Geography Circuit

POPULATION: 2,115,877 (2021) – 37th, similar to Slovenia, Lesotho

AREA: 314,917 km² or 121,590 mi² – 5th, similar to Poland, Oman

CAPITAL: Santa Fe

OTHER MAJOR CITIES: Albuquerque, Las Cruces, Rio Rancho, Roswell, Farmington, Hobbs, Clovis, South Valley, Carlsbad

LANDMARKS:

White Sands National Park: World’s largest gypsum dune field, spanning over 200 square miles; Located in the Tularosa Basin; Surrounded by a namesake missile range

Los Alamos National Laboratory: Birthplace of the atomic bomb; First created as part of Project Y in 1942; Has in recent decades diversified into other fields, like genetics

Carlsbad Caverns National Park: Large cave system known for its stalactites, stalagmites, and other limestone formations; the Big Room is the largest underground chamber in North America

Sandia Crest: Ridge east of Albuquerque in Cibola National Forest; Popular recreation destination; Home to longest aerial tramway in North America

Wheeler Peak: Highest point in New Mexico; located near Taos Ski Valley and Taos Pueblo, one of the oldest continuously inhabited settlements in the US

Shiprock: Prominent inselberg in northwest New Mexico; important to Navajo, Anasazi, and Pueblo cultures and tradition

Bandelier National Monument: Preserved dwellings of Ancestral Puebloans; Located on rim of Valdes Caldera, home to high biodiversity

Very Large Array: Large astronomy observatory consisting of 28 radio telescopes; helps scientists track black holes, radio emission, and investigate the universe

MAJOR BODIES OF WATER:

Rio Grande: Longest river flowing through New Mexico; bisects the state, flowing through most major population centers including Albuquerque

Pecos River: Longest tributary of Rio Grande; originates in Sangre de Cristo Mountains near Santa Fe before flowing through eastern New Mexico

Elephant Butte Reservoir: Largest lake and state park in New Mexico; Formed by a namesake dam, lies on the Rio Grande

MAJOR EXPORTS: Chile Peppers, Perlite, Turquoise, Potash, Oil, Natural Gas, Electronics (including computers, circuits, semiconductors, optic fiber cables)

FUN FACTS:

• Jeff Bezos was born in Albuquerque. Whenever you use Amazon, make sure to thank New Mexico!
• A UFO is said to have landed near Roswell. Truth? Or fiction? You decide!
• Santa Fe is the highest state capital by elevation.
• From the top of Capulin Volcano National Monument, five states including New Mexico are visible!
• Albuquerque is known as a hot-air balloon hotspot, hosting the world’s largest festival for them!

Map courtesy of Nations Online Project.

Data courtesy of Wikipedia.