Nickname: The Land of Enchantment
Capital: Santa Fe
Largest City: Albuquerque
Statehood: Achieved on January 6, 1912 (47th state)
Population (2024 est.): ~2.1 million
Region: Southwestern United States
Bordering States: Arizona, Colorado, Oklahoma, Texas, Utah (via the Four Corners)
Borders with Country: Mexico (to the south)
Climate
Overall Climate: Semi-arid to arid, with wide temperature swings between day and night
Summers: Hot and dry in desert regions, mild in higher elevations
Winters: Cold in northern/mountain regions with snow; mild in the south
Monsoon Season: July to September brings sudden thunderstorms
Major Cities
Albuquerque – Largest city, cultural and economic hub
Santa Fe – Capital city, known for art, architecture, and history
Las Cruces – Near Mexico border, agricultural and education center
Rio Rancho – Suburban growth near Albuquerque
Roswell – Famous for UFO incident and aerospace connections
Top Universities
University of New Mexico (UNM) – Albuquerque
New Mexico State University (NMSU) – Las Cruces
New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology (New Mexico Tech) – Socorro
Eastern New Mexico University (ENMU) – Portales
Western New Mexico University (WNMU) – Silver City
Notable Scientists & Politicians
Scientists
- J. Robert Oppenheimer – Physicist, led Manhattan Project in Los Alamos
- Edward Teller – Worked on hydrogen bomb development in New Mexico
Politicians
- Bill Richardson – Former Governor, U.S. Ambassador to the UN, and Secretary of Energy
- Ben Ray Luján – Current U.S. Senator
- Michelle Lujan Grisham – Current Governor (as of 2024)
