Explore a destination located in New Mexico, United States
New Mexico was declared a state in the United States of America in the year 1912 on February 14th.[15] The capital of the state is Santa Fe, and the nickname that has been given to the state is "land of enchantment." The area has many things to do and to visit for anyone traveling through. There are 3 national parks, 7 national forests, and 32 other state parks in this state alone.[1] Albuquerque and Santa Fe are two of the most popular places that tourists choose to visit. These cities both have extensive histories and cultures that perhaps help them be both entertaining and educational. These cities are both ranked as the best ones to visit in the state and are both in the top 15 places to visit during the fall.[2] It is said that the most popular times to visit the state of New Mexico are from September to November. During this time, the weather is generally temperate rather than very hot or very cold, and there are some popular events that take place many visitors have enjoyed participating in.[3]
New Mexico has been a part of the United States of America for almost 110 years, having been declared a state in the year 1912 on February 14th, becoming the 47th state out of the 50.[1] There are over 2 million people living in the area. A large percentage of these residents live in the city of Albuquerque, which has about 500,000 people living within its limits.[5] Of all of the people living in New Mexico, the majority are Hispanic. Spanish and English are the most commonly spoken languages in the region, with Navajo being the next most represented language.[4]
The two most popular cities in New Mexico that people tend to visit are Albuquerque and Santa Fe. Both of these cities are very popular in the fall and have a lot of history and culture. Albuquerque started as a small place called Old Town and is now filled with cobblestone streets and brightly colored huts. These huts are typically galleries, restaurants, and souvenir shops. Old Town was founded in 1706 and has expanded since, creating what we now know as Albuquerque. Many of the original Hispanic and Native American roots can still be found in the large city. Hispanic flavors are in many of the city's restaurants, while Native American arts and crafts are seen in windows and shops. One of the most popular events in Albuquerque is the International Balloon Fiesta, where hundreds of hot air balloons are launched into the sky for thousands of people to witness.[2]
Santa Fe is ranked as the number one place to visit when in New Mexico. The city is very colorful and is filled with various art forms. There is an abundance of history that is celebrated in several festivals throughout the year. Museums and markets can be found all throughout the city to teach people about both the history and encourage visitors to be a part of the culture. One of the most popular places tourists visit while in the city is Santa Fe Plaza, a cultural hub. The plaza has many ancient and historical buildings along with restaurants, cultural art galleries, and, of course, souvenir shops.[2]
There is an extensive list of other activities that visitors to the region can do while they spend time there. Some of these include skiing during the colder months at Taos Ski Valley, driving over the Rio Grande Gorge Bridge, adventuring through Carlsbad's caves, enjoying some desserts in Pie Town, New Mexico, hiking through the Chaco Canyon Overlook, and more.[6] There are also many national parks and monuments in New Mexico. These include the Aztec Ruins, Capulin Volcano, Carlsbad Caverns National Park, and Chaco Culture National Historical Park. Almost all of these locations have scenic views and places to explore, including hikes, cliffs, and caves. Many of the visitors to this state choose to spend a couple of days in these places.[7] Because of this expansive list of activities, New Mexico is known as a place that people can visit at virtually any time of the year. Typically, though, people enjoy going after the major heat of the summer, traveling there during September - November.[3]
New Mexico sits on the border of American and Mexico. Chihuahua is located directly south of the state, while Texas is on the east and Arizona is on the west. To the north of New Mexico is the state of Colorado. The climate of the state varies depending on where a person goes. There are many mountains in the area that have a climate similar to that of the Rocky Mountains. Generally, however, the state has a mild climate consisting of light precipitation throughout various areas, a large amount of sunshine, and low humidity.[9] The state's most populated city, Albuquerque, has its coldest month at the beginning of the year, being January. The average temperature overnight at this time is about 23°F. The warmest month for the city is in July. The average daytime temperature can rise up to about 92°F.[8]
New Mexico's motto is "crescit eundo," meaning "it grows as it goes." This applies to the people in the state and the various wildlife in the area.[1] Because of the various climates and topography, many different kinds of animals and plants live in the area.[11] Common plants that grow in the region are the scarlet hedgehog cactus, the ocotillo, the Texas rainbow cactus, and more. Animals that can be found in the area are the mule dear, red-tailed hikes, western diamond-backed rattlesnake, and a variety of other birds, mammals, and reptiles.[10] The state bird is the roadrunner, the state tree is the piñon, and the state animal is the black bear.[1]
The main crops that New Mexico is best known for are its piñon nuts, pinto beans, and chiles. Some of the larger crops grown and sold include hay, pecan, chile peppers, and nursery stock. New Mexico also produces cattle, a variety of dairy products, onions, and potatoes.[13]
Much of the state's land is owned by the government and used as national forests, parks, and monuments. This allows people to visit many natural areas of the state and protects the land and its wildlife. About 1/3 of New Mexico is under this direction—the tenth highest percentage of government-owned land within a state.[11]
One of these national forests protected by the government is Carson National Forest. This national forest spans nearly one and a half million acres, rising in elevation from about 6 thousand feet to about 13 thousand. One can do many recreational activities while visiting the park, including fishing, camping, hiking, exploring, and hunting. Another national forest protected by the government is the Gila National Forest. Gila National Forest is known as the "first wilderness" in the United States. The forest has more than double the acreage than Carson, sitting at about 3.3 million acres of forested hills. Recreational activities available there are similar to those at Carson, bringing many tourists to the area.[17]
It is believed that New Mexico was first settled 10 thousand years ago by Pueblo Indians. These people were very sophisticated and built many buildings that still exist today. Ruins can be found in various places throughout the state—preserved and watched over as monuments. Other peoples have also been identified, and their architectural ruins have been preserved in the Pecos National Historical Park and the Chaco Culture National Historical Park. Spanish explorers were the first European explorers to arrive in New Mexico. Francisco Vásquez de Coronado led an expedition in 1540, and later the Spanish people built their own settlements in the 1590s.[14]
In the early 1600s, Pedro de Peralta was established as the governor over the area of New Mexico. He founded the capital of Santa Fe, which is the current capital of the state today. There were many uprisings and wars between New Mexico and Spain, which eventually led to the area's independence in the year 1821, and it became a province of Mexico. Trade was soon established between the region and the United States. Many traders drove their wagons on the Sante Fe Trail.[15]
Many people in the United States desired to have the land of New Mexico, which eventually led to the Mexican War. After some time, a treaty gave New Mexico to America, though the tensions were still very high. Feuds, disagreements, and fights occurred regularly throughout the early years of the occupied territory, usually due to wars being fought in the United States and local conflicts between the people. Despite all of these issues and strife, the territory survived and was made the 47th state of the United States in the year 1912.[15]
Today, the state continues to grow and become a popular destination for many people looking for a place to live or travel. A large number of the region's population lives in Albuquerque, which continues to expand and change. Santa Fe is still the state capital and is full of culture and history. Many national forests, parks, and monuments have been sanctioned in order to preserve the history and culture of the many peoples who have lived in and made New Mexico what it is today.[16]
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