Search results
News about New Mexico, Powerball, abandoned oil wells
News about New Mexico State, Seth McGowan, WKU
Also in the news
Apr 27, 2022 · Travel. 18 Top Things to Do in New Mexico. With breathtaking desert landscapes and a bevy of one-of-a-kind attractions, it's no surprise New Mexico calls itself the Land of Enchantment. By...
- Overview
- Relief
- Drainage
New Mexico, constituent state of the United States of America. It became the 47th state of the union in 1912. New Mexico ranks fifth among the 50 U.S. states in terms of total area and is bounded by Colorado to the north, Oklahoma and Texas to the east, Texas and the Mexican states of Chihuahua and Sonora to the south, and Arizona (which was part of the Territory of New Mexico from 1850 to 1863) to the west. At its northwestern corner New Mexico joins Arizona, Utah, and Colorado in the only four-way meeting of states in the United States. The capital of New Mexico is Santa Fe.
The area that is New Mexico was claimed by Spain in the 16th century, became part of Mexico in 1821, and was ceded to the United States in 1848 (through the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo). Tensions between New Mexico’s Spanish American (Hispano), Native American, and Anglo populations are a continuing reminder of the bitter antagonisms that characterized the state’s long history; these tensions drive such novels as N. Scott Momaday’s House Made of Dawn (1968), Rudolfo Anaya’s Bless Me, Ultima (1972), Leslie Marmon Silko’s Ceremony (1974), and John Nichols’s The Milagro Beanfield War (1974), all of which are part of the modern New Mexican literary canon. As part of the American Southwest, New Mexico shares the “Old West” legacy of cattle drives, cowboys, and clashes between pioneers and Native Americans. Indeed, from the vastness of its slice of the Great Plains to the rough, weather-scored peaks of its mountain ranges, New Mexico retains much of its frontier flavour.
New Mexico has some of the flattest land as well as some of the most rugged mountains in the country. Some portions of the state are rich in pine forests, meadows, and fish-laden mountain streams, while other areas are devoid of any water bodies, and even cacti struggle to survive. The eastern third of the state is an extension of the Great Plains that includes the Llano Estacado (“Staked Plain”), so named because of its abundance of spiky agaves (century plants). The Rocky Mountains extend into the north-central part of the state. Southwest of the Rockies is part of the Basin and Range Province, consisting of mountain ranges running in a north-south direction interspersed with valleys that are indispensable to agriculture and grazing. Northwestern New Mexico, part of the Colorado Plateau, is characterized by unique volcanic formations that are a result of past lava flows. This region also contains many plains and short mountain ranges.
Britannica Quiz
U.S. State Capitals Quiz
The average elevation ranges from 5,000 to 8,000 feet (1,500 to 2,500 metres) above sea level in the northwest to less than 4,000 feet (1,250 metres) in the southeast. More than four-fifths of the state is higher than 4,000 feet above sea level. The highest mountain peaks, Wheeler Peak (13,161 feet [4,011 metres]) and Truchas Peak (13,103 feet [3,994 metres]), are in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains in the north-central part of the state. The lowest elevation, 2,842 feet (866 metres), lies along Red Bluff Lake in the southeastern corner of the state.
Two of New Mexico’s most unique physical features are the caverns near Carlsbad, which are among the most spectacular natural rock formations in the world, and the extensive gypsum sand dunes at White Sands National Monument in south-central New Mexico, which were created by wind and water erosion.
Students save 67%! Learn more about our special academic rate today.
Five major river systems—the Rio Grande, the Pecos, the Canadian, the San Juan, and the Gila—drain the state. The Rio Grande, which has played an influential role in New Mexico’s history, virtually bisects the state from north to south. Agriculture in its floodplain has been significant since prehistoric times; European settlers initially lived exc...
- Santa Fe. Known as "The City Different," Santa Fe showcases a mix of Hispanic, Anglo and Native American cultures.
- Taos, NM. Taos' "Soul of the Southwest" nickname can be attributed to the town's rich cultural heritage.
- Albuquerque. Albuquerque's proximity to the Sandia Mountains and the Rio Grande make it a popular base for outdoorsy weekend getaways.
- Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument. Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument in southwest New Mexico offers a glimpse into the lives and culture of the Mogollon people, who made their homes in its caves in the late 1200s.
01 / Attractions. Must-see attractions. Chaco Culture National Historical Park. New Mexico. A 9-mile drive loops through ‘downtown Chaco,’ passing six major sites, with further opportunities to hike to more remote ruins and petroglyphs. Carlsbad Caverns National Park. Southeastern New Mexico.
- White Sands National Park. Spanning 275 square miles, White Sands National Park is the world’s largest gypsum dune field, and it looks and feels like an entirely different planet.
- Couse-Sharp Historic Site. Angelisa Murray, CEO of guided tour operator Heritage Inspirations in Taos, describes the Couse-Sharp Historic Site as a “true gem” and “one of [her] favorite museums.”
- Abiquiú. “Abiquiú is one of my favorite small towns to take our guests,” says Murray. The town, which was settled by the Spanish in the mid-18th century, looks and feels like it was plucked out of a classic Western, and visitors may even recognize it from fan-favorite flicks like Indiana Jones.
- Bandelier National Monument. Known for its magnificent mesas, canyons, and ancestral Pueblo dwellings, this national monument spans more than 33,000 acres of rugged landscape, making it a must-visit for history buffs and nature lovers alike.
New Mexico True OVERview. Drying red chili bunches hanging in bright doorways, adobe pueblos and charming casitas: Authentic New Mexico is everywhere. Mesa country, with its wild caves and yawning caverns, reflects an unspoiled landscape, while museums and galleries showcase Native American culture. Events like Gathering of Nations Pow Wow ...
People also ask
Is New Mexico a state?
Where is New Mexico located?
When did New Mexico become a state?
Which states border New Mexico?
Feb 22, 2023 · New Mexico is in the southwestern region of the United States. It covers an area of 121,697 square miles, making it the fifth-largest state in terms of land area. The state shares borders with Colorado to the north, Oklahoma and Texas to the east, Arizona to the west, and Mexico to the south.
