Outline of New Mexico
New Mexico, a Southwestern state of the United States, is called the Land of Enchantment because of its scenic beauty and rich history. Every year, thousands of tourists go to this state for hunting, fishing, skiing, or sightseeing. New Mexico is the fifth largest state in area. Only Alaska, Texas, California, and Montana have a greater area. But the state is thinly populated. Mountain ranges, rugged canyons, and rocky deserts cover much of New Mexico.
A person vacationing in New Mexico might see the state as a land of beautiful scenery, Spanish fiestas, and Indian ceremonies. But a scientist would think of New Mexico as a center of research into rockets and nuclear energy. An oil company executive might regard the state as a rich source of gasoline for automobiles, or of natural gas for cooking and heating. A retired couple might choose to make their home in the southern part of New Mexico because its location and high altitude provide warm, sunny days and cool nights. A rancher might be impressed by New Mexico's vast stretches of grazing land.
Much of New Mexico's growing industry springs from the science of the nuclear age. The first atomic bomb was built and exploded in New Mexico in 1945. Today, scientists in New Mexico search for a way to make space rockets travel on nuclear power. Other scientists develop ways to use nuclear power for generating electricity, or work on improving nuclear weapons for defense.
New Mexico's colorful past gives the state important tourist attractions. Still standing are the ruins of an apartment house with about 800 rooms built by the Indians hundreds of years before Columbus arrived in America. Spain ruled the land for more than 220 years. The Spanish influence may be seen today in the names of places, in the churches of early missionaries, in foods, and in customs and holidays. Colorful people such as Kit Carson, Geronimo, and Billy the Kid played major parts in the history of the New Mexico area in territorial days.
Most New Mexicans are descended from one of the three major groups that settled the area-Indians, Spaniards, and English-speaking Americans. New Mexico has a higher percentage of Indians and Hispanics than any other state. About 42 percent of the people are Hispanic, and nearly 10 percent are Indian. The way of life of the Indians may be much like that of their ancestors. The Indians might live in a pueblo (village) or on a reservation. The Spanish influence shows in place names, foods, and customs. Many New Mexicans speak both English and Spanish. Non-Hispanic whites, the state's largest group, account for about 45 percent of the population. New Mexico has small numbers of African Americans and Asians.
The Rio Grande runs like a backbone down the length of New Mexico. At the state's southern boundary it turns east and forms the border between Texas and Mexico. A series of dams stores water for irrigation. Elephant Butte Dam, near Truth or Consequences, blocks the Rio Grande and forms Elephant Butte Reservoir, New Mexico's largest lake. Its water irrigates land in New Mexico, Texas, and Mexico. Another important river is the Pecos. It rises in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, and then flows south. The Pecos provides irrigation water for the land around Carlsbad and Roswell. The San Juan River drains the northwest corner of the state. The Canadian River rises in the northeast part. Its waters are stored for irrigation at the Conchas Dam, near Tucumcari. The Gila River, in the southwest, flows west into Arizona.
New Mexico's scenery and outdoor activities attract visitors throughout the year. The state offers skiing in winter, fishing in spring and summer, and hunting in the fall. Scenic beauty ranges from rose-colored deserts to snow-capped mountains. Lovers of history can visit Indian ruins, frontier forts, and Spanish missions. Indian ceremonies, Spanish fiestas, and local rodeos are among the most interesting events for visitors. The dates of events may vary from year to year, and among the different tribes and pueblos. Numerous Indian ceremonies are held throughout the year. Tourists visiting New Mexico contribute billions of dollars to its economy each year.
Many other historical features capture the interest of visitors to New Mexico. Within the state remain portions of the oldest road established by Europeans in the United States. This route, called El Camino Real (the Royal Highway), was first traveled about 1581. Santa Fe, the capital of New Mexico, ranks as the oldest seat of government in the United States. It was founded as the capital of a Spanish province as early as 1609 or 1610. The largest city in New Mexico is Albuquerque, which the Spaniards founded in 1706.
