New Mexico
History: Native Americans came to what is now New Mexico more than 12,000 years ago, living there for thousands of years before European exploration. In 1540, Francisco de Coronado, a Spanish explorer, came through the area in search of gold. The Spanish colonized the land starting in 1598, and founded Santa Fe in 1608. The area became part of Mexico in 1821, and was ceded (turned over) to the United States by the Treaty of Hidalgo, in 1848. New Mexico became the 47th state on January 6, 1912.
Economy: New Mexico is one of the highest producers of crude oil and natural gas in the U.S. With three air force bases, the state has a many jobs related to the military. New Mexico encourages and pays incentives for films to be produced there adding over a billion dollars (since 2003) to the economy. New Mexico offers lots of economic incentives and tax breaks on personal and corporate income; having no inheritance tax, estate tax, or sales tax. This attracts a lot of people to the state to live, work, and/or retire.
Climate: New Mexico’s climate is mostly semiarid to arid (dry) with the land being covered by mountains, high plains, and desert. In eastern New Mexico, there are the plains, mountains, basins, mesas, and desert lands. Often, in the summers the temperatures can go above 100 degrees Fahrenheit. New Mexico is known for having unusually clear skies allowing several Astronomical observatories to take advantage of great views of the sky.
Geography: Some of the flattest lands as well as the most rugged mountains are in New Mexico. Some regions are rich in pine forests, streams, and meadows. It is the fifth largest state in area. There are almost no natural water sources in New Mexico. But it does have the Rio Grande, Pecos, Canadian, San Juan, and Gila rivers running through it. The Rio Grande is one of the four longest rivers in the U.S. Millions of national forests in New Mexico are protected by the U.S. Government. New Mexico forms the southeast corner of the Four Corners, where four U.S. states meet.
Fun Facts:
- New Mexico is a significant wine producer, with over 50 wineries.
- The Taos Pueblo, a multi-story high group of buildings, has been lived in continuously for at least 1,000 years.
- Sana Fe is the highest and oldest state capitol in the U.S. The city was founded by the Spanish before the Pilgrims landed in Massachusetts.
- The state was named after the Aztec Valley of Mexico, not the country of Mexico.
- From the top of Capulin Volcano National Monument, one can see five different states; Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, and Colorado, along with New Mexico.
- It is illegal to dance in New Mexico while wearing a sombrero.
Points of Interest:
- National Monuments – Petroglyph and Gila Cliff Dwellings
- Hoodoo formations in San Juan County (Ah-Sji-Sle-Pah and Wildnerness Study Area)
- Carlsbad Caverns National Park
- Capulin Volcano
- International UFO Museum in Roswell
- White Sands National Monument
Six additional sites to visit for more information:
www.coolkidfacts.com/new-mexico
kids.nationalgeographic.com/new-mexico/
