New Mexico Travel Guide

New Mexico Travel: General Information

New Mexico is one of ‘the top-picks’ when it comes to travel destinations in the USA. Whether you speak of the snow-capped Sangre de Cristo Mountains or the dunes of the White Sands National Monument, of the Carlsbad Caverns or the surrounding national forests, the state fascinates you with its physical diversity. New Mexico’s cultural heritage represented in its ancient Native American ruins, its historical parks with Spanish haciendas, centuries-old churches, etc. make it equally enchanting. Although an encounter with extra-terrestrials is not possible, you can gather relevant information about UFOs at the International UFO Museum and Research Center in the town of Roswell. New Mexico is ideal for picking up fine Indian pottery, turquoise jewelry, et al. You will not be missing modernity either, and with enough scopes for fine-dining and shopping, you will feel the urge of going back to New Mexico again and again.

New Mexico Travel: Key Facts

Capital City: Santa Fe

Area: 315,194 sq km

Population: 1,984,356

Monetary Unit: USD

Language(s) Spoken: English, Spanish, Navajo

International Dialing Code: 001

New Mexico Travel: Popular Tourist Destinations

• Santa Fe: The capital city of New Mexico, Santa Fe, may be small in size but it has a very cultured, sophisticated ambience. Connoisseurs of art will have an experience of a lifetime in the city’s many art galleries and studios, but you cannot afford to miss a trip to the Santa Fe Indian Market. Being the oldest capital in USA, the city also has some important museums worth visiting; other attractions include the Palace of Governors and the Loretto Chapel. While the Santa Fe National Forest presents to you enough scope of active pursuits like hiking, rafting, skiing, etc., Santa Fe’s spas and its gourmand restaurants will be the perfect choice if you are out to pamper yourself. Santa Fe is a good base for exploring other nearby attractions like the Old Santa Fe Trail, El Rancho de las Golondrinas, the Indian Peublos in the Rio Grande valley and the resort-town of Taos.

• Albuquerque: Albuquerque is the biggest city of New Mexico. Although the city’s chief attraction is the International Balloon Fiesta held in October each year, Albuquerque is a Nature/adventure lover’s true call. The city’s nearby regions like the Sandia Mountains promise you many recreational activities like golfing, mountain biking, skiing. If sights like the Indian Peublo Cultural Center and the Chaco Culture National Historic Park give you a better understanding of Native American culture, the Petroglyph National Monument is where you can check out pre-historic and historic rock-carvings. The city also has quite a few amusement parks and bio-parks/gardens apart from its cultural centers and museums. With its restaurants, shopping centers and night-life venues, Albuquerque holidays can get truly rewarding.

• Roswell: Roswell, the fifth largest city of New Mexico, has become a sort-of-pilgrimage for UFO-enthusiasts following the 1947 Roswell UFO Incident (in which an Unidentified Flying Object carrying extra-terrestrials is said to have crash-landed at a site in Roswell). You can check out the collected debris of the UFO at the Roswell International UFO Museum and Research Center.

New Mexico Travel: Economy and Infrastructure

New Mexico’s economy is based on the three pillars of Oil and Natural Gas Production, Federal Government spending and tourism. Agriculture, both land-farming and cattle-rearing is practiced in New Mexico. Energy production and manufacturing are among other important industries. The state government has planned economic incentives for businesses, especially high-tech industries, for more and more job creation.

New Mexico has always had a passable transportation infrastructure because it was an important link in the trading route in the pre-Columbian days and even in the colonial era. With the growing commercial and military significance of New Mexico (as part of USA), the transportation links have been further strengthened. Speaking of energy generation, although New Mexico is rich in fossil fuel deposits (coal, natural gas and oil), the state has made enough progress in energy production from renewable sources like wind power and geothermal power.

New Mexico Travel: Culture

New Mexico has a mixed, heterogeneous culture. The region has been inhabited since the days of the Paleo-Indians and has since been home to various Native American people; some among these like the Apaches, Navajos, Peublos and Utes continue to live in separate reserves set apart for them. Of course, it is not only the Indian tribes that make up the cultural framework of New Mexico, for the Spanish, Hispanics and even the Anglo-American community have had a profound influence on the New Mexican culture.