State of New Mexico
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| State of New Mexico | |
|---|---|
| Name | New Mexico |
| Motto | Crescit eundo (It grows as it goes) |
| Anthem | "O Fair New Mexico" and "Así Es Nuevo México" |
| Capital | Santa Fe |
| Largest city | Albuquerque |
| Admission date | January 6, 1912 (47th) |
| Governor | Michelle Lujan Grisham (D) |
| Legislature | New Mexico Legislature |
| Upper house | New Mexico Senate |
| Lower house | New Mexico House of Representatives |
| U.S. Senate | Martin Heinrich (D), Ben Ray Luján (D) |
| U.S. House | 2 Democrats, 1 Republican |
| Area total sq mi | 121,590 |
| Area land sq mi | 121,298 |
| Area water sq mi | 292 |
| Area rank | 5th |
| Pop estimate | 2,114,371 |
| Pop estimate year | 2023 |
| Pop estimate rank | 36th |
| Pop density sq mi | 17.4 |
| Pop density rank | 45th |
| Median household income | $54,020 |
| Income rank | 48th |
| Official lang | English, Spanish |
State of New Mexico is a state in the Southwestern United States, admitted to the Union as the 47th state on January 6, 1912. It is bordered by Colorado to the north, Oklahoma and Texas to the east, Mexico to the south, and Arizona to the west. The state capital is Santa Fe, the oldest capital city in the U.S., while its largest city is Albuquerque. Known for its diverse landscape, rich Puebloan, Hispanic, and Anglo heritage, and significant contributions to nuclear science, it is a cultural and geographic crossroads.
History
The region has been inhabited for millennia by indigenous cultures, including the Ancestral Puebloans at sites like Chaco Culture National Historical Park and the Mogollon culture. Spanish explorers, led by Francisco Vázquez de Coronado, arrived in 1540, and the first permanent European settlement was established at San Juan de los Caballeros in 1598 under Juan de Oñate. The Pueblo Revolt of 1680 temporarily expelled Spanish colonists. The area became part of Mexico after its independence from Spain in 1821, and was later ceded to the United States following the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo in 1848 after the Mexican–American War. The New Mexico Territory was organized in 1850, experiencing conflicts such as the Apache Wars and the Lincoln County War. Statehood was achieved in 1912, and during World War II, the state played a pivotal role with the Los Alamos National Laboratory and the Trinity test near Alamogordo.
Geography
New Mexico features diverse terrain, from the high, forested peaks of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains in the north to the low, arid Chihuahuan Desert in the south. Major geographic features include the Rio Grande, which bisects the state, the vast Llano Estacado in the east, and the stark beauty of the White Sands National Park. Other significant landscapes are the Carlsbad Caverns National Park, the Bisti/De-Na-Zin Wilderness, and the Valles Caldera. The state's climate is generally arid to semiarid, with significant temperature variations.
Demographics
New Mexico has one of the highest percentages of Hispanic and Native American residents of any U.S. state. Major groups include the Navajo Nation, Pueblo communities such as Taos Pueblo and Acoma Pueblo, and descendants of Spanish colonists. Significant populations reside in the Albuquerque metropolitan area, Las Cruces, and Santa Fe. The state is also home to several United States Air Force installations, including Holloman Air Force Base and Kirtland Air Force Base.
Economy
Key economic sectors include federal government spending, particularly at national laboratories like Sandia National Laboratories and Los Alamos National Laboratory, and military bases. The state is a major producer of oil and natural gas, especially in the Permian Basin. Other important industries are tourism, drawing visitors to sites like Santa Fe Plaza and the Georgia O'Keeffe Museum, and agriculture, including ranching and the cultivation of chile peppers and pecans. The film and television industry has a significant presence, supported by incentives and the work of the New Mexico Film Office.
Culture
New Mexico's culture is a unique blend of Native American, Hispanic, and Anglo influences. This is evident in its distinctive architecture, cuisine featuring dishes like green chile stew and sopaipillas, and vibrant arts scene centered in Santa Fe and Taos. The state hosts numerous festivals, including the Santa Fe Indian Market, the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, and Spanish Market. It has a rich literary and artistic heritage associated with figures like Georgia O'Keeffe, D.H. Lawrence, and Rudolfo Anaya.
Government and politics
The government operates under the Constitution of New Mexico, with an executive branch led by the Governor of New Mexico, a bicameral New Mexico Legislature consisting of the New Mexico Senate and the New Mexico House of Representatives, and a judiciary headed by the New Mexico Supreme Court. The state's politics are competitive, though the Democratic Party has held most statewide offices in recent years. New Mexico has voted for the Democratic presidential candidate in every election since 2008. Its congressional delegation includes U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich and Ben Ray Luján. Notable political figures from the state include former Secretary of the Interior Manuel Lujan Jr. and former Secretary of Energy Bill Richardson.
Category:New Mexico Category:States of the United States Category:1912 establishments in the United States