-day New Mexico during his search for the Seven Golden Cities of Cibola.
Half a century later, Juan de Oñate founded the colony of San Juan. Native peoples clashed with the new Spanish settlers on and off over the next 100 years. The New Spain colony of New Mexico became part of the new independent Mexico state, after the Mexican War of Independence ended in 1821.
After the Mexican-American War ended in 1848, the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo ended Mexico's control of the territory, and the area became an official U.S. territory in 1850. After anti-slavery squabbles, civil war battles and more clashes with the local population, New Mexico became a state in 1912.
Demographics of New Mexico
New Mexico boasts the second-highest population of Native American peoples in the country. Native American peoples (primarily Navajos and Pueblo peoples) make up large portions of the state's northwestern region. New Mexico also has the highest percentage of people who are of Hispanic decent. The U.S. Census of 2000 indicated that 28.76 percent of the state's population speaks Spanish at home. Four percent of the population speaks Navajo.
Based on 2005 estimates, the total population of New Mexico is 1,928,384. New Mexico is a large state, but it has a very low population density (about 15 people per square mile). Only five states in the U.S. have lower population densities. Many retirees relocate to the state because of the wide-open terrain and sparse population.
Learn more here: New Mexico QuickFacts from the US Census Bureau
Economy of New Mexico
Based on 2003 estimates, New Mexico has a gross state product of $57 billion. That same year, New Mexico had an estimated per capita income of $24,995. Agriculture plays a large role in the state's economy, with cattle, hay, dairy products, chilies and nursery stock making up large segments of the state's total revenue. Other popular state industries include tourism, petroleum and coal products, stone, glass, electric equipment, food processing and clay products.
New Mexico Law and Government
The capital city of New Mexico is Santa Fe. The state legislature contains a 70-member house of representatives and a 42-member senate. Democrats maintain a majority in the bicameral state legislature.
Democratic Governor Bill Richardson won reelection in 2006. His current term expires in 2011. New Mexico has U.S. Senators from both sides of the aisle. Jeff Bingaman, whose term expires in 2013, is a democrat. Pete V. Comenici, whose term expires in 2009, is a republican. New Mexico has three representatives in the U.S. House of Representative. Two of these reps are republican and one is a democrat.
New Mexico Transportation
I-40 runs through the state in an east-west route. I-25 runs north and south, and both of these interstates intersect in Albuquerque. I-10 runs horizontally through the southwest corner of the state towards Las Cruces. Historic Route 66 also runs through New Mexico.
In addition to major interstate highways, a large number of U.S. Routes also run through the state. Historic Route 66 used to run through the state as well.
A commuter rail system, the New Mexico Rail Runner, services the metro-Albuquerque area.
There are plans to expand the rail system to Santa Fe by 2008.
The Amtrak Southwest Chief also runs through Albuquerque, Lamy, Gallup and Raton. This train offers connecting services throughout the Midwest and Southwest.
There are international airports in Albuquerque and Las Cruces, and a variety of municipal and regional airports servicing other cities in the state.
Find out more at the New Mexico Department of Transportation
Major Cities and Towns of New Mexico
Located in the center of New Mexico, Albuquerque is the largest city in the state. It rests along the Rio Grande, and it is one of the fastest growing cities in the country. Communities are popping up at a rapid pace along the outskirts of the greater-metro Albuquerque area. The city hosts the New Mexico State Fair and the annual pow-wow event that brings together Native American tribes from across the U.S.
Santa Fe, the state capital, is home to a flourishing art community. The city features amazing museums that highlight Native American art and culture, modern art and Spanish colonial artifacts. The Georgia O'Keeffe Museum is located in Santa Fe, as is the Santa Fe Indian Market, the largest and longest running Native American art showcase on the planet.
Roswell, New Mexico is the fifth largest city in the site. The city attracts millions of UFO-lovers each year. The fabled 1947 Roswell UFO incident has made the area a haven for extra-terrestrial enthusiasts.
New Mexico Educational System
The University of New Mexico and New Mexico State University are the two largest centers of postsecondary education in the state. Both universities established in the late-1880s. The University of New Mexico's main campus is in Albuquerque, but the university also has campuses in Gallaup, Los Alamos, Taos and Valencia County. New Mexico University is located in Las Cruces.
Find out more: New Mexico Public Education Department (NMPED)
New Mexico Real Estate Communities and Featured Properties
Valle del Sol in Carrizozo, New Mexico
Stone Mountain Ranch near Fort Sumner, New Mexico
River Ranches in Watrous, New Mexico
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