Top 10 Most Interesting Facts About New Mexico

1. State Motto: "Crescit eundo" (It grows as it goes).
2. State Bird: Greater Roadrunner.
3. State Flower: Yucca.
4. Santa Fe, founded in 1610, is the oldest state capital in the U.S.
5. White Sands National Park contains the largest gypsum dune field in the world.
6. New Mexico is home to 23 Native American tribes, including the Navajo Nation and 19 Pueblo communities.
7. The Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta is the largest hot air balloon festival in the world.
8. Carlsbad Caverns National Park has over 100 caves, including one of the largest underground chambers in North America.
9. New Mexico’s official state question is: "Red or green?"—referring to the choice of chile sauce.
10. Los Alamos, where the atomic bomb was developed, played a pivotal role in World War II and the Manhattan Project.

Geography of New Mexico

New Mexico’s geography is as diverse as its culture, featuring deserts, mountains, and forests. Key features include:

• Highest Point: Wheeler Peak (13,161 feet).
• Lowest Point: Red Bluff Reservoir (2,842 feet).
• Major Rivers: Rio Grande, Pecos River, and Canadian River.

A Brief History of New Mexico

New Mexico’s history is a fascinating tapestry of Native American, Spanish, and Mexican influences:

• Inhabited by Native American tribes for thousands of years, including the Pueblo, Navajo, and Apache peoples.
• Colonized by Spain in 1598 and later became part of Mexico until it was annexed by the U.S. in 1848.
• New Mexico became the 47th state on January 6, 1912.
• The state played a key role in the Manhattan Project during World War II, with the first atomic bomb test occurring at the Trinity Site in 1945.

Top 10 Things to Do in New Mexico

1. Stroll through Santa Fe’s historic downtown and visit the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum.
2. Marvel at the shimmering dunes of White Sands National Park.
3. Attend the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta in October.
4. Explore the ancient Taos Pueblo, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
5. Descend into the depths of Carlsbad Caverns National Park.
6. Hike or ski in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains near Taos.
7. Travel along the Turquoise Trail Scenic Byway connecting Albuquerque and Santa Fe.
8. Learn about New Mexico’s atomic history at Los Alamos and the Trinity Site.
9. Visit Bandelier National Monument to see ancient cliff dwellings.
10. Take in the stunning landscapes of the Rio Grande Gorge Bridge near Taos.

Top 10 Destinations in New Mexico

1. Santa Fe
2. White Sands National Park
3. Albuquerque
4. Taos Pueblo
5. Carlsbad Caverns National Park
6. Los Alamos
7. Rio Grande Gorge
8. Bandelier National Monument
9. Chaco Culture National Historical Park
10. Roswell (home to UFO lore and the International UFO Museum).

Plan Your Visit

For more information about New Mexico, visit the state’s official tourism site: New Mexico True