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New Mexico Quick Facts

In the southwestern region of the country, New Mexico was originally inhabited by American Indian populations and since has been part of New Spain, Mexico and a U.S. territory. Because of this heritage, the state has the highest percentage of residents of Hispanic descent, at 43%, and the third-highest percentage of American Indians after Alaska and Oklahoma. Tribes still in existence here mostly concist of the Navajo and Pueblo tribes. The combination of Indian, Mexican and American cultures give the state a distinct heritage and environment. New Mexico is home to around 2 million residents and is home to a dry climate, with most of its area covered by mountains and desert. The capital is Santa Fe and the largest city is Albuquerque. The state does not have much water in forms of lakes, with only about 250 square miles of surface water and only an average of 15 inches of rain per year. The Rio Grande does run through the northern part of the state along the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, the southernmost portions of the Rocky Mountains. Federally protected areas in the state include Carson National Forest, Cibola National Forest, Lincoln National Forest, Santa Fe National Forest and Gila National Forest.

Oil and gas production, tourism, and federal government operations are the largest drivers of the economy here. in 2006 the state's output made up 3.4% of the nation's crude oil, 8.5% of its dry natural gas and 10.2% of its natural gas liquids. Much of the state's federal work is for the military, as the state is home to three air force bases, a testing range, an Army proving ground and maneuver range. There are also two federal labs: Los Alamos National Laboratory and Sandia National Laboratories. The state's main airport is in Albuquerque, as are natural history and atomic museums and the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta. The state is home to eight public colleges, including the University of New Mexico and its five campuses, about half a dozen private four-year schools and a number of community colleges.